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Man told girls in Epping he wanted to 'have a baby', court hears Man told girls in Epping he wanted to 'have a baby', court hears
(32 minutes later)
Hadush Kebatu is on trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' CourtHadush Kebatu is on trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
A man told two 14-year-old girls eating pizza in a town centre that he "wanted to have a baby with them", a court heard. A man told two 14-year-old girls eating pizza in a town centre that he "wanted to have a baby with them" and tried to kiss them, a court heard.
Hadush Kebatu, from Ethiopia, is accused of making "inappropriate comments" after the children thought he looked hungry and offered him food in Epping, Essex, on 7 July. Hadush Kebatu, from Ethiopia, allegedly propositioned the teenagers "without any encouragement" after accepting an offer of food from them in Epping, Essex, on 7 July.
He then returned the following day and asked one of the girls to kiss her friend, Chelmsford Magistrates' Court was told. Allegations of the incident led to a wave of anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel, where Mr Kebatu was staying as an asylum seeker.
Mr Kebatu, an asylum seeker who was living at The Bell Hotel in High Road, Epping, is on trial having denied two sexual offences. He denies sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and harassment without violence.
He has also denied charges of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, attempted sexual assault and harassment without violence. In court, Mr Kebatu gave his date of birth as December 1986, making him 38, but court records have suggested he is 41.
Mr Kebatu gave his date of birth as in December 1986, making him 38, but court records have suggested he is 41. Prosecutor Stuart Cowen said Mr Kebatu recently arrived in the UK and the case had "attracted quite a lot of publicity because of the defendant's personal circumstances".
Protests took place outside The Bell Hotel in Epping after the allegations against Hadush Kebatu - who was lodging there - emerged Protests took place outside The Bell Hotel in Epping after the allegations against Hadush Kebatu - who was living there - emerged
Opening the trial, prosecutor Stuart Cowen said the defendant approached the girls, who were sitting on a bench eating pizza, and made "inappropriate comments". Opening the trial, Mr Cowen said the defendant approached the girls, who were sitting on a bench eating pizza, and made "inappropriate comments".
"It is the Crown's case he said he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them," Mr Cowen said."It is the Crown's case he said he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them," Mr Cowen said.
"He invited them back to The Bell Hotel where he was a resident, having recently arrived in the UK.""He invited them back to The Bell Hotel where he was a resident, having recently arrived in the UK."
Having been rejected and told the girls were 14, Mr Kebatu responded "age did not matter", Mr Cowen alleged. Having been rejected and told the girls were 14, Mr Kebatu responded "age did not matter", Mr Cowen said.
He said the girls left the area but were approached by the asylum seeker the following day.He said the girls left the area but were approached by the asylum seeker the following day.
On this occasion, it was alleged one of the teenagers was wearing her school uniform.On this occasion, it was alleged one of the teenagers was wearing her school uniform.
Mr Cowen said she became uncomfortable and when a male friend intervened, Mr Kebatu asked them to kiss before later placing his hand on her thigh.Mr Cowen said she became uncomfortable and when a male friend intervened, Mr Kebatu asked them to kiss before later placing his hand on her thigh.
"She will tell the court that while the defendant was behaving in this way, he appeared to have an erection," the prosecutor added."She will tell the court that while the defendant was behaving in this way, he appeared to have an erection," the prosecutor added.
In an interview with police, played to the court, one of the girls said Mr Kebatu "kept leaning in, pouting his lips" at her, adding "he was really eager for a kiss".In an interview with police, played to the court, one of the girls said Mr Kebatu "kept leaning in, pouting his lips" at her, adding "he was really eager for a kiss".
"[He said] if I come back to the hotel with him we can make babies," she alleged."[He said] if I come back to the hotel with him we can make babies," she alleged.
Asked how it made her feel, the girl told an officer: "I couldn't really move, it just shocked me. I didn't know what to do. My mind went blank."Asked how it made her feel, the girl told an officer: "I couldn't really move, it just shocked me. I didn't know what to do. My mind went blank."
Epping Forest District Council secured a High Court victory temporarily blocking The Bell Hotel from housing asylum seekers on 19 AugustEpping Forest District Council secured a High Court victory temporarily blocking The Bell Hotel from housing asylum seekers on 19 August
Judge Christopher Williams was told a woman asked if Mr Kebatu needed help, but, shortly afterwards, he "sexually assaulted her by putting his hand on her leg" and trying to kiss her. Judge Christopher Williams was also told a woman asked if Mr Kebatu needed help, but, shortly afterwards, he "sexually assaulted her by putting his hand on her leg" and trying to kiss her.
Police officers were called and arrested Mr Kebatu nearby, the court was told.Police officers were called and arrested Mr Kebatu nearby, the court was told.
Allegations of the incident led to a wave of anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel.
On 19 August, Epping Forest District Council secured a High Court victory temporarily blocking the venue from housing asylum seekers.On 19 August, Epping Forest District Council secured a High Court victory temporarily blocking the venue from housing asylum seekers.
The trial, expected to conclude on Wednesday, continues.The trial, expected to conclude on Wednesday, continues.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.