Animal rights activist who invaded course during the Derby spared jail

06 July 2023 , 13:53

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A protester is dragged off the track during the Epsom Derby (Image: PA)

An Animal Rising activist who ran onto the track at Epsom while the Betfred Derby was under way has been spared jail.

Ben Newman, 32, was seen running onto the racecourse shortly after the field for the Classic had set off at Epsom on June 3. After pleading guilty at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday to causing public nuisance, he was criticised by the judge for “endangering” the lives of police and security guards who managed to drag him off the track just before the horses ran past.

Newman was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and fined a total of £1,356. The protest took place after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted an injunction banning the Animal Rising group, which Newman was a part of, from intervening in the event.

He was produced from custody and appeared in court dressed in a grey sweatshirt. He was one of 31 people arrested on the day of the race, including 12 on the racecourse grounds.

Footage played at court showed Newman running on to the track as police and security guards darted after him before wrestling him to the ground and dragging him to one side. About a minute later, the horses sprinted past, prosecutor Wendy Cottee told the court.

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She said: “The Derby was due to start at 3.30pm. Horses were let out just after that. This defendant then ran across the track. The horses were around a minute away. He was apprehended and taken off the track.

Animal Rising gathering outside Epsom racecourse (Getty)

“The defendant admits that the public were angry with him – several were jeering at him.”

On Wednesday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman held a summit at Downing Street with police and sports bodies including the Lawn Tennis Association, the Premier League and the England and Wales Cricket Board to discuss plans to step up security at summer sporting events.

In April, animal rights activists caused a delay to the start of the Grand National at Aintree, another Jockey Club venue, as they tried to get onto the course.

Jon Lees