A man from Buckinghamshire is among ten people charged for blocking a motorway during an animal rights protest at this year's Grand National.
Tobias Brown, 49, of High Wycombe has been charged with wilful highway obstruction seven months after participating in a protest by the Animal Rising group at the Grand National horse race.
The steeplechase, held on April 15 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, was delayed by 12 minutes due to action by the animal rights group which saw activists climb fences to enter the racecourse while protestors blocked a nearby motorway at around the same time.
Today (November 15), Merseyside Police said 10 people had been charged over the road protests.
The force said significant traffic delays were caused after reports of people blocking access at junction two of the M57 motorway at 5.15pm on the day of the race, and attempts were also made to block Wango Lane.
A spokesperson said the protest on the racecourse is still under investigation.
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Zoe Able, 27, of Leeders Pightle, Norfolk; James Kelly, 46, of Northwich, Cheshire; Andrew Houghton, 66, of Bedford; Rosa Sharkey, 23, of Enfield, north London; and Sarah Love, 47, Lucia Alexander, 40, Jamie Carter, 29, and Elenor Kenny, 19, all of no fixed address, have also been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway.
John Edwards, 49, of Colchester, Essex, was charged with stopping/causing a vehicle to remain at rest on a carriageway of a motorway.
They were all released on bail to attend court on either November 22 or December 20.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Dyer said: “Merseyside Police respects the right to a peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behaviour and disorder will never be tolerated.
“Our investigation into the protest on the racecourse at Aintree on Saturday, April 15 remains ongoing and if you have any information, please get in touch.”
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