Man denies assaulting police officer at protest

Lewis Siverns denies beating a police officer during protests in September

A man has denied assaulting a police officer during disorder at protests in London.

Lewis Siverns, 33, of Farmer Way, Tipton, West Midlands, pleaded not guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, Pc Moroni Cesario, by beating in Westminster borough on 13 September.

Between 110,000 and 150,000 people turned out for activist Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rally on that day, with about 5,000 involved in an anti-racism counter-demonstration.

There had been several incidents of violent disorder, the majority of which were linked to the Unite the Kingdom event, police said. Mr Siverns appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

He was given bail until his trial on 31 March at City of London Magistrates' Court.

Seven other people are facing charges including assault and public order offences.