Migrant hotel resident tried to kiss teenager, court hears

An asylum seeker hotel resident attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl and told her he wanted to have a baby with her after she offered him pizza because he looked hungry, a court heard.

- JOSH PAYNE

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu allegedly made inappropriate comments to the teenager and her friend "without any encouragement" shortly after accepting the food offering, his sexual assault trial was told.

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard the defendant, who allegedly said he was from Africa and had arrived in the UK on a boat, told the two youngsters "he wanted to have a baby with each of them" before attempting to kiss them.

Prosecutor Stuart Cowen said Kebatu had recently arrived in the UK and his "advances" were rejected by the 14-year-olds.

Mr Cowen told the court the case has "attracted quite a lot of publicity because of the defendant's personal circumstances" with the alleged incidents sparking protests and counterprotests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.

Similar protests have been held outside hotels across the country housing asylum seekers. Somani Hotels Limited, which owns the Bell Hotel, will have its bid to appeal against a ruling that it cannot house asylum seekers at the site heard by the Court of Appeal tomorrow, according to court listings.