Public outrage has grown after a man who arrived in the UK on a small boat committed sexual assaults just days after entering the country.
The case, which has led to mass protests, now raises big questions about deportation rules and how the government handles foreign offenders.
Who Is the Man at the Centre of It All?
The offender, 38-year-old Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, was found guilty of five offences following incidents involving a woman and a 14-year-old girl.
His trial took place at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates’ courts, where a judge later sentenced him to a year behind bars.
Judge Condemns His Behaviour
During sentencing, Judge Williams did not hold back.
He told Kebatu his actions showed “a poor regard for women” and that his apparent shame wasn’t about what he had done, but rather about being caught.
The court also heard that he had shown little willingness to open up about his past or his motives, refusing to engage properly with probation officers.
The Push for Deportation
The Home Office has made it clear they will seek to deport Kebatu once he serves his prison sentence.
His own lawyer said he wants to be removed from the UK, something he apparently wished even before his trial.
But deporting him may not be straightforward.
Britain does not have a formal returns agreement with Ethiopia, and Kebatu could appeal against deportation by citing human rights protections under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Why Deportation May Not Be Easy
While the UK regularly returns some people to Ethiopia, not every part of the country is considered safe.
That complicates things. Ethiopia is also not among the 23 countries covered by the government’s “deport now, appeal later” policy.
This means Kebatu could mount a challenge that delays or even blocks his removal.
Victims Speak Out
The victims’ voices in court painted a harrowing picture.
The teenage girl explained how she now feels unsafe every time she steps out with her friends, even changing out of her school uniform to avoid feeling exposed.
The woman who was assaulted expressed her anger, saying Kebatu seemed unaware he had done anything wrong, adding: “How would he feel if this was his mother, his daughter, his wife?”
What Happened During the Incidents
Court testimony revealed disturbing details.
On July 7, Kebatu approached a group of teenagers eating pizza on a bench in Epping.
Offered some food, he sat with them and made sexual remarks to the 14-year-old, even suggesting he wanted to have a baby with her.
The following day, he returned, this time targeting her while she was in school uniform.
His persistence, despite clear rejection, left the girl deeply distressed.
Courtroom Reactions
Kebatu appeared nervous and emotional throughout the proceedings, at times crying and claiming he was ashamed.
However, the judge made it clear his remorse did not stem from the crimes but from their consequences.
He was also told there was no realistic chance of rehabilitation, and that he posed a significant risk of reoffending.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences
Along with his prison term, Kebatu was placed on the sex offenders register, handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and ordered to pay £650 in court costs.
His case also comes at a time when new rules allow for foreign offenders serving fixed terms to be deported earlier — after serving 30% of their sentence instead of 50%.
That means Kebatu has already passed the threshold and is now eligible for removal.
Government Stance
The Home Office has stressed that when foreign nationals commit serious crimes, it will always push to remove them from the UK.
A spokesperson noted that nearly 5,200 foreign criminals were deported in the government’s first year, a 14% rise on the year before.
Officials say they will continue doing everything possible to protect communities and ensure offenders like Kebatu do not remain on UK streets.
What Comes Next?
The question now is whether Kebatu will be successfully deported after serving his sentence, or if legal appeals will complicate the process.
For victims and communities shaken by the crimes, only one thing is clear — they expect the government to act firmly to prevent similar cases from happening again.