24 more people charged over Grand National protest
The famous race at Aintree was disrupted in 2023 by animal rights protestors
Merseyside Police have confirmed that 24 people have been charged in connection with the protest at the Grand National 2023, which includes those who allegedly got onto the racecourse.
An investigation into the large-scale protest on Saturday 15 April 2023 remains ongoing and people continue to be charged for their involvement.
Previously, a number of people have been charged and appeared in court for blocking access for vehicles near junction 2 of the M57.
Five people have now been charged with intentional/reckless public nuisance after they were accused of entering onto the racecourse. These are:
• Edward Allnutt, 33, of Mortimer Street in London
• Michelle Farnham, 26, of The Cleve, in Harpenden
• Robert Gordon, 28, of Walker Drive, in York
• Daniel Kidby, 32, of St Michael’s Place, in Stroud
• Alistair Stewart, 28, of Boleyn Road, in London
A further 19 people have also been charged with intentional/reckless public nuisance after allegedly climbing over fences and attempting to get onto the racecourse. These are:
• Joshua Brooks, 37, of Oakhurst Gardens, in Walthamstow
• Alexandra Dunnet, 25, of Harford Mews, in London
• Ben Stevenson, 24, of Cromwell Close, in Acton
• Zoe Copley, 51, of Cysgod Y Castell, Llandudno
• Jamie Lesse, 50, of Booth Street, Chesterton
• Richard Raineri, 26, of Gosberton Road, in London
• James Brand, 22, of no fixed abode
• Connor Peters, 25, of Main Street, in North Frodingham
• Luke Wood, 51, of Main Road, in Stonely
• Marcus Emmerson, 28, of no fixed abode
• Calum Marshall, 26, of Hope Park Terrace, Newington, Edinburgh
• Lesley Hill, 57, of Tithebarn Cottages, in Llanasa
• Zara Verryt, 35, of Sheldon Road, in Sheffield
• Joshua Parkinson, 28, Musgrave View, in Leeds
• Imogen Robertson, 23, of Grange Gardens, in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
• Sarah McCaffrey, 21, of Hunterlees Gardens, Glassford, in Strathaven
• Lewis Elliott, 31, of no fixed abode
• Laura Cox, 29, of Millfield Avenue, in York
• Megan Thornbury, 45, of Millstone Way, in Gloucester
They have all been bailed and due to appear at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court on either Wednesday 10 October or Wednesday 6 November.
The total number of people charged in connection with protests at the Grand National event now stands at 58 people.
If you have any information about the protests at the Grand National in 2023, you can call 101 or DM ‘MerPolCC’ on Twitter of ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, quoting reference 23000318389. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.