Man denies sexual assaults in town

A man has denied committing three sexual assaults in two days in Essex.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, is accused of offences in Epping on Monday and Tuesday - eight days after he arrived in the UK by boat.

The allegations led to the leader of Epping Forest District Council calling for a hotel housing asylum seekers in the town to be closed.

The 38-year-old defendant, of High Road in Epping, was remanded in custody after the hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

He also denied charges of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and harassment without violence.

Mr Kebatu would face a trial within 56 days, District Judge Christopher Williams said.

Prosecutor Serena Berry told the 45-minute hearing that one of the alleged victims had been approached "on a busy High Street".

She said Mr Kebatu had "no ties to anyone or any place in the UK", adding: "Immigration have confirmed he has only been in the UK since 29 June 2025."

Raphael Piggott, defending, said: "I believe he is here as a refugee or asylum seeker, and that he arrived informally on a boat."

Mr Piggott told the BBC after the hearing that it was believed Mr Kebatu, who spoke only to enter his pleas and confirm his personal details, was Ethiopian.

Essex Police said it became aware of alleged offences from Monday after a girl reported concerns on Tuesday.

Supt Tim Tubbs said: "We're aware of a significant amount of public discussion around this case – and I understand that."

Targeted police patrols would continue in the town, he added.

Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of Epping Forest District Council, thanked officers for their "rapid and effective" response.

"The events that took place in Epping on Tuesday are both deeply disturbing and extremely concerning," he said, adding the local authority had opposed a local hotel being used to house asylum seekers.

A Home Office spokeswoman told the BBC the asylum system was under "unprecedented strain".

"That was the situation the government inherited, but we have begun to restore order, with a rapid increase in asylum decision-making and the removal of more than 24,000 people with no right to be in the UK," she said.

"By restoring order to the system, we will be able to end the use of asylum hotels over time, and reduce the overall costs to the taxpayer of asylum accommodation."

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