Fees protest: Meadows faces charge

Meadows – who had brain surgery after allegedly being hit by truncheon – charged with violent disorder A student who had to have brain surgery after he was allegedly hit by a truncheon during the tuition fees protests in central London on 9 December is among 11 males aged between 15 and 25 charged in connection with violence at the event. Alfie Meadows, 20, faces a charge of violent disorder. It brings the total number of people charged as a result of the disturbances to 13, a figure which may increase, according to the Metropolitan police. Meadows is said to have fallen unconscious on the way to hospital after being struck as he tried to leave an area outside Westminster Abbey during the protests. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The 11 men include six who are facing charges of violent disorder, one who faces two counts of criminal damage, and another who was charged with affray. Three males aged 15, 16 and 17 were charged with violent disorder and will appear at west London youth court on 24 May, while the eight older individuals will appear at City of Westminster magistrates court on 9 June. In addition, a 16-year-old youth also received a final warning for possession of cannabis, and affray. More than 50 people were injured during the disturbances, including Meadows and a police officer who sustained serious neck injuries, while dozens of arrests were made. According to police, scuffles first broke out after the protest, which had been called by a loose coalition of student groups who deviated from an agreed route. Tuition fees Students Higher education Protest Police London Ben Quinn guardian.co.uk

Posted by on April 26, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.