The faces of the men in court accused over incidents during Epping Bell Hotel protests

Two men have admitted violent disorder and have been told they are likely to face jail time

Two men who took part in a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers have been warned they are likely to be jailed.

Supermarket worker Dean Smith along with Stuart Williams were two of several men to have appeared in court charged with violent disorder following protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping.

Protests began after a migrant who was housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. A series of separate hearings took place at Chelmsford Crown Court today involving people alleged to have gone to the area during protests last month.

Smith, 51, of Epping, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder said to have happened on July 17. Judge Jamie Sawyer remanded Smith in custody until October 6 when he will be sentenced at the same court, and he warned the sentence would “likely” be one of immediate custody.

Barrister Christopher Martin, for Smith, told the court Smith “lives with his mother and is her carer” and “still works full-time for a supermarket where he’s worked full-time for the last seven years”.

Additionally, Williams, 36, of Duck Lane, Thornwood, Epping, pleaded guilty to a single charge of violent disorder. No information on his alleged actions were shared during the short hearing. Williams will now be remanded in custody ahead of his sentence with the other defendants who have pled guilty on October 6 in the same court.

Judge Sawyer has authorised a pre sentence report for Williams, but warned him he faces jail. He said: “The only likelihood is an immediate prison sentence, but give the benefit of the doubt for that pre-sentence report. You will be back before this court for sentence with the other defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. You will be remanded in custody.”

Lee Gower, 43, of Epping, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and he also denied assaulting a police officer on July 17. Gower was remanded in custody until a further case management hearing on September 22.

Shaun Thompson, 37, of Epping, who is alleged to have punched a police car, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder on July 17 and was bailed until a further case management hearing on September 22.

Jonathan Glover, 47, of Waltham Abbey, was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of violent disorder alleged to have happened on July 17. Glover was bailed until September 22, when an application to dismiss his case is due to be heard.

Keith Silk, 33, of Loughton, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder on July 17. Silk also denied criminal damage, having been accused of damaging a sign belonging to the Bell Hotel, and was bailed until a further case management hearing on September 22.

Barrister Richard Reynolds, for defendant Aaron Elles, 28, of Harlow, said Elles wanted to make an application to vacate his guilty plea to a charge of violent disorder, entered at an earlier magistrates’ court hearing. Elles was remanded in custody until a further case management hearing on September 22.

Essex Live