A father of two has been jailed for attacking police officers during a protest outside an asylum seeker hotel in Essex. Lee Gower, 43, a youth football coach from Epping, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for his role in the violent disorder outside The Bell Hotel in Epping last July.
Violent Clash at Asylum Hotel
The protest, which involved around 500 people, turned violent after Hadush Kebatu, a resident of the hotel, sexually assaulted two individuals. Gower was motivated by hostility towards asylum seekers and accused them of being paedophiles. He punched, kicked, and shoved police officers during the unrest.
Court Proceedings
At Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Alexander Mills stated that Gower joined a “mob” before fleeing to Gloucester to avoid arrest. The judge noted that Gower adopted a “fighting or boxing stance with his fists still clenched.” He added, “If your actions by the side of a football pitch are anything like your actions that day, that raises real concerns.”
Gower also threw a large barrier at a police van after the initially peaceful protest escalated. The disorder cost Essex Police £1.54 million and required a significant police response. A senior police officer remarked, “In my 20 years of policing, I have never witnessed this scale of disorder in Essex - and certainly not in a town like Epping.”
Defence and Co-defendant
Tony Wyatt, defending Gower, described him as a “well-liked” member of the community. Gower’s co-defendant, Phillip Curson, 53, from Upminster, was also found guilty of violent disorder and will be sentenced on August 14.
Other Sentencings
Three other individuals have been jailed for their involvement in the disorder: Stuart Williams received two years and four months, Martin Peagram two years and two months, and Dean Smith one year and 10 months.
Aftermath
The chaos erupted on July 17 as anti-immigration protesters clashed with counter-demonstrations. In an update on June 11, Epping Forest District Council confirmed that all residents staying at the Bell Hotel, which was used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers, have been removed from the property.
