An asylum seeker has denied trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl and told a court: "I'm not a wild animal."

On day two of his trial, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was asked if he tried to kiss the girl and gave the reply through an interpreter, adding: "I can't do these kind of things. These are children, new generation."

The court heard the 38-year-old told the girl he wanted her to go back to the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where he was staying.

Image: Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, left, in a court sketch. Pic: Elizabeth Cook/PA

Kebatu is accused of attempting to kiss the teenager , putting his hand on her thigh and brushing her hair last month.

He denies two counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, an

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