Alexander Peat in court over incident in Whitehall last year
Nick Watt (left) being chased by anti-lockdown protestors. Picture: Resistance GB/YouTube
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A man from Putney accused of being part of a mob that terrorised BBC reporter Nick Watt has appeared in court this week.
34-year-old Alexander Peat of Felsham Road is denying a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to use harassment, alarm or distress along with four other defendants.
The case is being heard at Westminster Magistrates Court and relates to an incident in Whitehall in June 2021 in which the BBC Newsnight editor had to flee while being chased and abused by anti-lockdown protestors who were calling him a traitor and accusing him of being part of the 'mainstream media.
The other accused are Djazia Chaib-Eddour, 44, Christopher Aitken, 62, Martin Hockridge, 58, and Gary Purnell, 45. The prosecution has accused the five of engaging in mob rule and deliberately trying to intimidate Mr Watt persisting in following him even when it was evident he had become uncomfortable with the situation.
Mr Watt told the court that the experience, in which protestors shouted directly into his face until he was forced to flee, left him very shaken.
He added, 'I had become their prey, their quarry. It was like hunting a vulnerable animal.'
District Judge Louisa Cieciora has reserved her decision to a date to be decided. In the meantime, the defendants including Mr Peat were bailed and told they must return to court for the next hearing.
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July 1, 2022
