Iranian Bell Hotel migrant vows to get 'train to Glasgow' to avoid anti-asylum protests

An Iranian asylum seeker living in the Bell Hotel in Epping has said he will be "in Glasgow" to escape an anti-migrant protest scheduled to take place on Sunday.

The migrant, wearing aviator sunglasses, who did not give his name, said that he intended to travel to Scotland for the weekend to avoid the planned demonstration. Asked by the Express how he planned to get there, he said simply: "The train."

According to popular train ticket booking site Trainline.com, a single fare from London to Glasgow this Sunday costs £186.90. The migrant did not say whether he had a train ticket already or was planning to buy one.

A "large protest" is planned outside the three-star accommodation on Sunday after one its former residents - Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 41 - was jailed for 12 months for multiple offences, including sexually assaulting a 14-year-old local girl.

Prosecutors told Chelmsford Magistrates' Court that Kebatu tried to kiss the teen, placed his hand on her thigh, and stroked her hair.

He also made comments such as "come back to Africa, you would be a good wife" and "we will have babies, then go to Kenya with each other." He was also accused of persistently approaching her despite her rejections.

A second complainant, an adult woman who had offered to help him write a CV, said Kebatu put his hand on her leg, tried to kiss her, and called her pretty. She told the court the encounter left her shocked and uncomfortable.

In total, Kebatu faced 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.

After a short trial, District Judge Christopher Williams returned guilty verdicts on all five counts on September 4.

Local residents told Express.co.uk that they no longer allowed their children out on the High Street, in the wake of the Kebatu case.

Andre Wellman, 48, told this website he didn't think the sentence was sufficiently long. The local resident, who hails from South Africa, added: "12 months - I don't think it's enough. However, probably the best way is to find out where these guys are coming from and send them back.

"My concern is they could be anyone - living in a society, walking down the street as well. You don't know who's walking past you."

Mr Wellman, who moved to the UK in 2000, went on to say he no longer lets his 13-year-old daughter out alone: "Now it's [Epping High Street] a no-go. For her to leave the house, one of us has to be with her."

Another resident who lives just outside Epping said she still believed Kebatu "poses a danger" and that his sentence was too lenient.