Ethiopian migrant jailed for sexual assaults in Epping for 12 months

An Ethiopian national has been jailed for 12 months after a magistrates court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman and a 14 year old girl in Epping, Essex, in early July, only days after he arrived in the United Kingdom by a small boat. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was convicted at a three day trial of 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, District Judge Christopher Williams said at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

The court was told the incidents occurred on July 7 and 8. Prosecutors said Kebatu approached a group of teenagers sitting on a bench after accepting an offer of pizza, made inappropriate comments including that he wanted to have a baby with one girl, attempted to kiss her, put his hand on her thigh and later tried to encourage her to kiss another child. An adult woman who intervened told the court he tried to kiss her and touched her leg when she offered to help with his CV.

Victim impact statements read in court described lasting effects. The 14 year old said she now checks over her shoulder when out with friends and that...