'Aggressive mob fought PCs' in anti-asylum protest

Two men acting in an "aggressive mob" attacked police officers during a hostile anti-asylum hotel protest, a court heard.

Phillip Curson, 53, and Lee Gower, 43, allegedly clashed with officers trying to maintain order outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 17 July.

The town was turned "into a scene of disorder and chaos" when a peaceful demonstration descended into violence, Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

Curson, from Upminster, east London, and Gower, of Epping High Street, have denied violent disorder.

Between 400 and 500 anti-asylum protesters and 50 counter-demonstrators were outside the hotel that night, prosecutor Sam Willis said.

It followed the arrest of asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, which he was later jailed for.

"Although the protest began peacefully, it became violent," Willis told the jury.

"These defendants are alleged to have been part of an aggressive mob that resorted to repeated acts of violence and vandalism."

Violence erupted not long after the arrival of counter-demonstrators at about 17:30 BST, the court heard.

Willis continued: "From that point until around 10pm, what had been a peaceful protest descended into serious public disorder in the streets of Epping."

He said police officers were subjected to "sustained attacks", being grabbed, pushed, punched and kicked, also having their vans damaged while they tried to separate the groups.

Jurors were shown footage from a police body-worn camera, which allegedly showed Gower and Curson pushing and grappling with officers.

"Rather than just turn around or wait beyond the police cordon, they appear intent on breaking through it," Willis said.

In another video played to the jury, a member of the public is heard shouting: "I have never seen anything like it... This is going absolutely insane."

Further footage showed Curson kicking at a police officer who had their back turned and insulting others, Willis alleged.

Gower was also accused of approaching counter-protesters "with his arms raised and fists clenched".

Sitting in the dock, both defendants shook their heads at times as some of the footage was played.

Gower was arrested on 24 July, and Curson, of Brookmans Park Drive, Upminster, handed himself in to police on 28 July.

Willis said both defendants were likely to deny using unlawful violence and claim they were acting in self-defence.

Gower has also denied assaulting an emergency worker.

The trial continues.

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