Man charged over Derby race protest at Epsom

Jun 04, 2023 at 9:54 PM

olice have charged an animal rights activist who ran on to the observe on the Epsom Derby.

A person was filmed leaping the fence and sprinting on to the course because the race started on Saturday.

He was pursued by police as the gang jeered, with some shouting “get him”, earlier than officers tackled him and pulled him away.

Surrey Police confirmed on Sunday that Ben Newman, 32, from Hackney, east London, had been charged with inflicting public nuisance.

The protest occurred after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted an injunction prohibiting the Animal Rising group from intervening within the occasion, claiming the organisation had made “explicitly clear” that it meant to breach safety.

Newman is one among 31 individuals arrested on Saturday together with 12 on the racecourse grounds.

They included two ladies who have been arrested as they tried to climb the fence and get on to the observe.

A police spokesman stated: “A total of 39 arrests were made over the course of the two days. Thirty-one of these arrests were made in connection with planned criminal activity at the Epsom Derby Festival, including two women who were quickly detained moments before they were able to get on to the track.

“Thirty have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.”

Chief Superintendent Clive Davies, who was in control of the policing operation for the Derby, added: “I am incredibly proud of every single officer, staff member and volunteer who worked in the run-up to the event and at the event itself.

“They played a vital role in protecting the public and preventing and responding to criminality.”

After the Derby, the chief government of the Epsom Jockey Club, Nevin Truesdale, praised the “swift and decisive” motion of police in placing an finish to the “deplorable and mindless actions” of the protesters.