Three Erewash residents appear in court following disorder in Nottingham

A Long Eaton man and two West Hallam residents have appeared before Magistrates to answer for their respective parts in disturbances in Nottingham City Centre.

A total of fifteen people were detained during the protests held in and around Old Market Square on Saturday 3rd August. Following on from that, eight people were subsequently charged with a variety of offences including public order, weapon offences and assaulting an emergency worker and subsequently sentenced.

Joshua Witts, aged 36, of Firs Street, Long Eaton was charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986.  Appearing before Nottingham Magistrates on August 20th, he pleaded guilty, but after hearing that he was due to be sentenced on August 27th for burgling a Sandiacre property on February 22nd this year, the District Judge adjourned all matters to be dealt with at the same time and remanded Witts into custody in the interim.

Kevin Musgrave, aged 37, of High Lane East, West Hallam was previously charged with assaulting an emergency worker and causing criminal damage. After pleading guilty, he was handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Victoria Gray, aged 42, of High Lane East, West Hallam, was arrested for shouting a series of racist and homophobic comments and for spitting on an arresting officer.  Previously charged with causing religious aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, plus two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and breaching Sections 4 and 29 of the Public Order Act 1986, the court heard that she had been in illegal possession of pepper spray.  Ms Gray pleaded guilty to all five charges and was handed a six-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, but was ordered to undertake 15 days of rehabilitation.  Additionally, a fine of £200 was levied for racial harassment, increased from £100 having been seen as a 'hate crime'.

Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Constable, Steve Cooper previously stated that "the vast majority of the public who attended carried out their right to protest in a peaceful manner. Those who were intent on causing problems were dealt with robustly."

The other individuals who have been charged were Nottingham residents, apart from one - who is of no fixed abode.