Muqbil Al Dhaheri, 36, had been in intensive care at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, when he slid his hand down the side of a member of staff and “smirked” when he made eye contact with them.

When he was being transported by bus to Wethersfield Immigration Centre, Al Dhaheri got out of the vehicle which was stuck in traffic, and urinated in front of members of the public.

Both offences were committed on Monday.

Assault – the sexual assault took place at Broomfield Hospital (Image: East News Press Agency)

Appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court wearing a Trespass jacket, Al Dhaheri admitted sexual assault and outraging public decency.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, February 16.

Rebecca Debenham, prosecuting, said: “Al Dhaheri was receiving treatment at Broomfield Hospital.

“He walked towards the nursing station and rubbed his hand down the right-hand side of one of the medical workers – he smirked as he did so.

“He was told by a colleague of the complainant not to do that – the complainant believes it was intentional.

“While being transported back to the asylum immigration centre from Broomfield Hospital, Mr Al Dhaheri was told that he had been acting inappropriately at the hospital.

“He said he needed to go to the toilet, and when the bus stopped at some traffic lights, he got out and started to urinate against some railings.

“The car behind the vehicle he was travelling in had a woman and child in who saw the incident.

“There were also people walking along the pavement.”

Deputy District Judge Sarah Hannah adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and released Al Dhaheri on conditional bail.

Chloe Goodey, mitigating, accepted Al Dhaheri is at risk of receiving a jail term for the offences.

She said: “I would suggest not enough is known about his circumstances in order to sentence him, which is why I make the application for a pre-sentence report.”

Hearing – Muqbil Al Dhaheri appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Miss Debenham added: “He is originally from Yemen – he arrived in the UK in September 2025.

“He is currently making a claim for asylum which is ongoing.

“While the decision is outstanding, he is residing at Wethersfield Immigration Centre.”

Al Dhaheri gave the court a thumbs up as he was led from the dock.