Animal Rising protester slammed by judge for ‘endangering’ the lives of security guards and police who dragged him off race track at the Epsom Derby moments before horses galloped past is spared jail

• Ben Newman, 32, was filmed running on to the course as the major race began 

An Animal Rising protester who was slammed by a judge for ‘endangering’ the lives of security guards and police who dragged him off the track at the Epsom Derby moments before horses galloped past has been spared jail.

Ben Newman, 32, of Hackney, east London, was filmed running onto the course on June 3 just as a major race began. 

After pleading guilty to causing public nuisance at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, Newman was critcised by the judge for his actions which could have ‘endangered’ the lives of those who ran onto the track to drag him off.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and fined a total of £1,356.

The protest happened after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted an injunction banning the Animal Rising group from intervening in the event. 

Animal rights activist Ben Newman (right) has been spared jail after running onto the track at the Epsom Derby just moments before horses galloped past

Newman, 32, pleaded guilty to causing public nuisance after running on to the track on June 3

He appeared in court dressed in a grey sweatshirt. He was one of 31 people arrested on the day of the race, including 12 on the racecourse grounds.

Footage played at court showed Newman running on to the track as event personnel darted after him before wrestling him to the ground and dragging him to one side.

About a minute later the horses sprinted past, prosecutor Wendy Cottee told the court.

She said: ‘The Derby was due to start at 3:30pm. Horses were let out just after that. This defendant then ran across the track. The horses were around a minute away.

Newman was carried away by police after running onto the course last month 

He was filmed running on to the course as the major race began

‘He was apprehended and taken off the track. The defendant admits that the public were angry with him – several were jeering at him.’

Police said that 39 people had been arrested over the course of the two days at Epsom.

A spokesman said at the time: ‘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 charge 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.’

READ: Wimbledon fans are urged by minister to ‘do a Jonny Bairstow’ to stop Just Stop Oil eco-clowns from disrupting more matches – after zealots invaded the same court twice in two hours

Animal Rising defended Newman, saying he ‘cares deeply about animals.’

A statement released by the group last month said: ‘He made it onto the track yesterday to continue this urgent conversation about our treatment of not just horses in the racing industry, but all the intelligent, feeling animals who suffer unnecessarily in society.

‘Before the race started it was clear to security and police that multiple people were attempting to get over the barriers, but organisers chose to steam ahead regardless and not only started the race, but failed to follow the British Horseracing Authority’s ‘Stop Race’ procedures with Ben on the track.

‘To protect the race, an additional £150,000 was spent on security alongside a policing operation that included facial recognition cameras, 2 house raids, and 30 pre-emptive arrests.

‘The fact anyone made it on the track goes to show that people who care deeply will not be stopped by crackdowns on protesting, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure a safe, secure future for all life.’

On Wednesday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman held a summit at Downing Street with police and sports bodies including the Lawn Tennis Association, the Premier League and the England and Wales Cricket Board to discuss plans to step up security at summer sporting events. 

That afternoon, Just Stop Oil protesters threw orange confetti and jigsaw pieces on to court 18 at Wimbledon. 

Source: Read Full Article