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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Anthony France

Boy, 14, among those charged over disorder outside Downing Street

Twelve more people including a 14-year-old boy have been charged over large-scale disorder in Whitehall, bringing the total to 38.

Trouble flared at a far-right protest staged under the title of Enough is Enough on Wednesday July 31.

Demonstrators were seen launching beer cans and glass bottles at a line of police in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares onto the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

The angry scenes also included loud chants of “we want our country back” and “Oh Tommy Robinson”, referring to the English Defence League founder, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

The Metropolitan Police made more than 120 arrests and Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley joined officers on dawn raids last week.

The 14-year-old youth is accused of a public order offence and will appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on August 23.

Commander Lou Puddefoot said: “The officers on duty in Whitehall that evening were operating in really challenging circumstances and faced unacceptable aggression and abuse.

“As is often the case with large scale public order incidents such as this, so much of the work takes place in the days and weeks that follow.

“I want to thank the officers who have spent the past two weeks reviewing many hours of CCTV, phone and bodycam footage to build the cases that are being put before the courts.

Police arrested a further suspects in relation to the disorder in Whitehall on July 31 (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media)

“While we welcome the restoration of calm in London and across the country, we are not being complacent. We continue to stand ready to respond to any outbreak of disorder and to deal decisively with any offences.”

Among those sentenced this week is David Spring, 61, of Longfellow Road, Sutton who received 18 months’ imprisonment for being part of a group that broke out of an enclosed space and directed shouts at officers.

Inner London Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of Spring chanting, “You’re not English any more”.

He issued an apology through his barrister and was “embarrassed by his behaviour”. He claimed that he became caught up in the violent scenes with much younger men.

Chris Jones, 51, of Portnoi Close, Romford was fined £350 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £140 for public order.

Ryan Atkin, 41, of Jarvis Brook, Tunbridge Wells, received a 12-month community order including 60 hours of unpaid work for the same offence and obstructing an officer.

Awaiting their fate are: Russ Cooke, 66, of Myddelton Street, Islington, who admitted three racially aggravated public order offences and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday.

Callum Flynn, 29, of Belgravia Gardens, Bromley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Whitehall and has been held in prison ahead of appearing at Inner London Crown Court on August 27.

Steven Essex, 49, of Merebank Lane, Wallington, and Philip Fahie, 41, are due at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Paul Stevenson, 46, of Pembury Avenue, Kingston Upon Thames has been charged with breaching conditions imposed under Section 14 of the Public Order Act. He is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Martin Powers, 28, of Roman Road, Ingatestone, faces a count of violent disorder and will next appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 6.

Georgie Jones, 28, of Rectory Road, Basildon, was remanded in custody to appear at the same court with Jay Keeling, 27, of Hyland Way, Hornchurch, and Jack Wood, 29, of Lakeside, Rainham.

Jason Guiver, 51, of Dunmow Road, Ongar, denied a charge of affray at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was remanded in custody to appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 9.

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