Woman denies assault outside asylum seeker hotel

The Bell Hotel was the focal point of intense protests and counter-protests over the summer

A woman has denied assault and criminal damage during a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Joanne Winter was part of a counter-demonstration outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 27 July, Chelmsford Magistrates' Court was told.

The 28-year-old, of Deptford Church Street in Deptford, south-east London, is accused of assaulting a man and damaging his GoPro microphone worth £150.

She was granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial at the same court on 28 September 2026.