Four charged after EDL demonstration in Rotherham

Members of the English Defence League make their way up Main Street

TWO women and two men have been charged with a rangee of offences following Saturday’s far-right protest in the town centre and others are being investigated.

Gaynor McBeth (36), of Norfolk Court, Rotherham, was charged with breaching a section 35 notice.

Margaret Ridgeway (38), of Hollowgate, Rotherham, was charged with an offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act.

Leslie David Emery (39), of Avondale Road, Rotherham, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and served with a section 35 dispersal notice.

Dominic Wharmsby (28), of Laudsdale Road, East Herringthorpe, was charged with a racially aggravated offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act and a religiously aggravated offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act.

All four have been bailed to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on March 14.

A 45-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of homophobic chanting and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Chief Supt Rob Odell, local policing commander for Rotherham, said: “In addition to the charges detailed above, we also have officers pursuing active lines of enquiry to identify and apprehend other individuals suspected of being involved in criminality in Rotherham on Saturday.

“I’d urge anyone who is perhaps yet to come forward with reports of crime on Saturday to get in touch with officers so we can be sure every incident is logged and investigated.

“The significant policing presence across Rotherham on Saturday also included vehicles being stopped, some vehicles being seized, individuals breath tested for drugs and alcohol and 38 section 35 dispersal notices were handed out.

“I hope that our robust approach has reassured local communities that while we must respect an individual’s right to peaceful protest, we will absolutely not stand for antisocial behaviour, crime or disorder and will balance this right to protest against the impact on our residents.”

To report a crime which was carried out before, during or after the demonstration on Saturday call police on 101.

Certain crimes can also be reported online, visit https://www.reportingcrime.uk/.