Police took TEN WEEKS to arrest violent fugitive asylum seeker who was moved 138 miles away to another hotel after he punched a woman unconscious outside a nightclub

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 12:01, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 12:07, 13 July 2026 The mother of a young woman who was knocked unconscious by an asylum seeker has blasted police as 'absolutely ridiculous' after he evaded arrest for 10 weeks despite being wanted on three warrants. Eritrean national Abdoela Berhan, 35, punched Cleo Lake, then 20, in the face outside a Bournemouth nightclub after she and her friends rejected his advances. He was found guilty of assaulting Miss Lake just a week after being convicted of attacking a Subway worker in a separate violent incident caught on CCTV.  Berhan was believed to be on the run after failing to attend three court hearings in two weeks. But a court has now heard he was only arrested after turning up at a courthouse that was closed for building work and unwittingly handing himself in. Southampton Magistrates' Court heard Berhan had been moved from Bournemouth to another asylum hotel in Warwick, 138 miles away, in January. After the first warrant was issued on April 23, Dorset Police visited the Britannia Hotel in Bournemouth, but were told Berhan no longer lived there.  Despite liaising with other relevant agencies and police forces, officers failed to trace Berhan for more than 10 weeks. Berhan was finally arrested on July 2 after travelling from Warwick to Poole Magistrates' Court to answer bail, only to find the building closed. Eritrean national Abdoela Berhan, 35, evaded police for 10 weeks despite being wanted on three arrest warrants. He was finally arrested on July 2 after visiting a police station Cleo Lake was 20 when she was knocked out with a single punch outside a Bournemouth nightclub on November 30, 2024 after she rejected Berhan's advances Miss Lake sustained a black eye and a broken nose from the attack (pictured) He then went to a police station, gave officers his name and was arrested when checks revealed three outstanding warrants. Cleo's mother, Helen O'Brien, said: 'I find it absolutely ridiculous that the police would know where he is but the courts don't and that information isn't being filtered through to the relevant people. 'It seems like they do not care that people like him are committing these offences, that there's warrants for his arrest, that he beat Cleo up and left her for dead. 'I'm happy he's been caught and Cleo can hopefully move on, but I'm so disappointed in our police forces. It's crazy the amount of time it has taken. How many other offences could he have committed since then?' She added: 'The police need to have a better awareness of where these people are and keep better track of them.' Berhan has admitted a string of offences committed while living in Bournemouth. He spat at and kicked Subway worker Sahjan Chowdhury after he was asked to leave, only to be caught hours later when he returned to the same branch as a Just Eat delivery driver on November 30, 2024.  A week later, he was captured on CCTV knocking Miss Lake unconscious outside Cameo nightclub, leaving her with a broken nose and black eye.  A court previously heard Berhan began swearing and getting into Miss Lake's personal space, prompting her to push him away. He responded by punching her in the face, knocking her unconscious with a single blow (pictured, CCTV of the incident) Berhan (pictured) has admitted a string of offences committed while living in Bournemouth A court previously heard that Berhan approached Miss Lake and two friends after they left the nightclub and stopped to get something to eat. He sat beside the group, making them feel uncomfortable, and tried to put his arm around one of the women before Miss Lake told him to 'f*** off'. Berhan then began swearing and getting into Miss Lake's personal space, prompting her to push him away. He responded by punching her in the face, knocking her unconscious with a single blow before fleeing and leaving her lying on the ground. He later claimed he acted in self-defence. In February this year, Berhan was arrested after refusing to comply with a police dispersal order outside a Bournemouth nightclub. Officers used Google Translate to explain the notice, but he allegedly told them he 'didn't care' and tore it up. He was also arrested for criminal damage after spitting on the floor of a police van on the way to the station.  Three days later, he smashed a window in his room at the Britannia Hotel.  The court heard Berhan had been playing loud music and was confronted about it shortly before a staff member heard a loud smash.   Although he admitted criminal damage, he claimed he had been upset, fallen asleep and pushed the window, causing it to crack, after waking from a nightmare. Berhan will be sentenced later this month for the assault on Miss Lake, criminal damage, assaults and three counts of failing to surrender to court bail. District Judge Orla Austin told the court he was 'almost certainly' facing prison, but ordered probation reports before sentencing. The Britannia Hotel, one of three hotels housing asylum seekers in Bournemouth, has been dubbed Britain's 'most dangerous asylum hotel' Defending, Guy Gosheron said Berhan had lived in Warwick since January and had travelled back to Dorset believing he was due to answer bail on July 2. He said: 'I don't know why it is he didn't appear on the days in question - he did have a number of different dates which always has the potential for confusion.' Berhan was remanded in custody. A Dorset Police spokesman said officers carried out arrest enquiries after the first warrant was issued and liaised with partner agencies and other force areas after learning he was no longer living at his last known address. The Home Office has been approached for comment. The Britannia Hotel, one of three hotels housing asylum seekers in the town, has been dubbed Britain's 'most dangerous asylum hotel' after a string of residents were convicted of violent offences in recent months. In recent months, it has been the scene of angry protests as concerned residents took to the streets over its continued use by the Home Office to house an estimated 100 asylum seekers, alongside two other nearby hotels. Last summer, Britannia Hotel was surrounded by protesters brandishing signs stating 'Illegal criminals out' and 'Stop the boats'. Figures released last August showed 91 charges had been brought against people staying at the Britannia and Roundhouse hotels, with a further 25 brought against residents of the Chine Hotel - a total of 116 charges involving 51 asylum seekers. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.