'Violent mob’ at Epping asylum hotel protest attacked police, court told
Two men from Upminster are on trial accused of violent disorder during protests at The Bell Hotel in Epping last July
Last updated 24th Mar 2026
Two men from Upminster are on trial accused of violent disorder during protests at The Bell Hotel in Epping last July.
Lee Gower, 43, and Phillip Curson, 53, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court facing allegations connected to the demonstrations, which turned violent.
The protests began after asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu, originally from Ethiopia, arrived in the UK on a small boat days before the offence. He was later found guilty and jailed but was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford before subsequently being deported.
During the opening of the trial, prosecutor Sam Willis said the protest led to significant public disorder.
Mr Willis explained, “This case is about an incident of serious and sustained public disorder arising from a protest in Epping in July of last year.”
He described the defendants as part of a group that resorted to violence and vandalism, creating chaos in the area.
The court heard that the unrest escalated around 4 pm when crowds gathered at The Bell Hotel. About 400 to 500 people were present. Around 5.30 pm, counter-protesters arrived at Epping train station, escorted by the police who aimed to keep the groups separate.
Mr Willis told jurors that violence from Gower, Curson and “others, both identified and unknown” included “punching, kicking, throwing, pushing, and shoving – mostly aimed at police officers and police vehicles, but also sometimes aimed at the counter-protesters”.
He aid: “From that point on until around 10pm, what had been a peaceful protest descended into serious public disorder in the streets of Epping.
“Police officers were subjected to sustained attacks, including acts and threats of violence. Officers were grabbed, pushed, punched, and kicked.
“Police vans were kicked and damaged. Objects were repeatedly thrown towards the officers and counter-protestors. Damage was caused to public property.”
Gower was seen on video pushing and grappling with Chief Inspector Austin, while Curson tried to kick a police officer.
Barrister Tony Wyatt stated that Gower acted in response to what he perceived as unfair police conduct.
Mr Wyatt said, “His belief was that when the police came there, they came there on the side of counter-protesters.”
“They turned up with the counter-protesters and brought the counter-protesters to the site and it was the belief of Lee Gower that they had chosen sides – they were not there to police the matter, they were partisan.”
Barrister Stefan Bisson told jurors that Curson was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” having been at the nearby George and Dragon pub with his partner before the protest, adding that any physical force used was “in self-defence or in defence of others”.
Both defendants deny using unlawful violence.
The trial continues.