Man convicted of sexual assault in case that triggered protests against
migrants in Britain
[September 05, 2025]
LONDON (AP) — An Ethiopian man was found guilty Thursday of
sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl days after he had
sought asylum in Britain, in a case that triggered angry protests at
hotels housing migrants.
A judge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court east of London convicted Hadush
Gerberslasie Kebatu of two counts of sexual assault, one count of
attempted sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in
sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence.
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Protesters gather outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, near London, Sunday,
Aug. 31, 2025 after a temporary injunction that would have blocked
asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel was overturned. (AP
Photo/Alberto Pezzali) |
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Prosecutors said Kebatu, 41, had arrived in England by small
boat just over a week before he tried to kiss the 14-year-old on
a bench in the town of Epping, put his hand on her thigh and
stroked her hair.
He also sexually assaulted a woman who had offered to help him
with his CV by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg
and telling her she was pretty, the prosecution said.
Kebatu had denied the charges.
Judge Christopher Williams said he would sentence the defendant
on Sept. 23.
Kebatu's arrest and prosecution sparked protests outside the
Bell Hotel in Epping, where he was staying along with other
newly arrived migrants. More protests followed, in Epping and
other towns, involving local people but also organized and
attended by far-right activists. In some cases the demonstrators
were outnumbered by counterprotesters supporting refugees.
Tensions have long simmered over the British 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.
The British government has pledged to stop migrants trying to
reach Britain across the Channel and to end the use of asylum
hotels, but says it will take time.
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