The small town of Epping, Essex, found itself thrust into the national spotlight this summer after a shocking case involving an asylum seeker housed at a local hotel ignited heated debates and widespread protests. The events surrounding Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker, have not only unsettled the local community but have also deepened national tensions over the UK government’s controversial policy of housing migrants in hotels—a practice now set to end before the next general election.
On July 7 and 8, 2025, Kebatu, who had arrived in England just days earlier, committed a series of sexual offences targeting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping. According to BBC News, prosecutors told Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court that Kebatu approached the girl and her friend, making inappropriate comments such as, “Come back to Africa, you would be a good wife.” The girl, acting out of kindness, had offered him pizza because he looked hungry. Instead of gratitude, Kebatu tried to kiss her, touched her thigh, and shockingly expressed his desire to have a baby with her and her friend. The following day, while the girl was in her school uniform, Kebatu again attempted to kiss her and placed his hand on her leg. When a woman intervened, Kebatu sexually assaulted her as well.
During his three-day trial, Kebatu denied all charges, insisting, “I am not a wild animal.” But District Judge Christopher Williams found the girl’s evidence consistent and credible, ruling out any fabrication by her or other witnesses. On September 4, 2025, Kebatu was convicted of two counts of sexual assault, harassment, attempting to sexually assault the girl, and inciting her to engage in sexual activity. The judge warned Kebatu to expect a prison sentence when he is sentenced on September 23.
The verdict prompted immediate and visceral reactions from both the migrant community and local residents. Mohamed, a Somali asylum seeker who had been staying at The Bell Hotel for five months, told the BBC, “He’s gone and we hope he doesn’t come back again.” Mohamed added, “People, they don’t like him. Nobody wanted him and we don’t want him to come back. The Epping population now don’t like the asylum seekers because it’s a shock what he did to a small girl.”
Protests erupted outside The Bell Hotel following Kebatu’s arrest and conviction, with some demonstrations turning violent, as reported by Eastern Eye. The unrest soon spilled beyond Epping, triggering similar protests across the country during a period of heightened anxiety over immigration. The local council even obtained a temporary injunction to prevent asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel, although this was overturned after a government appeal.
The case has become a lightning rod for criticism of the government’s policy of housing migrants in hotels. As of June 2025, more than 32,000 migrants were living in hotels across the UK, according to government data cited by Eastern Eye. The policy, intended as a temporary solution to rising asylum applications and limited accommodation, has been lambasted for its high cost and the strain it places on local communities. Many residents argue that the practice disrupts community cohesion and places undue pressure on local services.
In the wake of Kebatu’s conviction, Sue Russo of the community group Epping For Everyone voiced what many locals felt: “We welcome the verdict that this man has been convicted. We feel fundamentally front and centre for the young woman in this, that’s really important to say.” For others, the incident has reinforced negative stereotypes and fueled resentment against asylum seekers more broadly, despite the fact that the majority have committed no crimes.
The British government, under mounting pressure from both opposition politicians and its own constituents, has pledged to end the practice of housing asylum seekers in hotels before the next general election, scheduled for 2029. The debate has become a political flashpoint, with critics accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of prioritizing migrants’ rights over those of local residents. The government’s approach to migration is now under intense scrutiny, especially as immigration has overtaken the economy and the National Health Service as the top concern among Britons, according to a recent Ipsos survey.
Meanwhile, the government has announced a temporary suspension of the refugee family reunion scheme as part of broader efforts to curb irregular migration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told parliament, “We do need to address the immediate pressures on local authorities and the risks from criminal gangs using family reunion as a pull factor to encourage more people onto dangerous boats.” Nearly 21,000 refugee family reunion visas were granted in the year to June 2025, most to women and children. Under new reforms, contribution requirements and longer waiting periods are expected to be introduced for family members seeking to join relatives in the UK.
As for the broader migration picture, over 111,000 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025—the highest figure since records began in 2001. Since Starmer took office in July 2024, more than 50,000 migrants have crossed the Channel from northern France. The government has brokered a “one-in, one-out” agreement with France, allowing the UK to return some migrants who crossed the Channel, while accepting an equal number from France through a new online visa system. The first returns are expected later this month, with priority given to vulnerable groups and those with family ties in Britain.
For the residents of Epping, the events of July and the subsequent fallout have left a lasting mark. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the assaults and the protests, while the national debate on migration policy rages on. As Kebatu awaits sentencing, his actions have become a symbol—rightly or wrongly—of the complex challenges facing the UK as it seeks to balance humanitarian obligations with public safety and social cohesion.
With the government poised to end hotel accommodation for asylum seekers and reform migration rules, the Kebatu case serves as a stark reminder that behind every statistic and policy decision lies a human story—sometimes tragic, often contentious, and always deeply felt.
