Ethiopian national charged with sexual assault at asylum hotel

A man has been charged with sexual assault after an alleged incident involving a staff member at a Southampton hotel used to house asylum seekers.

Ethiopian national Melaku Gebresembet, 23, has been remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, police said.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it was investigating an alleged incident at the Highfield House Hotel in Highfield Lane on Friday.

A police spokesman said the suspect was an Ethiopian national, and added: "Officers investigating a sexual assault on a staff member at Highfield House Hotel have charged a man.

"The incident, which occurred on Friday, was reported on Monday morning.

"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."

Highfield House Hotel, in the Portswood area of the city, has been subject to repeated anti-immigration protests, along with counter demonstrations by Stand Up To Racism.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ethiopian national charged with sexual assault at asylum hotel