Man charged after Epsom Derby protest
Last updated 5th Jun 2023
A man has bee charged after a protester ran onto the track during the Epsom Derby on Saturday (3 June).
A man was filmed jumping the fence and sprinting on to the course as the race began.
Surrey Police confirmed 32 year old Ben Newman from Hackney has been charged with causing public nuisance.
He is due to appear at Guildford Magistrates court on Monday 5 June.
The protest happened after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted an injunction prohibiting the Animal Rising group from intervening in the event.
Newman is one of 31 people arrested on Saturday, including 12 on the racecourse grounds.
They included two women who were arrested as they tried to climb the fence and get on to the track.
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."
After the Derby, the chief executive of the Jockey Club, Nevin Truesdale, praised the "swift and decisive" action of police in putting an end to the "deplorable and mindless actions" of the protesters.