EIGHT people who were arrested following Saturday's Animal Rebellion protest on Houndmills Road, Basingstoke, have been charged with aggravated trespass.

They have also been charged with watching or besetting a house or place to compel the abstention or doing of a lawful act, an offence under Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

The group, none of whom are from Basingstoke, were removed by police and arrested on Saturday evening (May 22), after around 12 hours of demonstration, blocking access to the Mcdonald's distribution centre.

Demonstrators arrived at 4am, setting up bamboo structures outside both entrances and pledging to remain tied to the top of them for 24 hours.

Five of them people have been released on conditional police bail to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 6.

They have been named as:

  • Jennifer D’Netto, 51, of Rothwell Road, Malvern Wells, Worcestershire
  • Elizabeth Flynn, 32, of no fixed abode
  • Rose Patterson, 31, of no fixed abode
  • Kiera Ilett-Jones, 24, of Albemarle Road, Beckenham, Kent
  • Adam Haigh, 21, of no fixed abode.

Three others have been released on conditional police bail to appear at the same court on Thursday, June 10.

They are:

  • Bethany Croakin, 25 , of no fixed abode
  • Sidney Davies, 21, of Chessel Street, Bristol
  • Jasmine Maslen, 18, of no fixed abode.

Speaking at the time of the arrests, Chief Inspector Matt Reeves said: “Everyone has the right to free speech and protest, however, officers will take necessary action against the few who deliberately choose to act outside the law.”