Two men to face charges over Chichester Superdrug incident
The pair are due to appear in court next month
Last updated 22nd Sep 2023
Two men are to face charges following a criminal investigation into an incident captured on video at a Superdrug store in Chichester.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges of false imprisonment and battery of a 15-year-old boy from Worthing against Jake De-Geus, 29, from Chichester and Edwin Hirst, 39, from Fareham in Hampshire, over an incident at the East Street store on 22 March.
Edwin Hirst has also been charged with a further offence of battery against a 16-year-old boy from Chichester.
They have been summonsed to appear before Worthing Magistrates' Court on 24 October.
David Owen, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS South East said: “The charges were authorised by the CPS after receiving a full file of evidence from Sussex Police.
“Criminal proceedings against Mr De-Geus and Mr Hirst are now active, and they have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”
On 29 June, the CPS determined no charges should be brought against two boys, who were aged 15 and 16 at the time and who were arrested for assault at the scene of the incident, due to insufficient evidence.