Epping hotel asylum seeker jailed for 12 months over sex assaults that sparked protests

Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was convicted of two counts of sexual assault. During his three-day trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, it was heard that Kebatu, who had arrived in the UK on a small boat just eight days earlier, touched and tried to kiss the schoolgirl on 7 and 8 July in Epping.

The defendant's counsel, Molly Dyas, stated that her client wished to be deported as soon as possible. During sentencing, District Judge Christopher Williams told Kebatu that it must have been "disgusting and sickening" for the child, who was wearing her school uniform at the time, to experience the assault. In a tweet, the girl wrote: “I go out with my friends and look at my shoulder.”

Details of the Offence

The court heard that Kebatu was found guilty of two sexual assaults, grooming the child, inciting her to engage in sexual activity, and a further sexual assault following a hearing. According to the trial, he attempted to kiss the girl and placed his hand on her thigh before asking her to kiss another child while he watched.

A woman who later intervened testified that Kebatu "took advantage of my kindness" when he put his hand on her thigh as she tried to help him with his CV. After seeing Kebatu talking to the girl and her family, the woman called the police.

The Sentencing and Quotes

During the trial, Kebatu claimed he was "not a wild animal" and said, "I can't do these kind of stuff, this is anti-Christian – these are just children, innocent children."

However, when sentencing him, District Judge Christopher Williams told Kebatu, "You wanted to come out as a victim and that you'd been made to be a scapegoat." The judge noted that Kebatu had attempted suicide in jail despite being aware that his deception had resulted in "mass protests" in the United Kingdom.

Prosecutor Stuart Cowen told the court that Kebatu had said, "Because of the circumstances, Epping was in chaos, and he'd have a lot of other migrants in danger." The court also heard that Kebatu had made similar remarks, claiming he was unaware of "how tight the UK was."

A child witness testified on 7 July that Kebatu had told the girls, “You will be a good wife,” and then, “Come back to Africa, you will be an excellent wife.” Kebatu had spotted them eating pizza in Epping town centre and invited them back to The Bell Hotel. The girl told investigators, "I want one baby from you and one from your friend." The following day, Kebatu was seen smiling and trying to kiss her on a bench before placing his hand on her thigh. She told detectives she “froze” during the assault and told Kebatu, “no, I'm 14.” However, he reportedly replied, "age does not matter."

Judicial and Police Remarks

According to the court, Kebatu was overheard telling the girls that he had paid €2,500 (£2,155) to arrive in the UK on a rubber dinghy. During the trial, he gave his date of birth as December 1986, which would make him 38, but court records indicated he was 41 years old. Kebatu told the judge he was a "sports teacher" in Ethiopia and that children were "the future of tomorrow, the new generation."

However, Judge Williams said Kebatu had put himself at a "significant risk of reoffending" and became "notably annoyed" by asking the girl to kiss another child. The judge added that Kebatu then "acted ignorantly and repulsively" when he sexually assaulted the woman who was trying to help him.

"She is a strong woman who stood up for herself and, equally important, stood up to those who are less fortunate than her," the judge said.

Under the UK Borders Act 2007, a deportation order must be issued for a foreign national who has been found guilty of an offence and given a custodial sentence of at least 12 months.

Stuart Hooper, the Assistant Chief Constable for Essex Police, praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward. “They came forward and trusted us with their knowledge, and today I want to say a personal thank you to them,” he said.