Asylum seeker put hand on 14-year-old girl's thigh and tried to kiss her, court told

AN asylum seeker housed at the controversial Bell Hotel in Epping sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl by putting his hand on her thigh and attempting to kiss her after she offered him a bite of her pizza, a court heard yesterday.

- Paul Jeeves

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, then told the girl he wanted to have a baby with her and another with her friend after she took pity on him because he “looked hungry”, it was alleged.

The migrant, who had arrived in the UK by small boat across the Channel eight days earlier, allegedly made the comments “without any encouragement” shortly after approaching the children in the Essex town.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard he pouted his lips at the girls and appeared aroused as he said “he wanted to have a baby with each of them” before inviting them to his bedroom.

Stuart Cowen, prosecuting, said Kebatu’s “advances” were rejected by the 14-year-olds.

Mr Cowen said the case has “attracted quite a lot of publicity because of the defendant’s personal circumstances” — with the alleged incidents sparking protests and counter-protests outside the hotel.

Similar protests later erupted at hotels across the country housing asylum seekers. Somani Hotels, which owns the Bell, is subject to a temporary injunction, gained by Epping Forest District Council, which claims the company failed to get planning permission for change of use.