Two men admit violent disorder over Epping asylum hotel protest

Two men have admitted engaging in violent disorder following demonstrations outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex.

Luke Fleming (21) of Buckhurst Hill, and Shaun Thompson (38) pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 23 March to a charge of violent disorder relating to a protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on July 17 last year.

Thompson, of Epping, also pleaded guilty last month to a charge of criminal damage after being accused of punching a police car.

Judge Alexander Mills released the defendants on bail and said a sentencing date would be confirmed in due course.

Multiple protests were held outside The Bell Hotel over the summer, after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

The Ethiopian national, who arrived in the UK on a small boat days before the incidents, was later found guilty of five offences – including sexual assault – at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

Kebatu was jailed but wrongfully freed from HMP Chelmsford in October, before he was detained and deported to Ethiopia later that month.