MEADOWS: BRAIN INJURY STUDENT ACCUSED OVER FEES PROTESTS TO FACE CROWN COURT

A student activist who underwent life-saving brain surgery after taking part in the tuition fees protest is to face a crown court trial accused of using a metal barrier as a weapon.

Alfie Meadows, an undergraduate philosophy student at Middlesex University, is charged with violent disorder in relation to the demonstration in Parliament Square in the central London on December 9 last year.

It is alleged Meadows, 21, was among a group who lifted a metal fence and used it against police.

Meadows was later rushed to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital with a head injury and underwent three hours of surgery after developing a bleed on the brain.

He was charged with violent disorder in April of this year.

Meadows is due to stand trial with co-defendants Gareth Evans, 24, Steven Catchpole, 19, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons.

All four appeared before District Judge John Zani today (Tues), who directed their case be heard at Kingston Crown Court.

The four accused spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth during a short hearing.

A total of 25 defendants today (Tues) appeared before the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, charged with various offences relating to the student protests.

Each case is due to be dealt with at Kingston in September.

Meadows, of (66) Brixton Water Lane, Brixton, southwest London; Evans, of (18) Seathorne, Withersea, East Yorkshire; Catchpole, of (346) Summerwood Road, Isleworth, west London; and the 17-year-old, of Lewisham, south London; were released on bail.

They will appear before Kingston Crown Court on September 7 for a plea and case management hearing.

No trial date has yet been set.

ENDS