CCTV images will help find man who attacked police officer

Detectives hope new CCTV images will help them find a man who attacked a police officer at Chester railway station. An initial appeal to find the suspect failed, but British Transport Police hope the release of a new image will encourage further witnesses to step forward.

The incident took place at about 4.40pm on Thursday, November 11, last year following a demonstration by the English Defence League in Chester. After the demonstration a large number of EDL members arrived at the city’s station to catch trains. BTP officers attended and sought to control a swelling crowd, but as the number of people grew officers became involved in an altercation with several protesters. During the fight PC Graham Funnell was assaulted twice and was kicked to the groin by one of the demonstrators.

DC Jaime Brannagan said: “PC Funnell was carrying out a civic duty to maintain order and protect members of the public when he was assaulted by the EDL member. BTP simply will not tolerate violence or aggression on the railway and will do everything in its power to bring those who behave inappropriately to justice.”

He added: “We were unsuccessful with our initial appeal to trace the man responsible, but I now hope, with the release of a CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with the incident, we will be able to jog someone’s memory and bring the offender to justice. It’s possible the offender is from Shropshire as several others in the group bought tickets to Shrewsbury, but it is also possible he is local to Cheshire or Merseyside.”

If you recognise the man from the CCTV, or have any information in relation to the incident, please contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote reference 389 of 11/11/10.

Chester First

Thanks to Zaahid for the heads-up

Peter Tierney trial moved from Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th June

Urgent! Change of date for Peter Tierney trial and protest - Wednesday June 16th

Liverpool Antifascists have learned that BNP member and donor Peter Tierney’s trial has been moved from Monday 14th June to Wednesday 16th June. The planned antifascist protest will now take place on this date.

Tierney is accused of assaulting a trade unionist and anti-fascist protester in April last year. The change of court date represents a clear attempt to diminish the attention this trial receives, but Liverpool Antifascists remain determined that fascist violence cannot simply be forgotten. We have demonstrated at every one of Tierney’s previous court appearances and this will be no different.

Assemble at 8.30am, Liverpool Crown Court, Derby Square, on Wednesday 16th June

We are looking to get the largest possible turnout at the court on the Wednesday and the two following days for which the trial is scheduled. We urge all local and regional trade unions and anti-fascist organisations to ensure their banner is at the demonstration.

Liverpool Antifascists

Former Dagenham councillor arrested

Former Cllr Bob Bailey [pictured, left] has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting two teenagers in the street on the eve of the General Election

The BNP chief, who stood as an MP candidate in Romford while still contesting his council seat in Alibon ward, attended an east London police station by appointment yesterday (Tuesday). Mr Bailey, 44, was arrested and quizzed over allegations he assaulted an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old in Harrow Road, Barking, on May 5. The former councillor, who lost his seat in the local elections on May 7, was bailed to return on July 12.

Both teenagers involved in the alleged street brawl [film of the incident here] were also arrested following police enquiries. They attended an east London police station on May 6 and were questioned under suspicion of assault and affray. Pending further enquiries both teenagers were bailed to return on a date in mid July.

An investigation into the incident was launched by officers from the Barking Community Safety Unit after an allegation of assault was made against Mr Bailey.

Initially when police were called to reports of a fight in Harrow Road at around 3pm on Wednesday May 5, the matter was not pursued. Officers noted that no allegations were made, no-one was injured, no arrests were made and no further police action was taken.

Barking and Dagenham Post

Peter Tierney denies camera tripod attack in BNP assault trial at Liverpool Crown Court

A member of the BNP hit an anti-fascist protestor round the head with a camera tripod as the two sides clashed in Liverpool city centre, a court was told.

Peter Tierney, 52, denies striking campaigner Nick Barnett, saying it was “an accident”. Tierney stood trial at Liverpool crown court yesterday after denying a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

John Dixon, prosecuting, told the court that on St George’s Day, Thursday April 23, last year, the BNP were handing out leaflets in Liverpool city centre. Mr Dixon said an “informal political movement” calling themselves the Merseyside Coalition Against Racism and Fascism – of which Mr Barnett is a member – heard about the campaigning and headed into the city to hand out their own leaflets.

The two sides clashed verbally in St John’s Gardens, behind St George’s Hall. Mr Barnett, 30, in his evidence said his group were shouting “Nazi scum” at the BNP, who were shouting back: “Get a wash, get a job”.

Mr Barnett said the BNP were moving toward the front of St George’s Hall and he went to run past them so he could hand out his leaflets first. As he did, he said he felt something hit him on the back of the head. When he turned around, Mr Barnett described seeing Tierney stood by him with the camera tripod in his hands. He went to hospital and had to have a cut to his head glued.

During his time on the witness stand, Tierney, of High Street, Hale Village, said the anti-fascists ran at them “screaming like banshees” and he only used the tripod as “a barrier” to stop himself and a friend being attacked as he felt they were in danger.

The jury of six men and six women watched CCTV of the incident numerous times throughout the day. The case was set for three days but is now expected to finish [today].

Liverpool Daily Post

Anti-BNP/Peter Tierney protest – new date March 17th

The trial of the BNP’s Peter Tierney for assault has been moved to Wednesday March 17th. Our protest against the BNP will therefore take place on that day: 9. 15am at the Victoria Monument, Derby Square, Liverpool 1.

New flyers and posters are attached. Please distribute widely. If you told anyone about the original date of this event, please let them know that it is now on the 17th.

The change means that we will NOT be leafleting Liverpool 8 tomorrow. A midweek date for leafleting will be set and advertised soon. We will still leaflet door-to-door in Toxteth on Saturday March 13th to build for this event.

We want the maximum possible turnout on the 17th to show that the BNP have no place in our city.


Leaflet
Poster

Liverpool Anti-Fascists

Anti-BNP demo in Liverpool Dec 9th

Peter Tierney, a prominent local member of the British National Party, is appearing at Liverpool Crown Court next Wednesday. In April he was arrested for assaulting a man who objected to racist leaflets he was distributing in the city centre. On Wednesday he will appear to enter a plea.

We will be holding a demonstration against the BNP from 9.30am on Wednesday December 9th outside the court in Derby Square, by the Victoria monument. We have already had a positive response from other local groups concerned about the growth of the racist and fascist BNP.

At each of Tierney's court appearances, we have held demonstrations in order to expose the real politics of the BNP and to build a strong anti-fascist movement in the city. Let's have another big turnout on Wednesday to show that we won't tolerate BNP violence and racism in Liverpool or anywhere else.

Liverpool Anti-Fascists

BNP activist held over assault claim

A British National Party activist who has run for council and to be an MP was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his deaf wife.

Clive Courtney, 55, was yesterday being questioned by Avon and Somerset police for alleged violence against his spouse, Julie, at their home in Pensford.

Mr Courtney has been a local organiser of the right-wing party for Bristol and has been active during the current local election campaigns.

A police spokesman told the Bristol Evening Post: "I can confirm that last night, at about 11.25pm, we were called to a disturbance at a Hillcrest address in Pensford. Subsequently, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and is being questioned at Bath police station."

It is thought construction engineer Mr Courtney's teenage step-daughter was also at home during the alleged assault on Wednesday night. As of yesterday evening, he had not been charged with any offence.

Bristol Evening Post