Met Police released CCTV footage showing Hadush Kebatu in a library in Dalston Square, north London, on Friday evening
A migrant sex offender mistakenly released from an Essex prison was last seen in east London on Friday evening, the Metropolitan Police has said.
Hadush Kebatu was spotted shortly before 20: 00 in the Dalston area of Hackney, and extra police have been sent to the area as the search for the Ethiopian national enters a third day.
He was also picked up on CCTV at a library in Dalston Square around two hours earlier wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit and carrying a white bag with pictures of avocados on it.
Kebatu was set free from HMP Chelmsford in error four weeks after being sentenced for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex, while staying at an asylum hotel.
He had been awaiting transfer from prison to an immigration detention centre ahead of his planned deportation, but an error saw him allowed to walk free from the facility.
Prison sources have confirmed to BBC News that staff led him away and towards the train station. Kebatu also reportedly attempted to return to prison but was turned away.
He was filmed in Chelmsford speaking to members of the public shortly after he was released, and police have confirmed he has approached several people seeking assistance.
It is not clear if Kebatu, who speaks limited English, knows about the massive search under way for him.
In a direct public appeal on Saturday evening, Cmd James Conway said police wanted to locate him “in a safe and controlled way”.
He added: “You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff. The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station.”
The senior officer said Kebatu had access to funds, which BB
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