Asylum Seeker Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Says He's "Not a Wild Animal"

Strategic Insights -

An Ethiopian asylum seeker, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, has denied allegations of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl and touching her inappropriately, claiming he "can't do these kind of things" and is "not a wild animal". Kebatu, who arrived in the UK just days before the alleged incidents, told the court he only said "hello" to the schoolgirl and her friends, but nothing more, as he was "worried about my asylum case". The court also heard from an alleged adult victim, who said she felt "shocked" and "uncomfortable" after Kebatu allegedly touched her leg and told her she was pretty.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker, denies 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.
  • Kebatu claims he did not attempt to kiss the 14-year-old girl because he is "not a wild animal" and "can't do these kind of things, these are children, innocent children".
  • The alleged incidents sparked protests and counter-protests outside the former Bell Hotel and similar protests have been held outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.
  • The court heard evidence from an alleged adult victim, who said she felt "shocked" and "uncomfortable" after Kebatu allegedly touched her leg and told her she was pretty.
  • Kebatu told the court he was living in the Bell Hotel for around a week before his arrest, having travelled through Sudan, Libya, Italy, and France to get to the UK.

Statistics:

  • 2: The number of counts of sexual assault pleaded by Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu.
  • 3: The number of counts of attempted sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and harassment without violence pleaded by Kebatu.
  • 14: The age of the girl alleged to have been targeted by Kebatu.
  • 38: The age of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, as told to the court.
  • 7-8 July: The dates of the alleged incidents.
  • 9 August: The date of the court appearance for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu.
  • 4 September: The expected date of the verdict in the trial.

Sources:

  • [Daily Mail UK: "Asylum seeker, 38, denies attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl and touching her inappropriately, claiming he's 'not a wild animal'"]
  • [BBC News: "Asylum seeker appears in court over alleged sex assaults"]
  • [The Guardian: "Asylum seeker denies sexual assault allegations, says he's 'not a wild animal'"]