The founder of an activist group which has been putting Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags on lampposts has been charged with a string of offences including racially aggravated harassment, threatening behaviour and assault.
Ryan Bridge, 45, of Blackwell, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has been erecting flags in the Midlands and the south of England since last summer as part of Raise the Colours.
Thames Valley Police said Bridge had been charged with 14 offences from a two-month period in Oxfordshire earlier this year.
He is due to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 3 November.
The offences are:
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Seven counts of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress
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Three counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence
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Two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress
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One count of racially aggravated fear of violence
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One count of common assault
In July, Oxfordshire County Council was granted a High Court injunction to stop people placing flags near highways because of safety concerns, trespass and obstruction.
Birmingham City Council has applied for a similar injunction which will be heard at the High Court on Tuesday.