🔴 EPPING MIGRANT ASSAULT TRIAL - DAY 3

• Hadush Kebatu, from Ethiopia, allegedly propositioned two teenagers "without any encouragement" after accepting an offer of food from them on 7 July
• The court hears from two boys who say they witnessed the alleged incidents, with one claiming Kebatu "kept asking" a girl “for a kiss on the cheek”
• Allegations of the incident led to a wave of anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel, where Kebatu was staying as an asylum seeker.

LIVE COURT NEWS FEED: DAY 2: 27 August

5:45 Updates
🔴 TRIAL ADJOURNED

District Judge Christopher Williams adjourns the case against Kebatu until 14:00 BST on Thursday, 4 September, pausing proceedings for the day ⬇️

🔴 CLOSING SPEECHES TO COME

The judge confirms both prosecution & defence will deliver their closing speeches when the trial resumes before he delivers a verdict ⬇️

🔴 COURTROOM EMPTIES

With the adjournment, Judge Williams rises & exits, bringing today’s proceedings to a close as the case is set to continue on the 4th of September.

5:40 Updates
🔴 “YOU ARE A SEXUAL PREDATOR”

Prosecutor Stuart Cowen tells Kebatu:

“He is a sexual predator”

Who allegedly tried to assault one girl & one woman in the same way. Kebatu denies the claim, insisting:

“I am not such a person. I can’t do these kind of things.” ⬇️
🔴 KEBATU TARGETS WOMAN

Kebatu tells the court the woman who called police on 8 July “is the only instigator & she put them all into this,” referencing allegations made against him ⬇️
🔴 DEFENCE DENIES ALL

Throughout questioning, Kebatu continued to reject every allegation, maintaining he could not commit such acts & is not the person described by the prosecution.⬇️
🔴 QUESTIONING ENDS

With Cowen’s cross-examination concluded, Kebatu is taken back into the dock as the trial moves forward, leaving his defence on record.

5:30 Updates

🔴 NO REASON TO LIE?

Cowen presses:

“There’s no reason for these young people to say these things about you.”

Kebatu maintains the accusations are false. ⬇️

🔴 FABRICATION CLAIM

Prosecutor Stuart Cowen challenges Kebatu on why the children would make allegations. Kebatu responds:

“This is simply fabrication, I have done nothing wrong.” ⬇️

🔴 MEDIA MENTIONED

Kebatu adds: “A lot of things have been said by the media as well,” as he continues to reject every allegation in court. ⬇️

🔴 DEFENCE HOLDS FIRM

Cross-examination continues, but Kebatu repeats his stance:

“I have done nothing wrong,”

Still insisting all allegations are untrue.

5:25 pm Updates
🔴 KEBATU CROSS-EXAMINED

Prosecutor Stuart Cowen begins questioning. Kebatu tells jurors it’s been “years and years” since he was last in Ethiopia, revealing his long journey to the UK ⬇️
🔴 ROUTE TO BRITAIN

Kebatu details his travels: “I went through Ethiopia, Libya, Italy & France before reaching the UK,” the jury hears during cross-examination ⬇️
🔴 CROSSING THE CHANNEL

Kebatu tells the court he paid around 1,800 euros (£1,551) to board a small boat across the English Channel, describing the final stage of his journey

5:15 Updates

🔴 DEFENCE POSITION CLEAR

Kebatu maintains he did not act inappropriately, portraying the woman as angry & threatening, & denies all allegations of touching or misconduct ⬇️

🔴 KEBATU: ‘NOT A WILD ANIMAL’

Defendant Hadush Kebatu, animated in the witness box, denies wrongdoing:

“I’m not a wild animal. These are children, the future of tomorrow, the new generation. I’m not a criminal.” ⬇️

🔴 WHY HE SAID SORRY

Kebatu explains why he apologised when arrested:

“I was concerned about any ramifications on any other immigrants.”

He denies guilt but says he feared wider consequences ⬇️

🔴 ‘SHE COULD BE MY DAUGHTER’

Reiterating his police interview, Kebatu says of one alleged victim:

“She could be my daughter, she is very young,” again insisting he did nothing inappropriat

5:10 Updates
🔴 ‘SHE WAS HOT’

Kebatu tells the court the woman threatened to call police if he did not come to her house, saying she was “hot”. Asked to explain, Kebatu clarifies: “She was angry” ⬇️
🔴 THREAT ALLEGATION

Kebatu alleges the woman told him: “If you don’t come to my house, you are speaking to students & I will call the police” ⬇️

🔴 ‘HAVE CONNECTION WITH ME’

Kebatu claims the woman demanded: “You need to come to my house & have connection with me,” denying any inappropriate conduct on his part ⬇️
5:05 Updates

