Epping Man Sentenced for Sexual Assaults, Protests Erupt
An Ethiopian man received a year-long prison sentence for sexual assaults on a woman and a teenage girl in Epping, England, with the news prompting protests in the town.
Hadush Gerberthrassy Kebatz, 41, was taken into custody in July after he assaulted a teenage girl sitting on a bench. Earlier, he had also assaulted a woman who had offered to assist him with his job application. According to Essex police, Kebatz had made unwanted sexual advances towards the same teenage girl a day prior.
Essex Police Assistant Stuart Hooper emphasized, “This outcome was only made possible by the bravery of two women who came forward as victims of sexual crimes.”
Following his arrest, thousands gathered in Epping, near a hotel housing asylum seekers, chanting phrases like “save our children” and “send them home.” District council officials noted that the level of protest and confusion surrounding the situation led to an order to halt the use of hotels for immigrants.
The protests quickly spread beyond Epping to various regions across the country.
District Judge Christopher Williams remarked, “It’s surprising that your actions as an asylum seeker at Bell Hotel could provoke such a strong public outcry.” He noted the widespread concerns regarding the safety of children in the UK and remarked on the nature of the protests.
Hooper pointed out that while many demonstrators raised valid issues, some had used the situation as a pretext to engage in criminal behavior, which is unacceptable.
Issues surrounding sexual offenses linked to immigration have repeatedly stirred controversy in the UK. A report from January indicated that immigrants were significantly more likely to commit sexual crimes compared to British citizens.
Kebatz was convicted on two counts of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, and harassment without violence. He received the maximum sentence of 12 months in magistrate’s court. Additionally, he will be listed on the UK sex offender register for a decade and must adhere to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching women.
