Man denies sexual assault on asylum hotel worker

An asylum seeker has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a staff member at his hotel.

Melaku Gebresembet, 23, is accused of groping a woman at Highfield House Hotel in Southampton on Friday.

The Ethiopian national, who was born in Eritrea, has been waiting for five years for his asylum claim to be processed, Southampton magistrates were told.

They initially decided to release him on bail to appear at Southampton Crown Court, but remanded him in custody following a prosecution appeal.

The court heard the defendant was placed by the Home Office at the hotel, which has been the subject of repeated anti-immigration protests.

He is accused of approaching the woman and grabbing her, but has entered a not guilty plea.

Khalid Missouri, defending, said: "He was born in Eritrea. It is a country whose indigenous population can claim asylum.

"Multiple human rights violations occurred in Eritrea and for some reason it's taken five years, he is still waiting for a decision."

The case was adjourned for a bail hearing at Southampton Crown Court and a trial in April 2027.