Man told to expect jail over asylum hotel disorder

A man has been warned he will likely be jailed for causing violent disorder during a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Hundreds of people have demonstrated outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, in recent months, protesting against it being used to house asylum seekers.

Dean Smith, 51, of Epping, pleaded guilty to causing violent disorder at Chelmsford Crown Court on 17 July.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing on 6 October.

Separately, other defendants denied committing offences on 17 July.

The recent protests followed the arrest of a resident at the hotel, 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.

Twenty-eight people have since been arrested in relation to disorder at the hotel, and 16 of them have been charged.

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