Del Leon Somerville Charged After Anti-Migrant Demonstration in Knowsley

Del Leon Somerville, 42, has appeared in court following a protest outside a Knowsley hotel housing asylum seekers. Mr Somerville faces charges of assaulting an emergency worker and wilfully obstructing a public highway. The charges relate to events on Friday, when a demonstration occurred outside the Suites Hotel on Ribblers Lane.

During the incident, it is alleged Mr Somerville threw a bottle and subsequently kicked a police officer. Merseyside Police confirmed that seventeen individuals were arrested in connection with the unrest, which saw protestors clashing with counter-protestors.

Reports indicate that during the demonstration, a police van was set alight, and missiles, including fireworks, were thrown. Merseyside Police stated that one of their officers and two members of the public sustained minor injuries. Mr Somerville was remanded in custody after a hearing at Wirral Magistrates' Court and is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 27 March.