CHARGES OVER THE BATTLE OF BRIDEWELL
SEVEN MORE TO FACE COURT OVER CITY CENTRE RIOTS
SEVEN more people have been charged following disorder outside Bristol’s Bridewell Police Station. Another person has been charged with a different offence of outraging public decency, Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement yesterday.
The development comes after a man was separately charged with riot and arson last month, and a senior officer is expecting more people to face charges in the coming days.
What started as a peaceful Kill the Bill protest ended with shocking scenes of violence on the night of Sunday, March 21, with police officers injured, police vehicles torched and windows at the station smashed.
Police launched a major public appeal to identify people they wanted to speak to in connection with the disorder, and have now announced a major development in their investigation.
The Crown Prosecution Service South West Complex Casework Unit has authorised charges, following a review of evidence submitted by the force.
Most of the suspects are from the Bristol area, with an age range of between 18 and
46.
The youngest, from Birmingham, has not been named by police.
They are all due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on May 28:
» Benjamin Rankin, aged 40, from Bedminster – charged with riot and an arson offence
» Jasmine York, aged 26, from Arnos Vale – charged with riot and an arson offence
» Kane Adamson, aged 21, from Bedminster – charged with riot
» Mariella Gedge-Roberts, aged 26, from Clifton – charged with riot
» An 18-year-old man from Springfield, Birmingham – charged with riot
» Brandon Lloyd, aged 21, from Henbury – charged with riot
» Stuart Quinn, 46, from St Paul’s – charged with riot
» Yasmin Schneider, aged 25, from St Paul’s – charged with two counts of outraging public decency
» Another person also charged with riot, 25-year-old Ryan Roberts from Plymouth, had already been named and has appeared in court.
He was also charged with two arson offences, and is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court at a date yet to be confirmed.
Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said: “The decision to charge people with riot is a significant development in what remains one of the largest investigations ever carried out by Avon and Somerset Police.
“In each case, the Crown Prosecution Service has received a file of evidence gathered by our investigation team and has authorised the charge of riot to be brought.
“The proper judicial process will now run its course.”
The Chief Superintendent said: “We anticipate there will be further people charged in the coming days and weeks as we continue to make further progress.”