A police charge against an animal rights activist who raced onto the Epsom Derby course will be heard in court on Monday.
On Saturday, as the marathon got underway, a man was captured on camera leaping the fence and rushing onto the course.
Before policemen tackled him and hauled him away, the crowd booed and others shouted “get him” as they followed the policeman.
Ben Newman, 32, of Hackney, east London, was charged with committing a public disturbance, Surrey Police stated on Sunday.
On Monday, he will show up in Guildford Magistrates’ Court.
The Jockey Club, which runs Epsom Downs, won an injunction barring the Animal Rising organization from interfering in the race, stating the group had made it “explicitly clear” that it meant to violate security. This sparked the protest.
One of the 31 people detained on Saturday, including 12 on the premises of the racetrack, is Newman.
Two of them were ladies who were detained while attempting to scale the barrier and enter the racetrack.
A police spokesman said: “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 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.”
A statement from Animal Rising said: “Like most people, Ben cares deeply about animals. 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, two 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.”
Nevin Truesdale, the head of the Jockey Club, applauded the police’s “swift and decisive” response in ending the demonstrators’ “deplorable and mindless actions” after the Derby.
Newman had previously appeared on GB News and was named by Animal Rising on Saturday.
