Hadush Kebatu is jailed for 12 months for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl in Epping
Kebatu, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia who was staying at The Bell Hotel, had also been found guilty of attempted sexual assault, inciting a child into sexual activity and harassment without violence
His arrest led to a wave of anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations in July
Delivering the sentence, the judge said Kebatu "knew full well" his victim "was only 14 years of age" and that he posed a "significant risk" of reoffending
The girl earlier told the court her school uniform now makes her "feel exposed", while Kebatu's adult victim said his actions made her angry
The court heard Kebatu wanted to be deported "as soon as possible". He gave no reaction as he was sentenced
Our live coverage of the sentencing of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court has now come to an end.
The Ethiopian national has been jailed for 12 months for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman.
His arrest had sparked protests and counter-demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he had been living as an asylum seeker.
He had arrived in the UK eight days earlier.
Read the full story here.
Image source, Essex PoliceEssex Police have released a custody picture of Hadush Kebatu, who has been jailed for 12 months after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman.
He was also made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order - which bans him from contacting any female not already known to him.
He will be added to the sex offenders' register for 10 years, the force confirmed in a statement, adding that he would now be subject "to strict monitoring for the whole of that time".
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper says the conviction "has only been achieved because of the bravery of two women who were the victim of sexual offences and felt they could come to us for help".
“They came forward and trusted us with their experience and today I want to say a personal thank you to them for their courage," Hooper adds.
He also addresses the protests that sparked after the incidents.
"Many people have wanted to make their voices heard legitimately on these issues," he says.
"Some, however, have used them as a reason to commit crime and to carry out disorder and that’s not acceptable."
Hooper also notes that "no crime can become an excuse for what we've seen at times in Epping throughout the summer".
Image source, Getty ImagesWe can now bring you some reaction to Hadush Ketanu's sentencing from the Conservatives.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp says Kebatu, who has now been jailed for 12 months, must be deported "immediately".
Earlier, ahead of the sentencing, Ketanu's defence barrister said he hoped to be deported "as soon as possible".
"The reality is this vile crime should never have been allowed to happen," Philp says, adding that towns like Epping "should never have been put in this position".
"Illegal immigrants should not be housed in hotels, they should be deported," he adds, referring to asylum seekers who seek refuge in the UK and have to be housed in hotels due to accommodation shortages.
Bodycam footage shows Hadush Kebatu being arrested for Epping assault
Hadush Kebatu has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of five charges, including sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman.
As he delivered the sentence, District Judge Christopher Williams called Kebatu "manipulative" and also referenced the impact of his offences on other asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel since his arrest.
One of his victims, a 14-year-old girl, said her school uniform now makes her feel "exposed". In a statement read out by the prosecutor ahead of the sentencing, the girl said that "every time I go out with my friends I am checking over my shoulder".
The judge told Kebatu he "knew full well she was only 14 years of age", adding that "not only had she told you this, her friends were wearing school uniform".
The adult victim who was also sexually assaulted by Kebatu said she felt "both angered and frustrated" by events in July. The judge commended the woman, saying she had "rightly stood up for herself" and "just as importantly, stood up for those more vulnerable than her".
Kebatu’s defence barrister, Molly Dyas, said the defendant’s “firm wish is to be deported as soon as possible", as he has been suffering with his mental health.
Before delivering the sentence, the judge said Kebatu had tried to take his own life while in prison, but he could not have a suspended prison sentence as there was "no realistic prospect" of rehabilitation and posed a "significant risk of reoffending".
Kebatu's defence barrister told the court that Kebatu - who is from Ethiopia - had faced a "difficult and lengthy journey" from east Africa, including the use of a small boat to get into the UK.
Lewis Adams
Reporting from Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
All eyes were on Hadush Kebatu as the judge told him he'd be serving an immediate prison sentence.
He held his hands together and didn't react as his fate was confirmed.
The judge orders Kebatu to pay £650 in costs to the court when he is released.
He also makes a Sexual Harm Prevention Order against Kebatu and says he must sign the sex offenders' register.
The judge then says Kebatu can be taken down to begin serving his sentence.
He nods, bows and is ushered out of the courtroom by a security guard.
Lewis Adams
Reporting from Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
Before sentencing, Judge Williams said Kebatu had tried to take his own life while on remand in prison.
But he said he could not suspend the 12-month prison sentence because there was "no realistic prospect" of him being rehabilitated.
"You pose a significant risk of reoffending," the judge adds.
Hadush Kebatu has been jailed for 12 months at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.
The judge has now moved on to the sentencing guidelines.
It means he will pass sentence on Kebatu imminently, so stick with us for the latest.
The woman who called the police should be commended, the judge has just said.
"She is a confident woman who rightly stood up for herself," he says.
"And, just as importantly, stood up for those more vulnerable than her."
The judge is now referring to what happened to the adult victim, who had offered to help Kebatu with his CV.
"It is hard to understand why you then placed your hand on her thigh whilst you told her she was pretty," he says.
"She gave you no evidence at all to suggest she wanted you to do so.
"It isn’t simply you misread the situation, you acted ignorantly and repulsively.
"The fact you tried to suggest she was the one acting inappropriately to you is just as appalling.
"It really highlights the poor regard you must have for women."
We're now hearing more about the moment Kebatu asked the 14-year-old girl to kiss her friend.
"You became aroused at this stage," Judge Williams says.
"It must've been disgusting and sickening to [the girl] what must've occurred."
Now referencing Kebatu's second encounter with the girl on 8 July, the judge says his offending is aggravated by the fact of her age.
"It occurs the day after you attempted to kiss her," he remarks.
"It must've been abundantly clear to you that your behaviour was unwanted.
"That did not stop you seeking out the children and approaching them again."
Lewis Adams
Reporting from Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
"You knew full well she was only 14 years of age," the judge says to Kebatu.
"Not only had she told you this, her friends were wearing school uniform."
Lewis Adams
Reporting from Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
Kebatu is standing up in the dock while the judge is delivering his remarks.
He is holding his hands together by his waist and alternates from looking at the judge and the translator assisting him.
The judge now turns to the impact Kebatu's offending has had on the UK.
As a reminder, thousands of people have protested outside The Bell Hotel since his arrest.
"You told the probation officer you were aware of the unrest your offending had caused and you acknowledge that other law-abiding asylum seekers were impacted by the offending," he says.
"However, in the same interview you seeked to portray yourself as a victim and that you'd been made to be a scapegoat.
"Your offending as an asylum seeker housed at The Bell Hotel caused such a response from the public, particularly in Epping, but also across the United Kingdom.
"It resulted in mass demonstrations and the fear that children in the United Kingdom are not safe."
The judge is continuing to reference Kebatu's interview with the Probation Service.
"You repeatedly cried and said you were ashamed," he says, but adds Kebatu offered "no explanation" for why he felt this way.
"It is evident that your shame and remorse is not because of the offences you've committed, but because of the impact they have had."
Lewis Adams
Reporting from Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
The judge begins by saying Kebatu was "very reluctant" to talk to the Probation Service about his offending.
Kebatu is said to have raised a lack of English and mental health difficulties as a reason why he could not remember what happened.
"The probation officer did not consider this was accurate and concluded you were being manipulative.
"I agree with that assessment."
District Judge Christopher Williams has returned to the courtroom and is about to sentence Kebatu.
Stick with us.
Lewis Adams
Reporting from Chelmsford Magistrates' Court
Concluding mitigation, Dyas says: "Mr Kebatu is very keen to conclude this case as soon as possible."
With that, the judge rises to consider the sentence he will pass.
He says it will be five minutes before he returns to the courtroom.