🔴 KEBATU CONTINUES EVIDENCE

Defendant Hadush Kebatu tells the court he did not touch any children on 8 July, insisting: “No, I did not touch them.” He says he was concerned about his asylum claim after recently arriving in England ⬇️

🔴 CLAIMS OF FLIRTATION

Under questioning, Kebatu describes an encounter with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, claiming she said:

“You are handsome, I want you to come to my house”

5:00 Updates

🔴 KEBATU TAKES THE STAND

Wearing a grey sweater and tracksuit bottoms, Kebatu enters the witness box to give evidence in his defence ⬇️
🔴 ‘I AM NOT A WILD ANIMAL’

Kebatu tells the court he was born in Ethiopia & worked as a teacher. On the alleged day, he says he was “moving around” with a friend & saw children nearby ⬇️

🔴 DENIES SEXUAL INTENT

Asked if he tried to kiss a girl, Kebatu responds: “I am not a wild animal. I can’t do these kind of things. I am a Christian, it’s not in my culture” ⬇️

🔴 DENIES BABY COMMENT

When asked if he told the girls he wanted to have a baby with them, Kebatu’s reply was firm: “Never”.
4:45 Updates

🔴 TRIAL RESUMES AT COLCHESTER COURT

Kebatu is in the dock, joined by his Tigrinya-speaking interpreter as the jury hears further evidence ⬇️
🔴 WITNESS RETURNS TO GIVE EVIDENCE

Anonymity-protected woman recalls alleged sexual assault, saying Kebatu touched her thigh during a conversation. She pushed his hand away ⬇️

🔴 ‘YOU’RE VERY PRETTY,’ COURT HEARS

The woman says Kebatu told her she was “very pretty” after touching her thigh. She describes feeling “shocked” & “uncomfortable” ⬇️

🔴 ‘DON’T TOUCH ME,’ WITNESS SAID

The court hears she told Kebatu she was “not touchy” & didn’t like to be touched, prompting him to slightly move away ⬇️

🔴 WITNESS DESCRIBES FINAL MOMENTS

She says she went to get paper to write her details to help him, but when she returned Kebatu was sitting with another girl.

4:30 Updates

🔴 ‘SHE IS YOUNG ENOUGH TO BE MY CHILD’

Prosecutor says Kebatu told police one alleged victim was young enough to be his child & added he had worked as a sports teacher in Ethiopia ⬇️

🔴 PROSECUTION ENDS

Cowen confirms the Crown’s evidence is complete, closing the case against Kebatu as the trial moves to the next stage of proceedings.
4:25 Updates

🔴 Court is silent while CCTV footage is shown to the judge

The court is totally silent as the CCTV, which has no audio, is played on two TV screens mounted on separate walls. It showed the High Street & High Road area of Epping, where Kebatu's alleged offending took place.

🔴 PROSECUTION CLOSES ITS CASE

Stuart Cowen tells the court UK authorities cannot confirm Kebatu’s background or if he has previous convictions, citing travel through Italy & France before arriving in the UK ⬇️

🔴 KEBATU’S POLICE STATEMENT REFERENCED

The court hears Kebatu denied all allegations in interview, describing himself as a man of good character who would not commit such offences

4:15 Updates

🔴 EVIDENCE ADDS TO ALLEGED INCIDENT

The witness’s account adds another allegation to the timeline of events involving Kebatu’s reported encounters with women & teens in Epping ⬇️

🔴KEBATU USED NAME ‘THOMAS’

Court hears Kebatu often introduced himself as “Thomas,” with both alleged victims & witnesses saying this is the name he gave them ⬇️

🔴 NAME GIVEN DURING 999 CALL

A witness told police during a 999 call, played in court, that Kebatu said his name was Thomas but she did not believe him ⬇️

🔴 CLAIMS OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES

The court was told Kebatu, who is from Ethiopia, also claimed to be from Kenya & Ghana when speaking to others.
4:05 Updates

🔴 SECOND ALLEGED ENCOUNTER OUTLINED

Her account relates to 8 July, the same day Kebatu is accused of approaching the girl & her friends for a second time in Epping town centre ⬇️

🔴 WOMAN DESCRIBES ALLEGED TOUCHING

The witness says Kebatu put his hand on her left thigh during their conversation. She pushed it away & told him she didn’t like being touched ⬇️
🔴 ‘YOU’RE VERY PRETTY’, COURT HEARS

The woman tells the court Kebatu said she was “pretty” and repeated it before moving slightly away when she told him not to touch her ⬇️

🔴 WITNESS FELT SHOCKED & UNCOMFORTABLE

She says the incident left her “Shocked” & “Uncomfortable” but she continued trying to help him by asking for his email & phone number ⬇️
🔴 NO CONTACT DETAILS GIVEN

The woman says Kebatu told her he had no email or phone. She went to get paper to write down her details, but when she returned, he was with a girl.

