🔴 Migrant from Epping hotel, told girl, 14, he wanted her to have his baby
SUMMARY: The trial of Hadush Kebatu, who is accused of sexual assaults in Epping, Essex, hears he told a teenage girl
- 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.
He denies all five charges against him, including sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl, harassment and inciting a child into sexual activity
CASE:
An asylum seeker housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping is standing trial accused of making sexually inappropriate approaches towards a 14-Old-Old teenage girl and her friend, after recently arriving in the UK, Colcchester Magistrates’ Court has heard.
Prosecutors allege that 38-year-old Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who arrived in the United Kingdom by boat and speaks primarily Tigrinya, attempted to kiss the girls, placed his hand on one victim’s thigh and made comments about wanting them to have his baby.
The court was told that the alleged incidents took place on 7 and 8 July after one girl offered Kebatu pizza because he appeared hungry. Prosecutor Stuart Cowen said Kebatu responded by allegedly telling the teenagers he:
“Wanted to have a baby with each of them”,
Attempted to kiss them and invited them back to the Bell Hotel where he was staying. When the girls refused, the prosecution claim, he persisted.
It is further alleged that the following day Kebatu placed his hand 14-year-old girl’s leg and again attempted to kiss her. The court heard that the girl told police she:
“Froze" and got
"Really creeped out"
during the alleged incident, repeatedly telling Ketabu
"No, I'm 14".
She said the defendant but Kebatu allegedly replied:
“No, no, it doesn’t matter, you can back to the Bell Hotel with me”
Another female member of the public later reported that Kebatu approached her, tried to kiss her, touched her leg and called her “Pretty.”
The case, which Mr Cowen said has attracted significant attention:
“Because of the defendant’s personal circumstances,”
Has been linked to protests and counter-protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, including at the Bell Hotel itself. Several men have already been charged over disturbances linked to those demonstrations.
Defence solicitor Molly Dyas cross-examined the main complainant, suggesting Kebatu had only greeted the girls and denied receiving pizza or making comments about wanting a baby.
The witness maintained he had done so and repeated that she refused his advances. Dyas also questioned the accuracy of her recollection of events, including the details of the interaction on 7 July.
Kabatu denies all allegations. He faces 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. He appeared in court with the assistance of an interpreter and has entered not guilty pleas to each charge.
The proceedings continue, with the trial expected to last two days.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
