Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian immigrant who sparked protests in the UK city of Epping, Essex, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexual assault.

Colchester City Court found Hadush guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and an adult woman at a hearing held on September 5, 2025.

The judge who handed down the sentence said Hadush was "incompetent" to speak about his crimes, citing his inability to speak English and mental health issues.

"You have repeatedly cried, you have said you were ashamed. You feel guilty and ashamed not because of what you did, but because of the pressure your actions have put on you," he said.

"You knew she was 14. She told you so. You didn't see her and her friends wearing uniforms," the judge added.

"Even though the teenager made it clear that she didn't like your behavior, you didn't stop following the teenager," the judge said.