An Ethiopian asylum seeker sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl barely a week after arriving in the UK on a small boat.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denied the following offences, but was convicted following a trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 4th September 2025:
- One offence of attempted sexual assault: This is an offence under section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 and section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
- Two offences of sexual assault: This is an offence under section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
- One offence of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity: This is an offence under section 10(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 14 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
- One offence of harassment without violence: This is an offence under section 2(1) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum sentence of 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
Kebatu arrived in the UK on Sunday, 29th June 2025, having travelled on a small boat from France. His personal circumstances are clearly of relevance, given his very recent arrival in the country and method of entry. At various stages during proceedings he has given his age as both 41- and 38-years-old. There is no way of verifying his credentials, or any previous criminal history, as he arrived without documentation.
District Judge Christopher Williams, presided over the three-day trial.
The prosecution case, on which Kebatu has been convicted, is that he attempted to sexually assaulted the teenager on High Road, Epping, during the early evening of Monday, 7th July 2025. This offence may have been charged as an attempt for evidential reasons.
Kebatu had approached the girl, who was sat eating pizza with friends. Kebatu struck up conversation with the group and the girl offered him a slice of pizza because she thought he looked hungry. The 38-year-old placed his hand on the girl's thigh, stroked her hair and attempted to kiss her. He also invited her back to his accommodation, the nearby The Bell Hotel, and said he wanted to make a baby with her and her friend. The girl rejected Kebatu's advances and made it clear that she was only 14-years-old, to which Kebatu responded that age didn't matter.
On the evening of Tuesday, 8th July 2025 Kebatu approached the same group of youths, who were this time wearing school uniform. He put his hand on the thigh of the same girl and again tried to kiss her. This time Kebatu asked the girl to kiss one of her male friends. She was reluctant to do so, but eventually relented and kissed the boy on the cheek in the hope it might placate Kebatu.
A passing woman saw Kebatu's behaviour with the group and was concerned enough to approach and intervene. Kebatu sexually assaulted her by touching her thigh and trying to kiss her. The woman reported Kebatu's behaviour to the police, who attended the scene and arrested him a short time later.
Kebatu's defence, which has been rejected by the court, was that he did not commit the assaults or make the comments attributed to him. He also told the court that the complainants had conspired to fabricate the allegations.
Kebatu has been remanded in custody until his sentencing on Tuesday, 23rd September 2025. DJ Williams has warned him that a custodial sentence is the likely outcome, adding "it's just a question of how long."
The maximum sentence available to the Magistrates' Court for this combination of offences is 12 months' custody, but the matter could be sent to the Crown Court for sentencing if DJ Williams later determines that 12 months' is insufficient.
Kebatu has been on remand since 8th July 2025, which will count towards any custodial sentence imposed. Given that offenders only serve 40 percent of their time in custody at the moment, if Kebatu was handed a 12 month sentence it is likely he would be eligible for release only a few weeks after he is sentenced. Of course he could be held for longer in relation to his immigration status.
I should also mention that anyone convicted at the Magistrates' Court has an absolute right to appeal their sentence and/or conviction. Should Kebatu wish to do that, which I suggest is highly likely in the circumstances, then an application to appeal will need to be made within 21 days of his sentencing.
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