What the court heard
A man living in a migrant hotel in Epping allegedly told a 14-year-old girl he wanted her to have his baby and tried to kiss her, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court was told. The defendant, identified in court as Kebatu, is standing trial on multiple counts, all of which he denies.
Prosecutors said the encounter began with a brief, everyday exchange: the teenager offered slices of pizza to hotel residents. When she approached Kebatu, he allegedly took a slice, then made sexual advances despite her saying several times that she was 14. In a recorded statement played to the court, the girl said she felt “really sick to my stomach” and “really intimidated,” adding, “I wouldn’t think a full-grown man would think it was OK to do that.”
The court heard that the defendant told the teenager he wanted her to have his baby, then moved in to kiss her. The prosecution said “these advances were rejected.” The girl maintained her account under cross-examination, telling the defence she was certain he both took the pizza and made the comments.
Defence lawyer Molly Dyas pressed the teenager on the details, questioning whether the alleged remarks were made as claimed and whether a kiss was attempted. The girl stood by her version, stating she was clear about what happened and that she repeatedly stated her age.
The case file notes that Kebatu required an interpreter in Tigrinya, a language widely spoken in Eritrea. In conversation with the girl, he reportedly described his home country only as being in Africa and beginning with the letter “S.” The court did not confirm his nationality.
Prosecutors also introduced an allegation from another woman. She reported that on 8 July, Kebatu tried to kiss her, placed a hand on her leg, and told her she was pretty. That separate claim forms part of the broader case against him.
Kebatu denies all allegations. He faces five charges: 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. The trial is scheduled to run for two days. If magistrates find the facts too serious for their sentencing powers, they can send the case to Crown Court for sentencing under standard procedure.
Charges relating to sexual behaviour toward minors fall under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. “Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity” can apply even if no physical act occurs, and “attempted sexual assault” concerns actions that prosecutors argue were a step toward an offence. The defence position is that no such behaviour took place.
Police opened the investigation after the first complaint. The defendant was later charged and appeared in court with an interpreter, a common step when language could affect a defendant’s ability to follow proceedings. He remains at the Bell Hotel while the case is heard.
The hotel backdrop — and local tensions
The hearing has landed in the middle of a political and community debate about housing asylum seekers in hotels. The Bell Hotel in Epping is part of a network of sites used by the Home Office to accommodate people arriving and claiming asylum while their cases are processed. Local councils have argued the system stretches services and creates safeguarding worries when hotels are close to schools or town centres.
Earlier this month, Epping Forest District Council sought an interim injunction to stop the Bell Hotel being used to house migrants. Council leaders have said they received little notice when the site was selected and have raised concerns about pressure on local resources. The Home Office, for its part, has said the use of hotels is a contingency measure while it works through asylum claims and moves people into longer-term accommodation.
Community groups in and around Epping have split over the hotel’s role. Some residents want faster closure of hotel sites and tighter controls, pointing to safeguarding. Others argue the majority of residents seek safety and follow the rules, and that individual cases should not drive policy for all. Charities working with asylum seekers say reliable information, clear rules, and early access to legal advice can reduce risks and misunderstandings in and around such accommodation.
Courts often become the focal point for wider arguments that extend well beyond a single case. But legally, what matters in this trial is narrow: whether the prosecution can prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Magistrates will weigh testimony from the teenager, the second woman, any witnesses and CCTV if available, and the defendant’s account, which he contests through his plea.
The court has not announced any reporting restrictions beyond standard rules. As in all live proceedings, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the court finds the charges proven. Sentencing ranges vary by offence and are based on factors such as the age of the complainant, the nature of any contact, and whether there are aggravating features. If convicted, the court can impose requirements such as sex offender registration.
The trial continued on Tuesday, with legal argument and evidence heard in open court. A verdict could come as early as the end of the two-day listing, although cases sometimes overrun if additional evidence or translation needs arise.
Key points in the case so far:
- The teenager says she offered pizza; the defendant allegedly took a slice and made sexual advances, including a statement about having a baby.
- She says she told him several times she was 14; the prosecution says the advances were rejected.
- A second woman alleges an unwanted attempt to kiss her and a hand placed on her leg on 8 July.
- The defendant denies all allegations and is on trial at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court with an interpreter present.
- He remains accommodated at the Bell Hotel while proceedings continue.
The court is expected to reconvene for further evidence before magistrates consider their decision. Any change to the defendant’s accommodation or conditions would depend on the outcome and any subsequent orders from the bench.