Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl in Epping, Essex, in July. The assaults occurred near the asylum hotel where Kebatu had been housed, prompting public outcry and protests from local residents concerned about safety and transparency in the asylum accommodation system.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Kebatu approached both victims in separate incidents, subjecting them to unwanted physical contact. He was arrested shortly after and pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. The judge noted the seriousness of the offences but also considered Kebatu’s lack of prior convictions and his vulnerable status as an asylum seeker.
The case has reignited debate over the management of asylum housing in the UK, particularly in suburban areas where community consultation has been limited. Protesters gathered outside the Epping asylum hotel following the assaults, demanding greater oversight and accountability from the Home Office.
Authorities have since reviewed security protocols at the facility, while advocacy groups caution against stigmatizing asylum seekers based on individual criminal cases. The Home Office has not issued a formal statement on the matter.
The-Royal-Courts-of-Justice-Picture-from-geograph.org_.uk-by-John-Allan
