Now staying with this topic and an
asylum seeker from Ethiopia is on trial
for sexual assault following allegations
he had harassed a 14-year-old girl in
Essex. Hadush Kibbatu was staying at the
Bell Hotel in Eping where the site of
protests uh when the alleged offenses
took place back in July. Sad Chowry has
more.
>> Well, the teenager told the court she
was sexually assaulted by a man who told
her he'd arrived in the UK 5 days
earlier by boat. The 14-year-old, who
cannot be named for legal reasons, said
Hadush Gabra Salassi Kabatu attempted to
kiss her and that he'd put his hand on
her thigh. She said he told her he was
staying at the Bell Hotel in Eping and
wanted to make babies with her and her
friend. The child said she'd been having
pizza with friends and that the
defendant was hovering around looking
hungry. She said they offered him some
pizza and he sat down next to her before
the inappropriate behavior started. The
crown argues this was without
encouragement and that despite being
informed that they were 14 and despite
repeated rejections, Kabatu's behavior
continued. Mr. Kabatu denies three
counts of sexual assault, one count of
inciting a girl to engage in sexual
activity and one count of harassment
without violence. The alleged attacks
took place on July 7th and July 8th this
year when Kavatu is also accused of
trying to kiss a woman. Today he told
the court he is 38 years old and
otherwise spoke only to give his name
and his address as the Bell Hotel in