Anti-Fascist Counter-Demonstrator Hurled Object At English Defence League Supporters

An anti-fascist demonstrator, who hurled an object towards a group of chanting English Defence League supporters near Downing Street, was convicted of threatening behaviour yesterday.

James O'Brien, 30, of Eastfield Road, Peterborough was part of a group standing in the central reservation of Whitehall exchanging chants with the EDL protesters, who had gathered outside a pub.

He denied, but was convicted at Hammersmith Magistrates Court, of using threatening behaviour on March 15 and was bailed until August 13 for a pre-sentence report.

It was a day of multiple planned ptotests in the area and the EDL had been attracted by a gathering of the right-wing English Volunteer Force, which in turn drew counter-demonstrations.

The court heard the EDL group had gathered outside the Red Lion pub and the counter-demonstration – which included O'Brien – stood in the middle of Whitehall separated by a line of British Transport Police.

The opposing groups were chanting and gesticulating at each other and a beer can was thrown from the EDL supporters towards towards O'Brien's demonstrators.

The defendant was then seen hurling an unknown object overarm and with force towards the EDL group.

The object was never identified and it is not known if it struck anybody or caused any damage.

Hooded O'Brien immediately turned and fled, but ran straight into another group of police officers, who had just emerged from a van as the tension between the opposing groups escalated.

He was detained and arrested and the court rejected his defence that the police were incorrect in their identification of him.