Man Exposes Himself After Assaulting Staff at Asylum Seeker Hotel
A man exposed himself after assaulting two members of staff at a hotel housing asylum seekers, a court has heard. Sukirthan Thangrasha, a 38-year-old from Sri Lanka, is currently on trial at Portsmouth Crown Court for one count of indecent exposure following the incident at Highfield House Hotel in Southampton on August 15, 2025.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The jury was informed that Thangrasha, who was assisted by a Tamil interpreter in court, had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of assault against two hotel employees. Prosecuting barrister Jack Furness outlined the events, stating that Thangrasha went to the hotel reception in an angry state because his phone was not functioning properly.
According to the prosecution, Thangrasha became verbally abusive and demanded that staff fix his phone, eventually throwing the device at the reception desk. He reportedly made derogatory comments, saying words to the effect of, "I am from Sri Lanka, you small men are from India and Pakistan, you should respect me."
Staff members attempted to calm the defendant down, but the situation escalated. Furness described how Thangrasha approached a plant pot, tried to pull the plant out, and then proceeded to pull down his trousers. Initially, he left his underwear on and lifted his top to expose his torso, walking around in that state until staff told him to stop, at which point he pulled his trousers back up.
Further Exposure and Staff Reactions
Shortly afterward, Thangrasha allegedly pulled his trousers down again, this time along with his underpants, exposing his genitals to multiple people present. One staff member reported feeling "scared" that the defendant would attack him, and Thangrasha has admitted to assaults on this employee and another worker.
CCTV footage captured the incident, and while Thangrasha does not deny exposing himself, he has denied intending to cause alarm or distress. The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected to examine the defendant's state of mind and the broader context of the altercation.
This case highlights the challenges faced by staff at accommodation facilities for asylum seekers, where tensions can sometimes lead to volatile situations. The incident has drawn attention to the need for proper security measures and support for both residents and employees in such settings.
