Joshua Witts was in Nottingham when rival groups clashed in Old Market Square

The latest protester to appear in court following a face-off between rival groups in Nottingham’s Old Market Square is also a convicted burglar. Joshua Witts was one of eight people arrested and charged when far-right supporters congregated in Old Market Square and were met by a counter-protest near the Brian Clough statue on Saturday, August 3.

During the Nottingham incident, disorder threatened to boil over as the two opposing groups were separated by Nottinghamshire Police . Today, Tuesday, August 20, the 36-year-old, of Long Eaton, pleaded guilty to a public order offence in relation to the incident when he appeared from custody at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

But Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting, said Witts is also due to be sentenced at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court next week for burgling a property in Station Road, Sandiacre, on February 22, this year.

He said the defendant, of Firs Street, has already pleaded guilty to that charge and a pre-sentence report has been prepared ahead of a sentencing hearing in Derby on the afternoon of August 27.

Therefore, District Judge Sunil Khanna adjourned all matters to be heard in front of District Judge Andrew Meachin next week and remanded him into custody until then.

Previously, Victoria Gray, 42, of High Lane East, West Hallam, has been sentenced for her part in the disorder. After being arrested she shouted a series of racist and homophobic comments and then spat on one of the officers arresting her. The court was told she had also been in possession of pepper spray, which is illegal to carry in a public space.

Gray pleaded guilty to all five charges and was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to attend 15 days of rehabilitation activity. She was also fined £200 for the racially aggravated harassment, an increase from £100 as it was identified as a hate crime.

Another protester, Kevin Musgrave, 37, also of High Lane East, West Hallam, was handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence and 100 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage.

The remaining people charged following the protests in Nottingham are:

Antony Chadwick, 36, of Nuthall Road, Leen Valley, Nottingham – charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986
Ibrahim Omar, 24, of Glapton Road, The Meadows, Nottingham – charged with possession of a Class B drug
Dominic Lane, 46, of Repton Road, Bulwell – charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986
Owen Lawrence, aged 18, of no fixed address. Charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986
Mervin Lewis, aged 40, of Oughton Close, Edwalton. Charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986

In a previous statement following the disturbances, Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: “The vast majority of the public who attended carried out their right to protest in a peaceful manner. Those who were intent on causing problems were dealt with robustly.

“It should be repeated that anyone who comes into the city or our neighbourhoods over the coming days to cause any kind of disorder can expect a robust response from us. It simply won’t be tolerated.”

Nottingham Post