Raise the Colours founder charged with 14 offences
BBC News reports that Ryan Bridge, founder of activist group Raise the Colours, has been charged with 14 offences, including racially aggravated harassment, threatening behaviour, and assault.
Bridge, aged 45, from Blackwell, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has been erecting Union Jack and St George's Cross flags on lampposts across the Midlands and south of England since last summer as part of his group's campaign.
According to Thames Valley Police, Bridge will appear before Oxford Magistrates' Court on 3 November to face the following charges:
- Seven counts of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress
- Three counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence
- Two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress
- One count of racially aggravated fear of violence
- One count of common assault
In July, Oxfordshire County Council obtained a High Court injunction to stop people placing flags near highways due to safety concerns, trespass, and obstruction. Birmingham City Council is also set to argue for a similar injunction at the High Court on Tuesday.