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. 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. "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.

Source: Ethiopian News January 21, 2026 12:52 UTC