An unexpected clash unfolded when a hotel migrant’s resistance to leaving a bus resulted in a shocking encounter with the police.
Police officer wearing a yellow vest (Image: Getty Images)
An illegal migrant who had fallen asleep on a bus began punching and spitting at a police officer who was called to wake him up. Tesfya Selmone, 27, was roused at Heathrow Central Bus station in west London on September 12 but desperately tried to stay on board when an officer arrived to ask him to disembark. A court heard how when police tried to remove the Eritrean national from his seat he spat at PC Awais Alyas before launching a series of blows.
Selmone was staying at the four-star taxpayer-funded Novotol Hotel by Heathrow Airport at the time, Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court heard. Ravinder Chodha, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was found sleeping on the front seat of the top deck by officers.
London, UK – June 18 2025: The main entrance to Heathrow’s Central Bus Station, a key transport hub (Image: Getty Images)
“Officers then escorted the defendant from the bus but he resisted, holding the handles and railings.
“After a short while the defendant turned towards PC Alyas and spat at him, also hitting him on his hand and left leg.”
Wearing a blue jacket with grey trousers and Nike trainers, Selmone spoke only to confirm his personal details as he faced the court. Unable to speak English he was aided by an Amharic interpreter.
Selmone, who arrived illegally in the UK on a small boat, admitted assault by beating of an emergency worker.
PC Alyas said in a victim personal statement: “I was shocked. I instinctively grabbed his head and pushed it down.
Red double-decker buses and National Express coaches at Heathrow’s busy c (Image: Getty Images)
“I felt violated. Spitting in particular is a foul and disgusting offence.”
Sentence was adjourned to December 8 at the same court after magistrates were told that Selmone had failed to attend his probation appointment after being given bail.
But he was granted further conditional bail by Magistrate Rangeet Kaur who told him he must continue to live and sleep at his migrant hotel until the sentencing court date.
