New Delhi, Oct. 30 -- An Ethiopian man who was mistakenly released from a British prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager has been deported to his home country, the U.K. government said Wednesday - but only after he was paid 500 pounds ($660) to stop him disrupting the flight.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was on a flight to Ethiopia that landed Wednesday morning.

"I have pulled every lever to deport Mr. Kebatu and remove him off British soil," she said. "I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported. Our streets are safer because of it."

In a last-minute wrinkle, Kebatu threatened to disrupt the deportation flight, and imigration officials paid him to go ...