Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex. He was convicted last month of two counts of sexual assault and one of attempted sexual assault, committed days after arriving in the UK on a small boat.
Kebatu, who had been living at the Bell hotel in Epping, told two teenagers eating pizza that he 'wanted to have a baby with them' and tried to kiss them. The 14-year-old victim said in a statement that her school uniform now made her feel 'exposed' and she was 'checking over my shoulder' when out with friends. The woman he assaulted said Kebatu 'did not even appear to know that what he’s done was wrong'.
District Judge Christopher Williams said Kebatu posed a 'significant risk of reoffending' and described him as 'manipulative'. He ordered Kebatu to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years and imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Kebatu must also pay £650 in prosecution costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
The case sparked protests outside the Bell hotel over the summer, which far-right activists sought to exploit. Essex police made dozens of arrests and charged more than 20 people in connection with related disorder. Judge Williams noted that Kebatu's shame and remorse were not for the offences but for their impact on his own situation.
Kebatu's lawyer said he wishes to be deported after serving his sentence. Under new rules, foreign prisoners may be deported after serving 30% of their sentence instead of half. The Home Office is expected to seek Kebatu's deportation, as he has already served 30% of his term in custody.
