Man charged with concealing identity at protest

A 76‑year‑old man from Hedge End has been charged with concealing his identity at a Portsmouth protest after police warned they would arrest demonstrators wearing face masks or coverings. Timothy Miller, 76, of Sherwood Avenue in Hedge End, was charged with wearing or using an item to conceal his identity at a protest. He is due to appear before Portsmouth magistrates on Monday. David McNally, 33, of Winchester Road in Portsmouth, was also charged with obstructing the highway and attempted criminal damage. He is due in court on 29 October. Hampshire Police said on Friday they would use new powers under the Crime and Policing Act to stop protesters from wearing face coverings that hide their identity. When both groups of demonstrators arrived at Guildhall Square, police kept them separate. The city‑centre protests followed unrest on 6 September when officers attended Eastney Marina after hundreds of demonstrators blocked roads in an attempt to prevent coaches carrying 120 migrants — who had crossed the Channel in a dinghy — from leaving the city. A 16‑year‑old male from Waterlooville was arrested at Saturday’s protest on suspicion of violent disorder linked to the Eastney Marina incident; he has been released on bail until 12 December. Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police officer at the Eastney protest. He was remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 16 September.