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‘Yellow vest’ leader charged over incident at city centre protest

Goddard 1A pro-Brexit ‘yellow vest’ leader has been charged following an incident at a city centre protest.

The Manchester Evening News has reported that James Goddard has been charged with assault and a public order offence after a protest in Manchester city centre on Saturday.

Mr Goddard, 29, is due to appear before magistrates in Manchester next month after being charged with a single count of assault and one count under the Public Order Act, namely using threatening or abusive words and behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence.

Greater Manchester Police said Mr Goddard, from Altrincham, was released on bail after being charged, and is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 20 March.

A Greater Manchester Police statement reads: “A man has been charged following an assault at a protest in Manchester City Centre.

“James Goddard, 29, of Kelvindale Drive, Altrincham, has been charged with assault and a public order offence.

“He has been bailed to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 20 March 2019.

“This morning police arrested a man aged 29 on suspicion of assault and public order offences, following a protest in Manchester City Centre on Saturday 9 February.”

The public order charge is of using threatening or abusive words and behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence – an offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986.