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'Violent mob' at asylum hotel protest turned Epping into 'scene of chaos', court told
The protests followed charges against an asylum seeker for sexual assault; two men admitted violent disorder and one pleaded guilty to damaging a police car.
- On Monday, Luke Fleming, 21, and Shaun Thompson, 38, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to violent disorder relating to a July 17 protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping.
- Demonstrations at The Bell Hotel began after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault, drawing 400 to 500 people to Epping before escalating into disorder.
- Police officers faced sustained attacks as prosecutor Sam Willis described the crowd as a "violent mob," with officers punched and kicked while managing 50 counter-protesters arriving around 5:30pm.
- Judge Alexander Mills released Fleming and Thompson on bail pending sentencing, while defendants Lee Gower and Phillip Curson deny violent disorder charges in ongoing proceedings at the same court.
- Policing preparations and public safety strategies in Epping remain critical priorities following the violent unrest, which caused significant property damage and sparked community tensions across Essex.
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'Violent mob' at asylum hotel protest turned Epping into 'scene of chaos', court told
Lee Gower, 43, and Phillip Curson, 53, deny committing violent disorder during protests outside The Bell Hotel, Essex, last year after asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu was charged with sexual assault.
·United Kingdom
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‘Violent mob’ at Epping asylum hotel protest attacked police, court hears
Lee Gower, 43, and Phillip Curson, 53, deny committing violent disorder during demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Essex on July 17. A “violent mob” at an asylum hotel protest attacked police officers and turned Epping into “a scene of disorder and chaos”, a court has heard. Lee Gower, 43, and Phillip Curson, 53, of Upminster, deny committing violent disorder during demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Essex on July 17 last year. Gower,…
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Total News Sources4
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 25%
C 75%
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