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Derby Protestor Spared Jail Time After 18-Week Sentence Suspended

Ben Newman, who was filmed running onto the Epsom Downs course after the Derby had started and was subsequently apprehended by security in June, was spared jail time after his 18 weeks of imprisonment was suspended for two years, Sky Sports reported on Thursday. The defendant, 32 and part of protest group Animal Rising, was also fined a total of £1,356.

The defendant entered a guilty plea at Guildford Crown Court for causing a public nuisance. The judge criticised Newman for “endangering” the lives of police and security stationed around the course. Epsom Downs obtained an injunction banning Animal Rising prior to the Derby Festival. Newman was one of 31 people arrested on the day of the race.

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BHA Will Not “Be Coerced Into Any Activity By Threats Of Protests” And Will Not Debate With Activist Group

Ahead of next week's Royal Ascot meeting, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will not take part in a nationally televised debate with Animal Rising, the organisation announced on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, animal activist group Animal Rising reportedly stated at a Wednesday press conference they would “pause” their protest activity this summer if UK racing's leaders took part in such a debate.

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said, “At a press conference today, Animal Rising said they will cease their protest activity this summer if British racing agrees to take part in a public debate about 'the morals of horseracing'. We will never allow British horseracing to be coerced into any activity by threats of protests.”

Protestors had previously disrupted the Grand National, and Scottish Grand National this spring. Prior to the G1 Betfred Derby, Animal Rising claimed they would not attempt to enter the racecourse once the Derby was under way, but one member did so and was arrested on the track.

She added, “Animal Rising have shown by their reckless actions at the Epsom Derby that their public promises cannot be trusted. They have demonstrated they are prepared to commit potentially unlawful acts and to directly threaten the safety of horses and people to generate publicity around their wider aims. These aims include the end of all use of animals by human beings.

“Spokespeople for the sport have already taken part in well over an hour of televised debate since April. Throughout those debates the message was clear–that British racing is a sport which is proud of its welfare record, which provides an unparalleled quality of life for the 20,000 horses that compete each year, and which constantly works to minimise the levels of avoidable risk.

“Once again I call on Animal Rising to end their reckless acts against a sport legally enjoyed by millions of people every year.”

At the end of May, Epsom was granted an injunction against protestors prior to the G1 Betfred Derby Festival, and officials at Ascot said they would not be seeking a similar injunction “at this time” last week.

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Ascot Assessing Security Plans Ahead Of Royal Meeting

Officials at Ascot are liaising with authorities over security plans for the Royal meeting following the attempted disruption to Saturday's Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Police arrested 31 people on Saturday, including 12 on the racecourse grounds, after Animal Rising announced their intention to “cancel or severely delay” the Derby in the lead up to the race, which went ahead as planned.

Surrey Police confirmed on Sunday that Ben Newman, 32, from Hackney, east London, had been charged with causing public nuisance after running onto the track during the Derby itself.

He appeared at Guildford Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded not guilty to causing public nuisance, on Monday. It comes after he was filmed jumping the fence and sprinting on to the course at Epsom as the race began on Saturday. He was chased by police as the crowd jeered before officers tackled him and pulled him away.

The protest occurred after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom, was granted an injunction prohibiting the group from intervening in the event, claiming the organisation had made “explicitly clear” that it intended to breach security.

Ascot are looking closely at all security options ahead of the five-day meeting which starts on Tuesday, June 20.

The Berkshire track's director of racing and public affairs, Nick Smith, said, “Epsom did a fantastic job and kept the protesters under control. Anyone who saw the efforts of all involved could not fail to be impressed. Swift and decisive action was taken.

“We will be holding internal discussions and will be liaising with the Jockey Club and the police to develop and deliver our plan over the next few days. Watch this space is all I can say at the moment.”

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