Epping migrant jailed for 12 months after assaulting teen and woman days after arriving in the UK

An Ethiopian migrant who had just arrived in Britain by dinghy eight days earlier was jailed for 12 months after attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl and later groping a woman who came to the girl's aid in Epping, Essex.

Hadush Kebatu, 41, was resident at the Bell Hotel when the incidents occurred in July, just days after his arrival. He sat with a group of teenagers on a bench eating pizza and began making inappropriate comments, telling the girl he wanted to have a baby with her, and attempting to kiss her. The following day, when the same group was on the bench and the girl was in a school uniform, Kebatu again approached them and repeated similar lines, prompting the group to distance themselves.

A woman who intervened when Kebatu put his hand on the 14-year-old's thigh and tried to kiss her also became the target of his attention, as he touched her leg and made further advances. The woman later confronted Kebatu, who reportedly ran away before police pursued and arrested him. In court, the teenager explained in a victim impact statement that the repeated approach left her constantly checking over her shoulder and made her modify what she wears when she goes out, including changing out of school uniforms.

Kebatu faced three counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, a harassment charge, and another alleging attempted incitement of a child to engage in sexual activity. He denied the charges at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, where a jury found him guilty following a trial, and he was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. In body-worn footage played in court, Kebatu appeared tearful at the time of arrest.

The sentencing judge, District Judge Christopher Williams, said Kebatu's behaviour was "disgusting and sickening" and noted that he became aroused while harassing the girl, who he knew was only 14. "You acted ignorantly and repulsively. The fact you tried to suggest she was the one acting inappropriately to you is just as appalling," the judge added, stressing the lack of respect shown for women.

Prosecutor Stuart Cowen told the court Kebatu had suggested he did not understand how strict the UK was, and the defendant expressed remorse but framed it around the impact on him rather than on the victims. Kebatu told a probation officer that he wished to be deported, a sentiment reiterated by his legal team as they described his journey from Europe and his asylum claims. The prosecutor noted that the teenage girl and the adult woman provided statements detailing the harm and fear caused by Kebatu's actions, with the girl saying she now felt exposed in her school uniform and regularly checked her surroundings when out with friends.

Molly Dyas, Kebatu's defense counsel, argued that the evidence was inconsistent and that her client could not be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. She said Kebatu had endured a difficult journey to the UK and had sought asylum. She added that he wished to be deported as quickly as possible, and that his mental health had deteriorated during the process. The judge did not accept a defense claim that Kebatu's remorse stemmed from his actions or the public reaction rather than the offences themselves.

Following the verdict, Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper praised the victims and witnesses for coming forward and thanked them for helping ensure the evidence before the court was strong and credible. He noted the case had drawn significant public interest and stressed the force's commitment to investigating every report without fear or favour.

The Epping incident fed into a broader controversy over housing migrants at the Bell Hotel. Local authorities had previously obtained and then temporarily overturned a court injunction intended to shut the site down, with a full hearing due in the High Court. A separate case against the Bell Hotel's housing arrangement was set for October, and another migrant, Mohammed Sharwarq, faced charges related to sexual assault, though he has admitted six counts of common assault. Essex Police reported more than 30 people had been arrested in connection with disorder around the hotel, with over 20 charged by the time of the sentencing.

Under UK law, foreign offenders who receive a prison sentence of 12 months or more can be deported automatically, though there are nuances and exceptions depending on the case. The government has announced plans to expel rapists, drug dealers and burglars who receive custodial sentences immediately, with lifelong bans on return, for certain offenders, while more serious cases would still require completing their sentences before deportation. Kebatu, who was assisted by an interpreter in court, did not show a reaction to the verdict when it was delivered.

The incident has intensified ongoing debate about asylum policy and migrant housing in the region, with authorities preparing for further legal action related to the Bell Hotel's status and potential injunctions. As the High Court prepares to hear arguments in October, residents and critics alike await clarification on how the UK will balance immigration controls with local concerns and safety.