An Afghan migrant living in a London hotel accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a West End bar wept in court as he complained that his English is ‘limited’.
Bashir Hotak, 23, was staying in a hotel in east London at the time of the alleged sex attack in Simmons Bar, Leicester Square, on June 29.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with sexual assault and assault by beating.
He was assisted by a Persian interpreter in the Dari dialect and began to cry when asked to enter pleas.
After a break, Hotak’s solicitor said he could no longer represent him.
When told he needed to find new representation Hotak said: ‘How? I’m not well, I have very limited English, I’m being seen by doctors and I’m on a lot of medication.’
Amanda Barron, chairing a bench of three magistrates, told him: ‘You Google law firms near where you live, it’s not difficult.
‘You’ve had the opportunity of a lawyer today and he can no longer act for you.’
Bashir Hotak, 23, was living in the Ibis Styles Seven Kings Hotel in Cameron Road, Ilford, at the time of the alleged sex attack in Simmons Bar, Leicester Square, on June 29
She adjourned the hearing until November 10 and bailed Hotak on condition he does not contact the alleged victim or go to Simmons Bar in Leicester Square.
Ms Barron said: ‘Your lawyer is no longer acting for you, I’m going to give three weeks in order to be back at court which gives you time to find a new lawyer.
‘It’s up to you, it’s your life, your responsibility.
‘If you break either of those conditions you will be arrested by police and brought to court in custody and the bail position would be reviewed.’
Hotak, of east London, is charged with sexual assault on a female and assault by beating. He did not enter pleas during today’s hearing.
