Hampshire man charged with attacking emergency worker at protest sparked by national disorder

Ryan Wheatley, 40, of Malvern Close, Fair Oak, will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court later to face the charge which relates to the demonstration held in the city on Wednesday (August 7).

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary made three arrests following demonstrations in the county. A 17-year-old from Portsmouth was detained for wilfully obstructing the highway after a group holding British flags blocked the M275 near the UK Border Agency building in Kettering Terrace.

Video footage showed a male being marched into a police van. He has now been bailed pending further enquiries. The other arrest was an 18-year-old male from Eastleigh detained on suspicion of attempting to cause criminal damage in Southampton.

When asked about the charge, a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman said: “Officers investigating arrests made on Wednesday night have now charged a man, who will appear at court this morning. Ryan Wheatley, 40, of Malvern Close, Fair Oak, has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. He will appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court this morning (August 9). The two others arrested have been bailed while our enquiries continue.”