Protesters warned to stay away from court hearing of Edward Colston statue accused

24 January 2021, 20:18

Protesters have been warned to stay away from the court hearing of four people accused of pulling down the statue of Edward Colston last summer.

Rhian Graham, 29, Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 32, and Sage Willoughby, 21, all of no fixed abode, will appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court for their first hearing on Monday.

But police have warned anyone planning on gathering to support the group will be breaking current Covid-19 restrictions.

Currently, anyone organising a gathering of more than 30 people could face a fine of up to £10,000, while participants can be handed a fixed penalty notice of up to £200.

Read more: Former health secretary Lord Lansley tells LBC he thinks lockdown will last until May

Read more: 491,970 Covid vaccines given in one day as death toll rises by 610

The bronze memorial to the 17th century slave merchant was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 7 last year before being dumped in Bristol Harbour.

Avon and Somerset Police fear anti-racism protesters will gather outside the court in breach of lockdown rules banning public gatherings of more than two people.

Although there are certain exemptions to the rule, protests are not allowed.

An alternative online protest has been set up but the force said it was concerned some people might still choose to show up outside the court.

Inspector Rob Cheeseman said: "We fully recognise the important right to freedom of expression and right to assemble but there is a deadly virus which has killed more than 90,000 people in the UK which simply cannot be ignored."

He added: "There is no excuse for not knowing the rules as they are very clear and have been very well publicised - people must stay home except for in a very limited set of circumstances.

"Unlike during the first lockdown protests aren't currently allowed and anyone thinking of flouting the rules and attending a protest is putting others at risk."

Mr Cheeseman said Avon and Somerset Police have a "comprehensive" policing plan prepared should people choose to gather.

"We will not stand by and allow a small minority to endanger the health of the vast majority who have sacrificed so much to protect others," he said.