An Animal Rising activist has pleaded guilty to causing public nuisance after running on to the track at the Epsom Derby. Ben Newman (32) appeared on Thursday at Guildford Crown Court in Surrey where he pleaded guilty to causing public nuisance.
He was filmed running on to the course as the major race began on June 3rd. Newman, from Homerton High Street, Hackney, east London, was chased by police as the crowd jeered before officers tackled him and pulled him away about a minute before the horses ran past.
The protest happened after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted an injunction banning the Animal Rising group from intervening in the event.
Newman 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.