Essex migrant hotel charge: Man, 33, charged with violent disorder and criminal damage following clashes outside the Bell Hotel

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

A 33-year-old man has been charged with violent disorder and criminal damage following clashes outside an Essex migrant hotel.
Eight police officers were injured during what started as a peaceful protest at the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening.
Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said.
The force said today the CPS had authorised police to charge Silk with one count of violent disorder and one count of criminal damage.
He was remanded into custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
Essex Police said: 'Our investigations into the incidents which followed a peaceful protest in Epping on Thursday evening are continuing at pace and we thank the public for sharing vital information.'
Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of protests outside the hotel after 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
He denied the offences when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10.
Kebatu was charged with three counts of sexual assault, as well as one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence.
Up to 100 police officers battled with anti-migrant protesters on Thursday who had confronted a counter an anti-racism demonstration.
Police on patrol also arrested a man on suspicion of affray, following an assault reported close to The Bell Hotel on Sunday evening.
Dean Walters, 65, of Harlow, has been charged and released on bail to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on September 24, with stringent conditions until then.
A second person was arrested on Thursday night for failing to comply with orders given around dispersal and remained in custody.
At the protest residents stood side-by-side to call for the hotel to stop operating as refugee accommodation.
Police say eight officers were assaulted when crowds surrounded a small counter-demonstration.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'The events in Epping on Thursday were shocking and have no place in our neighbourhoods.
'We understand the concerns of the local community and support everyone's right to peaceful protest.
'We police without fear or favour, remaining impartial at all times and have legal responsibilities to ensure peaceful protest is facilitated.
'Our priority during the policing of this incident was the safety of everyone there, we used tried and tested public order tactics to achieve this.
'This included keeping opposing protestors apart to avoid violence. The early protest was peaceful, with people expressing their views.
'We will continue to support people to do this, but we will not tolerate anyone who comes with the intent to commit crime or who resort to crime because others present take a different view to them.
'Officers will act robustly and swiftly towards anyone intent on disrupting the local community's right to have their voices heard.'