Judge bails pair accused of pulling police officer from horse during fees protests granted bail

Christopher Hilliard, 22, and a 17-year-old youth are charged with committing violent disorder in London’s Parliament Square on December 9 last year.

Hilliard, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, and the youth, also from Cheshire, appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court but did not enter a plea.

Senior District Judge Howard Riddle bailed the pair to return to the court on March 24 for the case to be committed to the crown court. The pair were among six defendants who were at the court accused of committing offences during the demonstration.

Charlie Gilmour, the son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, was due to appear before the court but his case was postponed.

James Jeffal, of Willesden Lane, north London, appeared at the magistrates’ court yesterday accused of causing fear of unlawful violence during the protests in Pall Mall East on November 30.

Jeffal, 19, denied the charge, and is due to appear in court again on March 3, with a trial scheduled to take place on June 3.

Kevin Wilson-Webb, of Lexham Mews, west London, pleaded not guilty to stealing a helmet belonging to a Metropolitan Police officer on November 24.

The 50-year-old opted for a trial by jury, and will return to the magistrates’ court on March 24 for the case to be committed to the Crown Court.

Also yesterday a 26-year-old man pleaded guilty to theft of police equipment during the student protests.

James Cross, of Lewisham, south-east London, admitted stealing evidence bags and a public order thigh guard on November 24.

Robert Short, prosecuting, said Cross was seen trying to get past the police cordon in Whitehall, where he “appeared nervous and shifted his gaze”.

A police officer searched him before he was allowed to leave the area, and noticed the equipment in his jacket.

Mr Riddle said the matter was made more serious because it occurred “during a time of very significant public disorder”, and because Cross had not completed a sentence for a previous conviction.

The district judge handed him a community order, with a curfew requiring him to stay indoors between the hours of 8pm and 4am until April 8.