Day of EDL violence described in court

Around 1,800 supporters of the far-right group filled Birmingham's Broad Street and Centenary Square during the rally on July 20 last year.

And now four men, including one from Wednesbury, have gone on trial in connection with the problems that flared that day.

At the beginning of their trial on Monday, at Birmingham Crown Court, prosecuting barrister Mr David Bennett said all four were 'aggressors throughout' the trouble at the rally.

He said: "It's not an offence to be a member of the EDL, it's perfectly lawful to attend a demonstration held by the EDL. What it's unlawful to do is use or threaten unlawful violence."

Mr Bennett told that jury a large number of demonstrators had started the day in Bar Risa, on Broad Street, before they were moved to Centenary Square by the police, which was the designated area for the rally.

But trouble soon flared up when some members clashed with police, who had set up a cordon to prevent them from getting to a counter demonstration happening at the same time in nearby Chamberlain Square.

He said: "Warnings were given by the police that they would use force if they didn't back off, these warnings went unheeded and those demonstrators continued to attack officers trying to get through those lines. The level of violence increased. First of all there was some pushing and shoving, then punches and kicks being used against police officers, in the end things were being thrown at police officers – bricks, stones, things of that nature."

Mr Bennett said the disorder went on for around three hours, with both officers and demonstrators being injured and damage being caused before it settled down.

Running through the alleged individual actions of the defendants, Mr Bennett said Thomas Wilkie, aged 22, from Kent Road, Wednesbury, was first involved in Centenary Square.

He said: "He can be seen kicking some hoarding or fence line. When officers were deployed to protect the building site he was shouting and pointing aggressively towards the police.

"He was then on Broad Street, again gesturing towards officers, seen to kick out at officers, now with his face covered."

During police interview, Wilkie claimed he was in Birmingham to watch a football match and got caught up in the disorder.

All four men, who also include Andrew Edge, aged 40, from Wellington Road South, Stockport, Shane Williams, 26 and from Dragons Lane, Leicester, and Paul McKenzie, 49 and from Braemar Road, Billingham, deny violent disorder. The trial continues.