An asylum seeker residing in a UK hotel who was found guilty of s3xually ass@ulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl has expressed a desire to be deported, a court has heard.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national, was convicted of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates’ courts.
The defendant’s lawyer, Molly Dyas, told the sentencing hearing on Tuesday that it is Kebatu’s “firm wish” to be deported, a view he held “before the trial.” Prosecutor Stuart Cowen stated that Kebatu had told the author of a pre-sentence report that “because of the situation, Epping is in chaos and he had got a lot of migrants in trouble.”
The court heard that Kebatu, who arrived in the UK on a small boat just days before the incidents in July, told two teenagers he wanted to “have a baby with each of them” and attempted to kiss them. He also put his hand on one of the girls’ thighs and stroked her hair. The defendant, who was a teacher of sports in Ethiopia, was also convicted of s3xually ass@ulting a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg, and telling her she was pretty.
Statements from both victims were read to the court. The 14-year-old girl said she now finds herself “checking over my shoulder” when out with friends and that wearing a skirt makes her feel “vulnerable and exposed.” She added that seeing the bench where the ass@ult took place reminds her of the incident. The adult victim stated that the incident has left her “feeling worried to leave my house” and that Kebatu “did not even appear to know that what he’s done was wrong.”
District Judge Christopher Williams found Kebatu guilty of two counts of s3xual ass@ult, one count of attempted s3xual ass@ult, one count of inciting a girl to engage in s3xual activity, and one count of harassment without violence.
The judge told Kebatu he “can expect an immediate custodial sentence to be imposed.” Kebatu’s behavior led to protests and counter-protests in Epping, Essex, and eventually outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country. Sentencing is expected at a later date.
