Asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu is accused of sex assaults (Image: -)
An asylum seeker from Ethiopia is accused of trying to kiss a 14-year-old schoolgirl just days after arriving in the UK on a small boat, a court heard today. Prosecutors allege Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu approached a group of children in Epping, Essex, earlier this month, and asked them for a slice of pizza.
The 38-year-old is then alleged to have made sexualised comments about making “babies” to the children, before following and trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu is accused of committing three sexual assaults over two days, just eight days after allegedly arriving in the UK by boat.
On July 8, he is accused of approaching a woman before returning to speak with the same 14-year-old from the previous day and touching her thigh.
Kebatu denies the sexual assault charges, as well as one of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and another of harassment without violence.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault (Image: -)
Local residents gather outside The Bell Hotel in Epping. (Image: Jacqueline Lawrie/LNP)
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court with short brown hair and a grey t-shirt, and was remanded into custody until a further hearing next month.
Kebatu, who was assisted by a translator during the hearing, is believed to have been staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, which has attracted protests since the alleged offences.
District Judge Christopher Williams set a provisional, two-day trial date for next month.
He said: “I know there is a significant amount of public and press interest in this case. I want you to listen to me very carefully. You have pleaded not guilty to these matters.
“There is going to be a trial, so the court can hear the evidence and determine whether the prosecution can prove the case against you or not.
“At the moment, the trial is going to be on the 26 and 27 of August at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.
“As it stands, you will be in custody until that date. You will be produced at court with an interpreter.”
Police officers attempt to hold back protestors outside the Bell Hotel. (Image: Jacqueline Lawrie/LNP)
District Judge Williams added that there would be several child witnesses at the trial.
Outlining the charges, the judge said that on July 7, Kebatu approached a group of schoolchildren eating pizza before making sexualised comments and trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
It’s also alleged he tried to get the schoolgirl to kiss one of her friends.
The following day, on July 8, it’s alleged he approached another woman, aged over 18, tried to kiss her, touched her leg and told her she’s “pretty”.
He’s then alleged to have moved on to the same schoolgirl from the previous day, trying to kiss her again, brushing her hair from her face and touching her thigh.
The allegations prompted the Conservative leader of Epping Forest District Council, Chris Whitbread, to call for the Bell Hotel to be closed.
At a planned protest at the hotel on Sunday, two security staff members were reported to have been assaulted by a group of men at a nearby bus stop.
Local residents protest outside the Bell Hotel. (Image: Jacqueline Lawrie/LNP)
Essex Police said the two victims managed to make their way past the protest site and into the hotel, where there was a significant policing presence, to receive help.
Both victims received hospital treatment for serious, though not life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
This incident is being investigated extensively by detectives from Loughton CID and is being treated as racially aggravated.
In another incident on Tuesday, a man was reported to have shouted racial abuse at the hotel and was later said to have caused damage to the building.
Officers later arrested a man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage.
Superintendent Tim Tubbs, of Essex Police, said in a statement released to the press: “I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling locally, specifically on an ongoing police investigation which at this stage has seen one man charged with a number of sexual offences.
“That case is continuing to progress through the court, and the suspect was remanded into custody after a hearing last week.
“We know there is significant discussion about this ongoing case within the community and, indeed, further afield.
“As the police, [we] must be limited in what we say whilst a criminal investigation is progressing through the courts and the last thing we want is for any public discussion to hinder an ongoing prosecution.
“We understand people’s right to make their voices heard on issues which matter to them. We don’t seek to stifle this.
“People who do this peacefully, lawfully and responsibly cause us – and the wider public – no concern.
“However, we can never and will never tolerate criminal violence of any sort and anyone identified as committing crime will be dealt with robustly.
“There will continue to be a very visible policing presence in Epping in the coming days to ensure the safety of our community.
“If you’ve got concerns or information you feel we need to know, please do not hesitate to contact those officers.”
Another short hearing, when Kebatu will attend via video link and be remanded into custody again until his trial date, will take place on August 13 at Basildon Magistrates Court.