A migrant sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison has been deported from the UK, the government has announced.

Hadush Kebatu was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping while living in an asylum hotel, but was mistakenly set free by prison staff last week, before being brought into custody again on Sunday.

He arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday morning having left the UK on a flight on Tuesday night.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Last week’s blunder should never have happened – and I share the public’s anger that it did. I would like to thank the police for rapidly bringing Mr Kebatu into custody and the public for their vigilance.”