Man accused of racially abusing officer at protest

A man has been charged with racially abusing a police officer during a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

The alleged abuse took place at the Bell Hotel in Epping in Essex on Sunday.

A 35-year-old man from Guildford appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he denied racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He admitted a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in relation to a previous protest on 28 December.

He is due to go on trial next year for the racial abuse charge.

His bail conditions prevent him from entering the district of Epping and publishing anything about the Bell Hotel on YouTube.

A 49-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He has been released on bail until 29 April.

Police said there had been concerns from residents about noise and anti-social behaviour related to the protest and they were talking to demonstrators about the use of flares, fireworks and smoke grenades.

Anyone found to have used these items could be given a Community Protection Warning and arrested if the warning was breached, the force added.

Ch Insp Terry Fisher said: "While it is important that peaceful protest activity is facilitated, it is equally important that people living nearby are affected as little as possible.

"Anyone planning to attend a demonstration is asked not to bring these items. They are impacting the Epping community and present a risk of injury."

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