LONDON (AP) — An Ethiopian man was found guilty Thursday of sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl days after he had sought asylum in Britain, in a case that triggered angry protests at hotels housing migrants.
A judge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court east of London convicted Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu of 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.
Prosecutors said Kebatu, 41, had arrived in England by small boat just over a week before he tried to kiss the 14-year-old on a bench in the town of Epping, put his hand on her thigh and stroked her hair.
He also sexually assaulted a woman who had offered to help him with his CV by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty, the prosecution said.
Kebatu had denied the charges.
Judge Christopher Williams said he would sentence the defendant on Sept. 23.
Kebatu's arrest and prosecution sparked protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he was staying along with other newly arrived migrants. More protests followed, in Epping and other towns, involving local people but also organized and attended by far-right activists. In some cases the demonstrators were outnumbered by counterprotesters supporting refugees.
Tensions have long simmered over the British government’s policy of using hotels to house migrants who are awaiting a decision on their asylum status. Critics say it costs taxpayers millions of pounds, while the hotels become flashpoints in communities and leave migrants feeling targeted by local residents.
The British government has pledged to stop migrants trying to reach Britain across the Channel and to end the use of asylum hotels, but says it will take time.
Follow AP’s Europe coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/europe
Protesters gather outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, near London, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 after a temporary injunction that would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel was overturned. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Police officers escort protesters near the Bell Hotel in Epping, London, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 after a temporary injunction that would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel was overturned. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson is out for the season because of a fracture in his neck that he suffered in the team's loss against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
First-year coach Mike LaFleur made the surprise announcement Monday, saying the injury happened on the fourth play of the game and that Wilson played through it. Wilson finished with six catches for 60 yards in the team's 17-3 loss.
“He said (during the game) he kind of had a kink in his neck, but he's such a warrior you didn't think much of it,” LaFleur said. “Then obviously when the adrenaline wore down and he got his test today, that's when we knew.”
LaFleur also said quarterback Gardner Minshew is having tests on his ailing throwing arm and the team should know more on his status later this week. If Minshew can't play this weekend, it would open the door for rookie Carson Beck to get his first regular-season NFL action.
Beck was a third-round pick out of Miami.
Wilson is second on the team with 546 yards receiving and two touchdowns, despite playing through two broken ribs. The 26-year-old — a third-round pick out of Stanford in 2023 — had his first 1,000-yard season last year.
The Cardinals have now lost their top three receivers — two to injuries and one to a trade. Kendrick Bourne is out for the year with an ankle injury while former first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. was dealt to the Houston Texans last month.
Arizona (3-6) will try to snap a 10-game home losing streak when it hosts the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II, right, hands the ball off to Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson )(14) makes a touchdown catch as Dallas Cowboys safety P.J. Locke (1) looks on during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) is unable to make a catch as Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori defends during an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)
