An Ethiopian asylum seeker has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates' courts. The incidents occurred just days after Kebatu arrived in the UK on a small boat and while he was accommodated at The Bell Hotel as part of the UK's asylum seeker housing program.

The court heard that Kebatu approached the teenager and her friends in Epping town center on July 7 and 8, inviting them back to the hotel and making unwanted advances. According to testimony, he told the girls "come back to Africa, you would be a good wife" and stated he wanted "one baby from you and one baby from your friend." The following day, Kebatu attempted to kiss the 14-year-old and placed his hand on her thigh, with the victim reporting she repeatedly said "no, I'm 14" but alleged he responded that "age did not matter."

Kebatu also sexually assaulted a woman who had been assisting him with his CV, placing his hand on her thigh after what she described as him "taking advantage of my kindness." During sentencing, District Judge Christopher Williams criticized Kebatu's account and said he had sought to portray himself as a victim and "scapegoat." The judge noted that while Kebatu had attempted suicide while on remand, there was "no realistic prospect" of rehabilitation, making a suspended sentence inappropriate.

The case sparked significant protests outside The Bell Hotel and other asylum seeker accommodations across the country. In victim impact statements, the 14-year-old said she now feels vulnerable wearing skirts and checks over her shoulder when with friends, while the adult victim expressed frustration that Kebatu "did not even appear to know that what he's done was wrong." The court also heard that Kebatu now wishes to be deported, a position he held even before the trial according to his lawyer Molly Dyas.

Shed Seven, the Yorkshire Britpop legends, have announced a special one-off summer 2026 performance at Halifax's Piece Hall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark 1996 album 'A Maximum High'. The band will deliver a full album performance followed by a second set of greatest hits during the Live At The Piece Hall concert series on June 6. This Halifax date will represent Shed Seven's only headline show of summer 2026, making it a particularly significant event for both the band and their dedicated fanbase.

The anniversary concert will feature special guest performances from Seb Lowe and The Guest List, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Tickets for this exclusive event are scheduled to go on general sale at 10am on Friday, October 24, available through major ticketing platforms including Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and the Piece Hall's official website. The band's return to the Halifax venue follows their previous 2021 performance at the historic courtyard, establishing a continuing relationship with the West Yorkshire location.

'A Maximum High' represented a defining moment in Shed Seven's career, reaching the UK top 10 and selling more than 250,000 copies while spawning five Top 40 singles. Band frontman Rick Witter expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration, stating the band is 'looking forward to giving A Maximum High the birthday party it deserves' and noting particular excitement about 'revisiting some of the songs we haven't played for decades.' The event promises to attract fans from across the country for what organizers describe as a 'one night only' celebratory event.

Shed Seven joins a diverse lineup of artists scheduled for the 2026 Live At The Piece Hall series, including Embrace, Ethel Cain, David Gray, Billy Ocean, Opeth and The Ks. The band's upcoming schedule also includes appearances at the Isle Of Wight Festival in June, featuring headliners Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure, followed by a supporting performance for Richard Ashcroft at Englefield Estate in Berkshire as part of the Heritage Live series in July. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, emphasized the significance of hosting these 'Yorkshire heroes' back at the venue for this milestone celebration.