Canary Wharf hotel migrant arrested after ‘entering blind woman's flat'
The man, who has not been named, was accused of walking into the flat near the four-star Britannia Hotel on Wednesday through an open door.
Police initially took no action despite members of the public detaining him.
But the man, believed to be in his early 20s, has now been arrested on suspicion of common assault.
The Metropolitan Police has also charged a woman living at the house which the man entered with a series of offences.
Channay Augustus, 22, is accused of assaulting a security guard at the Britannia Hotel.
She has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, affray, assault on an emergency worker and possession of cannabis.
Augustus will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Friday morning.
The family of the blind woman living at the flat have previously said she was left fearing for her life after the incident.
They said the man entered the house on Wednesday after being followed by a group of men who had told him to 'go back to the hotel'.
Asylum seekers have been moved into the Britannia Hotel this month after the Home Office earmarked it for use as migrant accommodation.
The hotel has been the site of regular anti-immigration protests and pro-migrant counter-demonstrations in recent weeks.
In a statement, the Met said: 'On Wednesday night we released an initial statement following an incident where a man allegedly entered a woman's flat. He was detained by members of the public nearby.
'Our investigation continued on Thursday, with officers carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries and speaking to witnesses.
'As a result of this, in the early hours of this morning – Friday, 15 August – we arrested a man in the Hackney area on suspicion of common assault. He is believed to be in his early 20s.
'We can confirm that this is the man who allegedly entered the flat. He is now in police custody.
'A 22-year-old woman who was arrested on Wednesday evening has since been charged with a number of offences. We can confirm that she is an occupant of the flat that was entered.'
The force added: 'The alleged victim of the common assault is a security guard at the hotel, not the man who allegedly entered her flat.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Britain's rights watchdog warns against heavy-handed policing amid Gaza demos
Britain's human rights watchdog has warned against 'heavy-handed policing' which it said risks a 'chilling effect' on protest rights amid recent demonstrations about the war in Gaza. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to remind them that the 'right to protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy'. The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, raised concerns about 'reports of police engagement with individuals participating in forms of protest that are not linked to any proscribed organisation'. The commission referenced a report by the Guardian newspaper about a woman said to have been threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide'. The woman was reportedly told by police that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, in July expressed views supportive of Palestine Action, an organisation which has been banned by the Government. The woman said neither of her signs mentioned Palestine Action and that she had told police she did not support any proscribed organisations. Baroness Falkner said any interference with protest rights 'must be lawful and assessed case-by-case'. She added: 'Heavy-handed policing or blanket approaches risk creating a chilling effect, deterring citizens from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly through fear of possible consequences. 'This concern extends beyond those directly affected by police engagement to the broader health of our democracy, because the perception that peaceful protest may attract disproportionate police attention undermines confidence in our human rights protections.' The EHRC said Government and police authorities must 'ensure that all officers receive clear and consistent guidance on their human rights obligations' when it comes to protests. 'This guidance should ensure that the appropriate balance is maintained between public safety and the protection of essential human rights,' Baroness Falkner added. Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. More than 500 people were arrested last weekend on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed group, as demonstrations took place in central London. Downing Street has described Palestine Action as 'violent' and said it has committed 'significant injury' as well as criminal damage, adding that evidence and security assessments shared in closed court supported its proscription. Palestine Action said Downing Street's accusations were 'false and defamatory' and 'disproven by the Government's own intelligence assessment'.
BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
Car thief drove at 70mph on wrong side of Sheffield road
A car thief who drove a stolen vehicle at speeds of more than 70mph the wrong way down a 30mph road has been Enogunmwmgie, 23, was seen by officers driving a white VW Polo against the flow of traffic at Park Square roundabout in Sheffield in the early hours of 19 an attempt to escape, Enogunmwmgie, of Farish Place in Sheffield, drove at officers, before fleeing on foot and being stopped by a police an earlier hearing he pleaded guilty to burglary, dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance and possession of a Class B drug. He was jailed for two years and eight months at Sheffield Crown Court on 6 August. Enogunmwmgie stole the Polo from a house driveway in the Darnall area of Sheffield, which he was later spotted driving by who pursued him said he failed to stop and took "great risks" in an attempt to avoid arrest, including "travelling more than 70mph in a 30mph zone and driving contraflow on the Sheffield Parkway head on at one of our officers".Following his arrest he was found to be in possession of a screwdriver and a key for the house he had targeted, along with an amount of Louise Atha said: "Enogunmwmgie's reckless criminality put himself, other road users, and police officers in danger."He showed absolutely no regard for the safety of others in his desperation to avoid arrest."PC Atha added: "I'm pleased Enogunmwmgie has been given an immediate custodial sentence and hope this result serves as a reminder to those intent on committing crime in South Yorkshire that you will be caught and made to answer for your offending." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
The Guardian
14 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Suspended Labour councillor found not guilty of encouraging violent disorder
A suspended Labour councillor who called for far-right activists' throats to be cut at an anti-racism rally has been found not guilty of encouraging violent disorder. Ricky Jones, 58, used the phrase 'disgusting Nazi fascists' in a speech about last summer's far right protests after the Southport murders, his trial at Snaresbrook crown court heard. A video showing Jones addressing a counter demonstration in Walthamstow in east London on 7 August last year went viral on social media after the protest. The councillor, who was suspended from Labour party after the incident, was filmed saying: 'They are disgusting Nazi fascists. We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.' He also drew his finger across his throat as he spoke to the crowd. After just over 30 minutes of deliberation on Friday, jurors found Jones not guilty of encouraging violent disorder. Jones, who at the time was also employed as a full-time official for the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) union, was arrested on 8 August last year and interviewed by police. Ben Holt, prosecuting, previously told the court Jones used 'inflammatory, rabble-rousing language in the throng of a crowd described as a tinderbox'. He told jurors Jones's speech was amplified through a microphone and speakers and took place 'in a setting where violence could readily have been anticipated'. Giving evidence, Jones said his comment did not refer to far-right protesters involved in the riots at the time, but to those who had reportedly left National Front stickers on a train with razor blades hidden behind them. Before he made the comment, jurors were shown video where he said to crowds: 'You've got women and children using these trains during the summer holidays. They don't give a shit about who they hurt.' He told the court he was 'appalled' by political violence, adding: 'I've always believed the best way to make people realise who you are and what you are is to do it peacefully.' Jones had told the court that the riots had made him feel upset and angry and he felt it was his duty to attend counter-protests, despite being warned to stay away from such demonstrations by Labour. Giving evidence in his defence, Jones's friend Kevin Courtney, a retired teacher and former joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), told the court his language was out of character. 'I had not heard him say those words or anything in any way similar to that,' Courtney told jurors.
