An asylum seeker accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls in Essex had arrived in the UK by small boat just eight days before the alleged attacks, sparking violent demonstrations that left two security guards seriously injured.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court last Thursday charged with three counts of sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and harassment without violence in Epping on Monday and Tuesday last week.
The Ethiopian national, who arrived at Dover on June 29 alongside 584 other migrants, had been housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping where approximately 100 asylum seekers are accommodated by the Home Office.
Violent Clashes Erupt
Sunday evening’s protest outside the three-star hotel descended into bloody mayhem as rival demonstrators clashed in the historic Essex town.
Two security guards arriving for their shift were “set upon by a group of men” at a bus stop on High Road around 8pm, according to Essex Police.
Both victims suffered serious injuries requiring hospital treatment, though police confirmed the injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing.
We are investigating the assault of two members of security staff working at The Bell Hotel, in Epping, and are treating the offences as racially aggravated,” an Essex Police spokesperson said.
Shocking Scenes Captured
Disturbing footage from the protest showed one man bleeding heavily from his head as he limped towards the hotel, with protesters shouting obscenities.
In another clip, two men were seen punching each other and wrestling next to a car before police charged in to break up the brawl.
A large crowd waving St George’s flags massed opposite the hotel, repeatedly chanting “protect our kids” as approximately a dozen police officers stood guard.
“Go home you c***, go home. F*** off back on your boat and go,” one protester was heard screaming at the injured man.
Graffiti and Property Damage
By Monday morning, the hotel had been vandalised with graffiti telling asylum seekers to “go home.
Slogans including “Go Home”, “Die” and “This Is England” were sprayed on two large front windows.
At least one window in an annex building appeared to have been broken during the disturbance, with plastic covering the frame.
Workmen were hastily erecting a wood-panel fence around one side of the property whilst police officers spoke with private security guards outside.
Court Appearance Details
Prosecutor Serena Berry told the 45-minute hearing that one alleged victim had been approached “on a busy High Street.
Berry emphasised that Kebatu had “no ties to anyone or any place in the UK”, adding: “Immigration have confirmed he has only been in the UK since June 29, 2025.
District Judge Christopher Williams remanded Kebatu in custody, stating he would face trial within 56 days.
The defendant denied all charges against him.
Community Tensions Rise
Father-of-three Adam Brooks, an anti-knife campaigner whose father was stabbed to death when he was a child, witnessed the incident.
The Essex-based publican said: “There’s a protest because a migrant is alleged and was charged with sexual assault against a young girl in Epping High Road last week.
“There are worried mothers, worried children, there’s grandmothers, fathers, uncles, grandads, and we’ve got an anti-racism lot that have turned up.”
Counter-Protesters Clash
Counter-demonstrators from Waltham Forest Stand Up to Racism arrived holding signs saying “Refugees Welcome: Stop The Far-Right.
Police were seen escorting some counter-protesters away from the hotel as the crowd continued to jeer.
Despite the violence and disorder, Essex Police reported no arrests from Sunday’s protest.
One man was seen scaling the roof of the migrant hotel during the demonstrations.
Political Response
Following Kebatu’s arrest, Epping Forest District Council leader Chris Whitbread wrote to the Home Secretary demanding the Bell Hotel’s closure “without delay.
From the outset, we warned the Home Office that this site is entirely inappropriate,” Whitbread stated.
Placing vulnerable individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds into an unsupervised setting, in the centre of a small town, without the proper infrastructure, support or services, is both reckless and unacceptable.
MPs Call for Action
MPs for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson, and Brentwood and Ongar, Alex Burghart, issued a joint statement calling for the hotels to be closed.
A petition organised by Whitbread calling for the closure of the Bell Hotel and the Phoenix Hotel in Bobbingworth has gathered more than 4,500 signatures.
The petition states: “We are also deeply concerned about rising community tensions. The Government’s inaction risks fuelling division and undermining community cohesion.”
Police Investigation Continues
Superintendent Tim Tubbs acknowledged community concerns following the charges.
We’re aware of a significant amount of public discussion around this case – and I understand that,” he said.
“We have had continued, targeted patrols in the area since this incident and we plan for this to continue.”
Essex Police confirmed they became aware of the alleged offences after a girl reported concerns on Tuesday, with further victims coming forward subsequently.
Previous Incidents
The protest comes after previous incidents at asylum hotels in the area, including arson attacks.
Rawand Abdulrih, 36, of Epping, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life following fires at both the Phoenix Hotel on March 28 and the Bell Hotel on April 5.
The Home Office has been approached for comment regarding the future of asylum accommodation in Epping.
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