Eight in court over alleged disorder in park

The men, a woman and a teenage boy were charged after police were called to Eden Lane Park

Eight people have appeared in court over alleged disorder in a park which led to two defendants being charged with racial offences.

Durham Police said officers were called to Eden Lane Park, Peterlee, on Saturday afternoon and made arrests in connection with affray.

An officer allegedly saw one of the men accused make a "Nazi gesture" and shout "white power", the court heard.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, six men were remanded in custody and a woman and youth were granted bail. All defendants, aged between 16 and 51, will appear in court later this month.

Nicholas Churchman, 36, of Edenhill Road, Peterlee, denied a racially aggravated public order offence.

Prosecutor John Garside said it had occurred because there was group of people, which the Crown said were black, in the park.

The case against Lewis Crow, 30, of Yoden Road, Peterlee, was adjourned while the prosecution sought the Attorney General's permission to allow a charge of stirring up racial hatred.

Crow was alleged to have posted on Facebook about the group using the park. He denied the offence.

Lee Hall, 43, from Gilesgate, Durham, denied affray, said to have occurred when he was in his car and an officer allegedly saw him make a "Nazi gesture" and shout "white power", Mr Garside said.

Melvyn Foley, 51, of Ashton Rise, Peterlee, denied affray, relating to an allegation he threw missiles at people while wearing a balaclava.

Adele Horner, 36, of Edenhill Road, Peterlee, also denied affray, said to have occurred during an altercation with police.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified due to his age, has been charged with affray.

District Judge Marie Mallon ruled that his case should be dealt with at a youth court later this month.

Leighton Lee, 23, of Conyers Crescent, Horden, denied affray, relating to an allegation that he threw eggs and stones towards families in the park, and said to police that officers were helping them "take over the country".

An eighth defendant Curtis Russell, 23, of Basingstoke Road, Peterlee, also denied affray.

The charge related to an allegation that he was trying to stir up the crowd and encourage violence, the prosecution said.