Two men in court after seafront protests

Rear view of a line of police officers standing in front of a crowd waving Union flags and banners. In the foreground is a dog handler and a dog
Image caption,

An estimated 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered in Weymouth on 4 August. There were also about 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators

  • Published

Two men have appeared in court after protests on a Dorset seafront.

Ian Thomas, 47, from Bournemouth, is charged with violent disorder, and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Ian Vetier, 36, from Weymouth, is also accused of violent disorder during the gathering on Weymouth Esplanade on 4 August.

Both men were remanded in custody by Poole magistrates and will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday.

About 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators and 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered at the seafront where police officers built a physical wall, using themselves and police vans to stop the groups meeting.

Two police officers were injured during the confrontation.

A 19-year-old man from Poole, who was arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated fear or provocation of violence, has been released on bail while inquiries continue, according to Dorset Police.

Following a separate gathering in Bournemouth, on 7 August, a woman was charged with assault and criminal damage.

Caroline Leneghan, 43, from Bournemouth, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Saturday, was released on bail, and is due to appear at the same court on 5 September.

There have been outbreaks of violence in towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland, including Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.

It followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, externalTwitter, external, or Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, external.

Related topics