Keith Silk, 34, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, has been jailed for two years and 11 months for his part in the violent disorder outside the Bell Hotel in Epping last summer. He was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, 10 November, after being convicted of violent disorder and criminal damage at a trial in June.

Silk is the eleventh man to be jailed in connection with the protest on 17 July 2025, which began peacefully before turning violent outside the hotel on Epping High Road. The 11 men sentenced so far have received immediate custodial terms totalling more than 23 years.

What Silk did at the protest

Evidence from police body-worn camera footage, drone recordings and social media videos showed Silk carrying eggs and beer at the protest. He was seen throwing beer at a police carrier, damaging a sign outside the Bell Hotel and shouting at officers.

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, the Epping Forest and Brentwood district commander, said the sentences were a reminder of the damage the disorder caused. “Each of these sentences is a reminder of the impact of this disorder – the community in Epping was left scared and anxious, daily life was disrupted and businesses felt the effect of closing early, with the town’s reputation affected,” he said.

“Whilst many people who wanted their voices to be heard on an important issue did that safely, a number chose to behave well beyond that, and these convictions and sentences show that behaviour is and was entirely unacceptable.”

Eleven jailed, eleven more sentenced

Alongside the 11 men jailed over the 17 July protest, a further 11 people have been convicted and sentenced for related offences during the Epping protests. Those convicted range in age from 18 to their 50s and faced charges including criminal damage, assaulting emergency workers, racially aggravated public order offences and failing to comply with protest conditions or remove face coverings. Their sentences included community orders, fines and suspended sentences.

Why the Bell Hotel was targeted

The Bell Hotel became the focus of protests after one of its residents, Hadush Kebatu, sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. Multiple demonstrations were held over the summer of 2025, at one point spilling into the town centre.

Kebatu was found guilty of five offences, including sexual assault, and jailed. He was later mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford before being detained and deported to Ethiopia.

Police have said the investigation into the disorder continues, and anyone with information about the Epping protests can contact Essex Police. Read the full court report in the Clacton and Frinton Gazette and the Hits Radio Essex report.