Lee Gower, 43, and Phillip Curson, 53, of Upminster, deny committing violent disorder during demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Essex on July 17 last year. Gower, of Epping, also denies assaulting a police officer during the protest. He told jurors that six people had already pleaded guilty to violent disorder relating to the protest on July 17. At about 5.30pm, around 50 counter-protesters arrived at Epping train station and were escorted by police officers towards the hotel. Police outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex last year (Jordan Pettitt/PA)“Police officers were subjected to sustained attacks, including acts and threats of violence.

Source: Ethiopian News March 24, 2026 12:19 UTC