Eritrean asylum seeker attacks 3 police officers in migrant hotel rampage

An asylum seeker from Eritrea is reportedly expected to be deported after admitting to assaulting three police officers. Ismail Ahmedsalih, who also pleaded guilty to a charge of affray, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court, it has been reported.

The 34-year-old assaulted three constables at the Ibis Hotel in Gloucester, which was being used to house migrants, on August 27 this year. Police had attended the site because of a serious disturbance involving Ahmedsalih, reports say. None of the officers required hospital treatment.

According to the Daily Mail, Ahmedsalih had kicked off in the cells of the court while he waited to appear at a hearing prior to his sentencing.

His defence barrister at the time reportedly told the court she would no longer represent the asylum seeker after he swore at her and acted in a threatening manner.

It is said this occurred while she was attempting to speak to him about his case.

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said assaults on their officers "will not be tolerated".

A spokesperson for the force said: "No-one should turn up to work and be subjected to physical abuse throughout the course of doing their duties.

"Police officers regularly put themselves in harm's way in order to protect the public, and being abused shouldn't be seen as just part of the job. Assaults on our officers will not be tolerated, and we will pursue prosecutions for offenders."

A Home Office spokesman told the Mail that it "will always do everything in our power" to deport foreign nationals who commit serious crimes in the UK.