Asylum seeker guilty of assaulting girl

A CHANNEL asylum seeker was convicted yesterday of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, days after he arrived in the UK.

- By Paul Jeeves Crime Editor

The reported behaviour of Ethiopian Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu sparked protests where he was living in Epping, Essex, along with demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.

His three-day trial heard he told two teenagers he wanted to “have a baby with each of them”. He then tried to kiss them, before putting his hand on one of the girl’s thighs and stroking her hair.

Kebatu was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty.

At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Christopher Williams told the 38-yearold he should expect an “immediate” prison term when he is sentenced on September 23.

Judge Williams took just 30 minutes to return his guilty verdicts and his reasoning.

Shocking

Kebatu, who claimed to be a sports teacher, denied all the charges and told the court he was “not a wild animal”.