Epping asylum protester in court accused of violent disorder

A man accused of violent disorder outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers has appeared in court.

Police officers were injured during clashes near the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on Thursday.

They had bottles and eggs thrown at them while facing “sustained attacks for over four hours”, Southend Magistrates’ Court heard.

Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive in Loughton, Essex, denied violent disorder but entered no plea to another charge of criminally damaging a sign at the hotel by shaking it.

He was released on conditional bail, forbidding him from entering Epping and attending any protest in the UK.

District Judge Christopher Williams said the defendant would appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August.

Hundreds of people gathered to protest against asylum seekers being housed in the hotel. A smaller group of people held a pro-refugee demonstration at the same time.

Police said the gathering of those opposing the housing of asylum seekers was initially peaceful, but “selfish criminality and violence” began at 18:30 BST.

Vans and the hotel were damaged, and eight officers suffered cuts, grazes and hand injuries.

Essex Police said its investigation continued “at pace” and thanked people for sharing information.

Another protest staged on Sunday led to six people being arrested, with projectiles thrown towards police vans blocking the hotel entrance.

The demonstration followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody during a hearing on Thursday.

The allegations led to two Conservative MPs in Essex – Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart – calling for the hotel to be closed.