LONDON (AP) — A British judge on Tuesday sentenced an asylum-seeker to 12 months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl, charges that sparked a wave of angry protests against migrants across the United Kingdom.
Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was found guilty of five offenses, including sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and harassment.
Kebatu’s arrest and prosecution prompted thousands of people to protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, northeast of London, where he was staying along with other newly-arrived migrants. Multiple protests targeting other hotels housing migrants followed in other British cities and towns, with some demonstrations attended by far-right activists and spilling into disorder.
The group Stand up to Racism also rallied counterprotests.
Prosecutors said Kebatu, 41, had arrived in England by boat just over a week before the July day when he approached the 14-year-old in Epping, attempted to kiss her and placed his hand on the girl's thigh.
They said he also sexually assaulted a female member of the public who intervened.
Kebatu's lawyer said he wanted to be deported after serving his time in prison.
District Judge Christopher Williams said Kebatu “couldn’t have anticipated” that his actions would cause mass protests.
“You couldn’t have anticipated that your offending behavior as an asylum-seeker housed at the Bell Hotel would cause such a response from the public,” he said. “Particularly in Epping, but also across the U.K. resulting in mass demonstrations and fear that children in the U.K. are not safe.”
Tensions have long simmered over unauthorized migration — especially the tens of thousands of migrants crossing the English Channel in overloaded boats to reach the U.K. — as well as 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.
FILE - Protesters hold placards during a demonstration in Orpington near London, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
FILE - A police officer walks outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, near London, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Female rapper Nicki Minaj on Sunday made a surprise appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona that was memorializing late activist Charlie Kirk, and used her time on stage to praise President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “role models” for young men.
The rap star was interviewed at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention by Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, about her newly found support for Trump — someone she had condemned in the past — and about her actions denouncing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj mocked California Gov. Gavin Newsom, referring to him as New-scum, a nickname Trump gave him, and expressed admiration for the Republican president and Vance, who received the endorsement from Erika Kirk. She took over as leader of the powerful conservative youth organization. Newsom, a Democrat, has 2028 prospects.
“This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them. Our vice president, he makes me ... well, I love both of them,” Minaj said. “Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
Minaj said she was tired of being “pushed around,” and she said that speaking your mind with different ideas is controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.” Kirk thanked Minaj for being “courageous,” despite the backlash she is receiving from the entertainment industry for expressing support for Trump.
“I didn’t notice,” Minaj said. “We don’t even think about them.” Kirk then said “we don’t have time to. We’re too busy building, right?”
“We’re the cool kids,” Minaj said.
The Trinidadian-born rapper is best known for her hits “Super Freaky Girl,” “Anaconda” and “Starships.” She has been nominated for 12 Grammy awards over the course of her career.
In 2018, Minaj was one of several celebrities condemning Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that split more than 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border. Back then, she shared her own story of arriving to the country at 5 years old, describing herself as an “illegal immigrant.”
“This is so scary to me. Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?” she posted then on Instagram.
On Sunday on stage with Erika Kirk, Minaj said, “it’s OK to change your mind.”
Erika Kirk, left, and Nicki Minaj stand on stage during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Erika Kirk, left, and Nicki Minaj speak during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Nicki Minaj speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
