Two Men Charged After Chaos at Epping Protest
Police have arrested and charged two men following disturbances during protest action on High Road, Epping, last Friday night (29 August).
Drink-Driver Caught Riding Towards Police
Around 9.30pm, officers manning a police cordon spotted a white car recklessly driving on the wrong side of the road heading straight for them. The driver was swiftly stopped and arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
Ross Ellis, 49, from Orchard Croft, Harlow, was charged with failing to provide a specimen. He appeared at 1 Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 30 August.
Officer Injured in Separate Assault
In a separate incident at 9.20pm, a police officer suffered an ankle injury while managing the protest.
Jimmy Hillard, 52, of Chequers Road, Loughton, has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 1 September.
Third Suspect Held Over Violent Disorder
Meanwhile, a third man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder as investigations continue.
Police Vow Continued Presence
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: “As I said last night, the right to protest does not include a right to commit crime. We’ve worked closely with our Crown Prosecution Service colleagues overnight to secure these charges, and the cases will now proceed through the court system appropriately.
To our residents in Epping, you will continue to see a policing presence in the area throughout this afternoon and into this evening.”
