Latest news with #KeithSilk
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Epping asylum protester in court accused of violent disorder
A man accused of violent disorder outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers has appeared in officers were injured during clashes near the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on had bottles and eggs thrown at them while facing "sustained attacks for over four hours", Southend Magistrates' Court Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive in Loughton, Essex, denied violent disorder but entered no plea to another charge of criminally damaging a sign at the hotel by shaking it. He was released on conditional bail, forbidding him from entering Epping and attending any protest in the Judge Christopher Williams said the defendant would appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August. Hundreds of people gathered to protest against asylum seekers being housed in the hotel. A smaller group of people held a pro-refugee demonstration at the same said the gathering of those opposing the housing of asylum seekers was initially peaceful, but "selfish criminality and violence" began at 18:30 and the hotel were damaged, and eight officers suffered cuts, grazes and hand Police said its investigation continued "at pace" and thanked people for sharing protest staged on Sunday led to six people being arrested, with projectiles thrown towards police vans blocking the hotel demonstration followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody during a hearing on allegations led to two Conservative MPs in Essex - Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart - calling for the hotel to be closed. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Man denies violent disorder following protest outside Essex hotel
A man has appeared before a court and denied a charge of violent disorder following a protest outside a hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers. Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, appeared before Southend Magistrates' Court on Monday and entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of violent disorder, said to have happened on July 17. The 33-year-old is also charged with criminal damage, having allegedly shaken a sign belonging to the hotel, but he was not asked to enter a plea to this. District judge Christopher Williams bailed Silk, with conditions, until an appearance before Chelmsford Crown Court on August 18. The judge said Silk must not visit Epping, must not attend any protest or demonstration in the UK and would have a curfew monitored by an electronic tag to be at his home address from 7pm to 7am daily. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The latest protest, on Sunday, saw more than 100 demonstrators assemble outside the Bell Hotel in Epping with some chanting 'save our kids'. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said.
North Wales Chronicle
6 hours ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Six arrested after ‘thuggery' outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said. A 16-year-old male from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage, it added At 10.15pm, Essex Police said: 'There were angry and violent scenes when a woman walked through the crowds. 'Missiles were thrown at her and a number of individuals were shouting abuse and trying to reach the woman. 'Our officers walked alongside her until she left the scene in order to keep everyone on all sides safe and ensure no-one was hurt.' It added: 'An officer from Norfolk was struck in the face by a bottle and taken to hospital.' A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place 'to prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour', and a Section 60AA was activated to give officers the power to make 'any individuals' remove their 'face coverings and balaclavas'. Epping High Road was closed for 'a number of hours' after people gathered there. Police said 'all protesters have now been dispersed' at 11.15pm. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle. 'For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery – think again.' Some set off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'. Bottles and smoke flares were later thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel on the High Road. This came as a man was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage on Sunday afternoon following previous clashes outside the hotel. Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said. The force said on Sunday that 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 on Monday. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Chief Superintendent Anslow said: 'Individuals who thought that after last Thursday, turned up this evening only to find themselves getting arrested (sic) and we have continued to arrest others throughout the evening.' He added: 'I would also like to set the record straight around misinformation that Essex Police is anything other than impartial. 'We don't take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – plain and simple. 'I know the people of Essex know what we're about so I know they won't believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble. 'I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality. 'But our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you, so don't be in any doubt that this is where you will be sleeping.'
Rhyl Journal
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Six arrested after ‘thuggery' outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said. A 16-year-old male from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage, it added At 10.15pm, Essex Police said: 'There were angry and violent scenes when a woman walked through the crowds. 'Missiles were thrown at her and a number of individuals were shouting abuse and trying to reach the woman. 'Our officers walked alongside her until she left the scene in order to keep everyone on all sides safe and ensure no-one was hurt.' It added: 'An officer from Norfolk was struck in the face by a bottle and taken to hospital.' A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place 'to prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour', and a Section 60AA was activated to give officers the power to make 'any individuals' remove their 'face coverings and balaclavas'. Epping High Road was closed for 'a number of hours' after people gathered there. Police said 'all protesters have now been dispersed' at 11.15pm. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle. 'For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery – think again.' Some set off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'. Bottles and smoke flares were later thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel on the High Road. This came as a man was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage on Sunday afternoon following previous clashes outside the hotel. Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said. The force said on Sunday that 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 on Monday. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Chief Superintendent Anslow said: 'Individuals who thought that after last Thursday, turned up this evening only to find themselves getting arrested (sic) and we have continued to arrest others throughout the evening.' He added: 'I would also like to set the record straight around misinformation that Essex Police is anything other than impartial. 'We don't take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – plain and simple. 'I know the people of Essex know what we're about so I know they won't believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble. 'I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality. 'But our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you, so don't be in any doubt that this is where you will be sleeping.'
South Wales Guardian
6 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Six arrested after ‘thuggery' outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said. A 16-year-old male from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage, it added At 10.15pm, Essex Police said: 'There were angry and violent scenes when a woman walked through the crowds. 'Missiles were thrown at her and a number of individuals were shouting abuse and trying to reach the woman. 'Our officers walked alongside her until she left the scene in order to keep everyone on all sides safe and ensure no-one was hurt.' It added: 'An officer from Norfolk was struck in the face by a bottle and taken to hospital.' A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place 'to prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour', and a Section 60AA was activated to give officers the power to make 'any individuals' remove their 'face coverings and balaclavas'. Epping High Road was closed for 'a number of hours' after people gathered there. Police said 'all protesters have now been dispersed' at 11.15pm. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle. 'For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery – think again.' Some set off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'. Bottles and smoke flares were later thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel on the High Road. This came as a man was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage on Sunday afternoon following previous clashes outside the hotel. Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said. The force said on Sunday that 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 on Monday. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Chief Superintendent Anslow said: 'Individuals who thought that after last Thursday, turned up this evening only to find themselves getting arrested (sic) and we have continued to arrest others throughout the evening.' He added: 'I would also like to set the record straight around misinformation that Essex Police is anything other than impartial. 'We don't take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – plain and simple. 'I know the people of Essex know what we're about so I know they won't believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble. 'I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality. 'But our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you, so don't be in any doubt that this is where you will be sleeping.'
