An Ethiopian asylum seeker who sparked violent anti-migrant protests across Essex faces immediate imprisonment after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old schoolgirl and a woman who tried to help him.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 41, will be sentenced on September 23, with District Judge Christopher Williams warning him to prepare for a “custodial sentence” following his conviction on multiple sex offences at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.
The case has intensified national debates over immigration policy and community safety, with Kebatu’s arrest in July triggering large-scale demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he was housed with other asylum seekers.
The Crimes
Kebatu was found guilty 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.
The court heard how Kebatu approached the teenage victim and her friends as they ate pizza in Epping town centre, making explicit comments, including telling the girl she “would be a good wife” and expressing his desire to “have a baby” with her.
Despite the girl telling him she was 14 and repeatedly saying “no,” Kebatu attempted to kiss her while she sat in her school uniform, placed his hand on her thigh, and allegedly replied that “age did not matter.”
In a separate incident, Kebatu sexually assaulted a woman who had offered to help him with his CV, attempting to kiss her and placing his hand on her leg.
Judge Williams noted that Kebatu appeared “visibly aroused” during one incident and had fabricated his version of events when he testified, finding the victims’ testimony “consistent and credible.”
Community Upheaval
Kebatu’s arrest unleashed a wave of anti-migrant demonstrations involving hundreds of protesters outside the Bell Hotel, where asylum seekers were accommodated. The protests drew far-right activists and led to violent clashes with counter-protesters.
Local authorities initially won a court injunction to stop housing asylum seekers at the hotel, but this was overturned last week following a government appeal, further inflaming tensions.
The conviction has validated protesters’ safety concerns and sustained ongoing demonstrations, with community banners emphasising public safety amid the continued presence of asylum seekers at the facility.
Broader Implications
The case has become a flashpoint in the UK’s broader immigration crisis, as the government grapples with record numbers of asylum seekers arriving via small boats across the Channel.
While officials aim to end the use of hotels for migrant accommodation, they acknowledge the transition will take time due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers.
Kebatu, who maintained his innocence throughout the three-day trial and claimed he was “not a wild animal,” now faces not only prison time but potential deportation proceedings following any custodial sentence.
The Crown Prosecution Service emphasised the seriousness of the crimes and its commitment to holding sex offenders accountable, particularly those targeting minors.
As tensions continue to simmer in Epping and across the UK, Kebatu’s sentencing later this month is expected to draw significant attention from both supporters and critics of current immigration policies.
