An Ethiopian asylum seeker has been charged with sexually assaulting a member of staff at a hotel housing migrants.
Melaku Gebresembet, 23, is accused of molesting a worker at Highfield House Hotel in Southampton, which has been the focus of regular anti-immigration protests.
Gebresembet is understood to have been staying at the hotel on Highfield Lane at the time of the alleged assault, alongside over 100 other asylum seekers.
Protestors, mainly from the group Southampton Patriots, have held regular rallies outside the hotel over the past few months, demonstrating against its use for housing migrants.
A restaurant next door claimed ‘ongoing issues’ with the hotel forced it to close down after 20 years of business earlier this month.
Gebresembet was remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court this morning.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘Officers investigating a sexual assault on a staff member at Highfield House Hotel have charged a man.
‘The incident, which occurred on Friday (January 16), was reported on Monday morning (January 19).
Highfield House Hotel in Southampton, where a resident asylum seeker is accused of molesting a member of staff
Anti-migrant protests have been a regular fixture outside the hotel in recent months
‘Following that report, officers immediately attended the hotel to take statements and identify and arrest the alleged suspect.
‘We have now charged Melaku Gebresembet, 23, of Highfield Lane, Southampton, with sexual assault.
‘He is an Ethiopian national, and has been remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court this morning (January 21).’
The hotel has been at the centre of weekly anti-immigration protests in recent months, which are regularly met with counter-demonstrations from anti-racism groups.
Ceno Bar and Restaurant, which shares a building with Highfield House Hotel, closed down at the beginning of this month.
Its managers said migrants had damaged the business and made it almost ‘impossible to operate’.
They claimed the car park was locked for months and that the hotel owners repeatedly ignored their pleas for help.
Ceno Restaurant was part of the Highfield House Hotel building in Southampton
UKIP party leader Nick Tenconi at an anti-migrant protest outside the hotel in October
A spokesperson for the eatery, which specialises in British food, said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce that Ceno Restaurant closed its doors on January 1, 2026.
‘Despite every effort to continue trading, it has become frustratingly impossible to operate due to ongoing issues connected with the Highfield Hotel in which we are located, which has now become home to over 100 illegal immigrants.
‘The hotel owners have ignored our communication for help to assist with ongoing damage caused by the hotel residents and have locked the car park for many months, meaning our customers have been unable to park and access the restaurant.’
Hampshire Constabulary has been holding quarterly meetings with the community where locals can raise any concerns.
Superintendent Alex Charge said earlier this month: ‘I know these protests can disrupt local residents’ lives, and they do come with a range of emotions, but we are committed to ensuring these can be facilitated safely – for those attending and the wider public – and that this disruption can be kept to the minimum possible for the community.’
