Havant man named and charged with violent disorder following anti-migrant Eastney Point protest

A man has been charged with violent disorder following an anti-migrant protest at Eastney Point.

Nigel Wylie will appear in Portsmouth Crown Court next week following incidents at the demonstration on September 6. Around 200 people gathered in Eastney to protest the arrival of 120 migrants on an RNLI boat.

A large operation took place to process them, with police, fire crews, ambulances, and Border Force all at the scene. Demonstrators, which involved local residents alongside men in black shirts wearing balaclavas, attempted to bloke exit routes out of Eastney.

Hampshire Police Federation said various incidents of public disorder followed, with seven officers being injured alongside criminal damage.

Wylie, 54, of Redbridge Grove, Havant, has been charged with violent disorder at the demonstration. He is the fourth man to be charged following the protest. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers will continue to investigate the September 6 demonstrations.

“Wylie appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court yesterday (September 19) and was remanded into custody,” the force added. “He is next due to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday, September 23.”

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The first man arrested over the protest, Del Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, pleaded guilty to violent disorder earlier this week on September 16. He is expected to be sentenced on September 24 at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Justin Dixon, 50, of Cross Way, Havant, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will appear at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing on October 8.

Deano Ryan, aged 22, of All Saints Road, Buckland, was also charged with violent disorder in relation with the protest and pleaded guilty.

On Friday (September 18), Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard Ryan used or threatened unlawful violence at Southsea and that together with others the conduct would have caused another person at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Ryan was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on October 8.

The RNLI has since temporarily suspended its services at the Portsmouth Lifeboat Station. It has not been operational since September 10, though measures have been taken to secure safety of the city’s waters.

The charity’s lifeboat station on Hayling Island is still in use, with volunteers at Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service still carrying out their duties when called upon.

The RNLI said the decision was made to “review crew safety and wellbeing and to support those involved in the incident on September 6”.