Epping hotel resident found guilty of sexually assaulting 14-year-old and a woman
Chelmsford magistrates find Hadush Kebatu guilty after incidents at The Bell Hotel, arrest sparked demonstrations
A man staying at a hotel in Epping has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, a magistrates' court heard on Friday.
Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was convicted at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court of touching the girl and of a range of related offences arising from incidents in Epping, Essex, on 7 and 8 July. The judge also found him guilty of harassing the child, inciting her to engage in sexual activity and an attempted sexual assault, and warned him to expect a prison sentence.
Court evidence said Kebatu attempted to kiss the 14-year-old, placed his hand on her thigh and told her he "wanted to have a baby" with her. He also asked the child to kiss another child in front of him. When a woman intervened, the court heard, Kebatu put his hand on her thigh; she told officers the contact made her feel "shocked and uncomfortable" and she called the police.
Court proceedings included body-worn camera footage of Kebatu's arrest that was shown to the bench as part of the evidence.
Kebatu had been staying at The Bell Hotel in Epping as an asylum seeker, the court was told. He told the judge he had been at the hotel for about a week before his arrest and had travelled through Sudan, Libya, Italy and France to reach the UK.
His arrest in July prompted a series of demonstrations outside the hotel, which housed asylum seekers, drawing local and national attention to the case. Police were called to the scene after the woman reported the alleged assault, and Kebatu was taken into custody.
Prosecutors presented evidence of the interactions between Kebatu and the girl, and witnesses described the moments when members of the public intervened. The magistrates found the prosecution's account proved beyond reasonable doubt on the counts brought before the court.
Magistrates' courts hear lower-level criminal cases and preliminary hearings for more serious offences; the bench made clear it expected Kebatu to receive a custodial sentence. The court did not immediately announce the length of any sentence, and further procedural steps or a sentencing hearing may follow in line with court practice.
The case has been followed closely by local residents and national media because of the location of the alleged offences and the public demonstrations that followed Kebatu's arrest. Court officials have not released further details about any upcoming hearings or the expected timetable for sentencing.
Kebatu's conviction at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court is the latest development in an investigation that began after the alleged incidents in early July. Police and court records will guide any further action and reporting on the matter as required by legal processes and the public interest.