An Ethiopian asylum-seeker, who had been sentenced to a year in a British prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, was accidentally released on Friday, sparking an urgent police search. This individual had previously been at the center of anti-migrant protests.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, the man involved, ignited a series of protests across the UK during the summer. He was mistakenly released from a prison in Chelmsford before his scheduled deportation.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his dismay, describing the unintended release of the 38-year-old sex offender as “totally unacceptable.”

Kebatu’s earlier arrest and conviction led to significant protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, northeast of London, where he had been residing with other newly arrived migrants.

Subsequent demonstrations occurred at other hotels accommodating migrants throughout various British cities and towns. Some of these protests, attended by far-right activists, devolved into disorder.

In response, the group Stand up to Racism organized counterprotests to challenge the anti-migrant sentiment.

Kebatu had arrived in England by boat just over a week before the July day when he was adjudged to have approached the 14-year-old in Epping, attempted to kiss her and placed his hand on the girl’s thigh. They said he also sexually assaulted a female member of the public who intervened.

Kebatu’s lawyer said he wanted to be deported after serving his time in prison.

Tensions have long simmered over unauthorised migration — especially the tens of thousands of migrants crossing the English Channel in overloaded boats to reach the UK — as well as the Labour government’s policy of using hotels to house migrants who are awaiting a decision on their asylum status.

Critics say it costs taxpayers millions of pounds, while the hotels become flashpoints in communities and leave migrants feeling targeted by local residents.