Man in court over University Boat Race disruption

Trenton Oldfield faces a charge over the University Boat Race disruption

A man who has been accused of halting the University Boat Race by swimming in the River Thames has appeared in court.

Trenton Oldfield, 35, of Whitechapel, east London, appeared at Feltham Magistrates' Court charged with causing a public nuisance.

The race was stopped on 7 April when the Oxford and Cambridge boats were side by side near Chiswick Eyot.

A man was seen swimming in the path of the boats. Mr Oldfield is due at Isleworth Crown Court on 28 May.

He was released on bail with restrictions preventing him from entering the City of Westminster on 9 May for the state opening of Parliament and forbidding him from going into the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead prior to his next court appearance.

During this time, a number of events are planned in the borough to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

A further bail condition bans Mr Oldfield from using - or being within 100m (328ft) of - roads which form part of the Olympic torch route.

It was the first time in history that the event was disrupted by a swimmer.

The race was restarted nearly half an hour later. Cambridge went on to win after Oxford broke an oar.