Man charged following 'hate crime' in Epping
Police received reports four cyclists were riding in Bower Hill when a car drove dangerously out of a nearby lane.
A man has been charged with 12 offences after cyclists were racially abused in Epping.
On 8 January, Essex Police received reports four cyclists were riding in Bower Hill when a car drove dangerously out of a nearby lane.
The suspect in the car then stopped the vehicle in front of the group and racially abused the cyclists before reversing at the group causing injuries to the victims and damage to the bicycles.
The driver then left the scene before returning a few minutes later and racially abusing them again.
After a thorough investigation, officers arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Harry Downer, 20, of no fixed abode, has now been charged with four counts of racially aggravated public order offences, two counts of racially aggravated common assault, two counts of racially aggravated beating, two counts of racially aggravated criminal damage, one count of dangerous driving and one count of using a fraudulent number plate.
He will appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 3 October 2023.
Investigating officers Police Constable Olivia Clark and Elliott Harris said: “It is completely and utterly unacceptable for anyone to be subject to verbal and physical racial abuse.
“We simply will not tolerate people being targeted in this way.
“This has been a distressing investigation and we’d like to thank all our colleagues for the time and energy dedicated to establishing the facts of this case.”