Colchester, England (BN24) — An asylum seeker accused of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl outside a hotel in Essex has denied the allegations in court, insisting through an interpreter, “I’m not a wild animal.”
On the second day of his trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, repeatedly rejected claims that he tried to kiss the teenager, touched her thigh, and brushed her hair. The Ethiopian national, who told the court he had been a sports teacher in his home country, arrived in Britain just days before the alleged incidents after traveling through Italy and France and paying around €2,500 (£2,155) to cross the Channel in a rubber dinghy.
Prosecutors allege Kebatu approached the girl and asked her to return with him to the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where asylum seekers were being housed. He is further accused of telling the girl she would be a “good wife” and asking her to “have babies” with him before suggesting they could go to Kenya together.
The alleged incident has fueled community tensions, sparking protests and counter-protests outside the Bell Hotel, echoing demonstrations that have taken place at other hotels across the country where asylum seekers are being accommodated.
Witness Testimony
The court heard from a female witness who accused Kebatu of sexually assaulting her the day after the alleged incident with the teenager. She testified that the defendant touched her thigh and attempted to kiss her, leaving her feeling “shocked” and “uncomfortable.”
She told the court she confronted Kebatu after seeing him speaking with a schoolgirl in uniform, describing how he “begged, pleaded, and apologized” while saying he had made “a mistake.” Her 999 call to police was also played, during which she described the man as a “paedophile” and told officers he was living at the Bell Hotel.
Defense lawyer Molly Dyas suggested the witness fabricated her claims out of anger toward asylum seekers. The woman strongly rejected that suggestion, saying, “I know exactly what I saw. I’ve no issue with asylum seekers.”
Accounts From Teenagers
Testimony from the girl’s teenage friends was also played in court. A 14-year-old boy said Kebatu followed their group into a Tesco store and repeatedly stared at them. Another boy said Kebatu described two girls in the group as “pretty,” asked them for kisses, and offered pizza before suggesting they accompany him to the Bell Hotel.
According to the witness, Kebatu allegedly told the girls, “Come back to Africa, you would be a good wife.”
The Defendant’s Position
Kebatu has denied all charges, which include two counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence.
When asked in court about the allegations, he responded: “I can’t do these kind of things. These are children, new generation.” He also reportedly told police, “She’s young enough to be my child,” during an initial interview before refusing to answer further questions.
Footage of his arrest was shown in court, revealing Kebatu crying and dropping to his knees before police officers.
The trial, now in its second day, continues at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.
