Epping asylum hotel protests see two more in court

A third man has been charged with violent disorder while two others appear in court following demonstrations outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers.

Hundreds of people have attended protests outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on four different occasions this month.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that Shaun Thompson, 37, of Western Avenue, Epping, was allegedly identified on footage jumping on police vehicles and punching windows on 17 July.

Essex Police said a total of nine people had been charged with offences.

Prosecutor George Dixon said Mr Thompson damaged property belonging to a Metropolitan Police officer in Epping which was either “reckless or intentional”.

He caused £1,000 in damage, he added.

Mr Thompson pleaded guilty to criminal damage, but not guilty to violent disorder, and he was released on bail.

He was told not to go within 100m of The Bell Hotel.

Aaron Elles, 28, of The Lawn, Harlow, pleaded guilty to committing violent disorder and possessing cannabis on 17 July. He was remanded into custody.

Both defendants are due again at Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August, where they are expected to appear alongside other men accused of offences related to the demonstrations.

The Crown Prosecution Service said a third man, Lee Gower, 43, was charged with violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker.

Crowds gathered outside the Epping Forest District Council offices and outside the hotel on Thursday night.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said he was “really grateful” to people in Epping who made their voices heard “peacefully”.

The protests – against the use of the hotel – have followed a man living in the hotel being arrested, and subsequently charged, with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and is in custody.