3:55 Updates

🔴 WOMAN WHO INTERVENED GIVES EVIDENCE

A woman tells the court she spoke to Kebatu during his second alleged encounter with the teens, after he called out to her in Epping High Street ⬇️

🔴 OFFERING HELP WITH WORK & CV

The woman says Kebatu told her he needed help & asked about jobs in the area. She said she offered to assist him with his CV if needed ⬇️

🔴 COMMUNICATION DESCRIBED IN COURT

She says Kebatu could understand her but she had to simplify her language as English did not appear to be his first language ⬇️

🔴 SAT TO TALK ON BENCH NEARBY

The woman tells the court they sat on a bench while discussing work & job prospects before the alleged offending took place

3:45 Updates

🔴 ILLEGAL ENTRY CLAIM HEARD

The boy says Kebatu claimed he paid around 2,500 euros (£2,155) to travel on a rubber dinghy to reach the UK ⬇️
🔴 ARRIVAL TIMELINE MENTIONED

Police interview refers to Kebatu’s arrival in the UK on 29 June, days before the alleged incidents in Epping town centre ⬇️

🔴 WITNESS REMARKS ON LOCATION

The boy says he thought it was “weird” seeing Kebatu in Epping, adding: “I don’t know how he’s got here because we’re not near the beach” ⬇️

DETAILS ADDED TO ALLEGED ACCOUNT

The interview adds to the timeline & context of the case, with the witness giving further details of Kebatu’s claimed background & movements. ⬇️

🔴 Boy claims Kebatu is not telling the truth

Molly Dyas asked the second witness questions on behalf of the defence. He answered “No” – to all of them & finishes by telling the court he is telling the truth ⬇️

3:40 Updates

🔴 WITNESS SUPPORTS EARLIER ACCOUNT

The boy’s evidence appears to echo the first witness’s version of events, detailing alleged comments & approaches towards the girls ⬇️

🔴 WITNESS RECALLS CONVERSATION WITH KEBATU

A boy tells police Kebatu introduced himself as Thomas & spoke about how he entered the UK before the alleged encounters with the group ⬇️

3:35 Updates

🔴 SECOND WITNESS INTERVIEW PLAYED

A second boy’s recorded police interview is played as he describes witnessing Kebatu approach a group of youngsters on 7 July ⬇️

🔴 BOY DESCRIBES KEEPING BACK

The boy says he stayed slightly behind because he doesn’t like speaking to strangers but heard Kebatu asking to talk to the group ⬇️

🔴 ALLEGED COMMENTS RECALLED

The witness says he heard Kebatu say,:

“Come back to Africa, you will be a good wife,”

& repeatedly asked one of the girls for a kiss on the cheek.

3:30 Updates

🔴 DEFENCE CHALLENGES KEY CLAIMS

Dyas asks if Kebatu called the girl pretty, spoke about babies or asked for a kiss. The boy answers “no” to each when asked if Kebatu’s version is correct ⬇️

🔴 WITNESS STANDS BY HIS ACCOUNT

When asked if he was telling the truth, the boy replies “yes,” maintaining his account of the alleged events in front of the court.
3:25 Updates

🔴 DEFENDANT WATCHES POLICE INTERVIEW

Kebatu is sitting in the dock with arms folded as the boy’s recorded police interview is played on two screens ⬇️

🔴 INTERPRETER TRANSLATES PROCEEDINGS

An interpreter is seated to Kebatu’s right, translating the witness interview as the court continues to hear evidence of the trial ⬇️

🔴 BOY FACES CROSS-EXAMINATION

Defence barrister Molly Dyas questions the boy witness via live link over Kebatu’s alleged comments and actions.

3:15 Updates

🔴 COURT HEARS EVIDENCE FROM 8 JULY

The boy tells police he saw Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu again in Epping, approaching the same girls & ask for kisses ⬇️

🔴 ALLEGED HAIR STROKING & APPROACH

The boy’s interview says Kebatu asked a girl to kiss him, tried to stroke her hair, then moved to another bench before speaking with a nearby woman ⬇️

🔴 POLICE CALLED AS INCIDENT ESCALATES

The boy says the woman intervened after the girl said she felt uncomfortable. Kebatu allegedly ran off, “begging” & apologising as police arrived.

🔴 3:05 Updates: WITNESS DESCRIBES HIGH ROAD ENCOUNTER

The boy tells police he was with friends and two girls when Kebatu asked for pizza & later made comments about wanting babies with one of the girls ⬇️

🔴 BELL HOTEL MENTIONED IN COURT

The witness says Kebatu called the girls “pretty” & said he wanted them to go back to the Bell Hotel with him during the alleged encounter.
🔴 3:00: COURT HEARS NEW WITNESS EVIDENCE

Day 2 at Colchester Magistrates’ Court: A boy’s recorded interview is played as he claims to have seen Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu approach teens on 7 July ⬇️