On Friday, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found Gower, of Epping, and Curson, of Upminster, east London, guilty of committing violent disorder. Jurors were told that six people had already pleaded guilty to violent disorder relating to the protest on July 17. Crowds started to gather outside the Bell Hotel from around 4pm that day, with 400 to 500 people attending the protest, the trial heard. At about 5.30pm, around 50 counter-protesters arrived at Epping station and were escorted by police towards the hotel. Tony Wyatt, defending Gower, told jurors his client went to the protest “about a very specific and very valid issue”, and “as a pillar of the community”.

Source: Ethiopian News April 10, 2026 15:35 UTC