Three men charged over attack on gay left-wing journalist Owen Jones
Guardian columnist Owen Jones speaks to a crowd at an anti-Trump protest in London. (Andres Pantoja/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty)
Three men have been charged for assault over the attack on Guardian columnist Owen Jones.
The gay left-wing activist, 35, was attacked outside a pub in Islington, north London, earlier this year.
Today, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the charges of the three men: James Healy, 39, from Portsmouth, Liam Tracey, 34, from Camden in London and Charlie Ambrose, 29, from Brighton.
The three men will appear at Highbury Corner magistrates court on November 6.
They have been charged with actual bodily harm and affray, the police added.
Jones has yet to issue an official response, but did tweet out a Guardian report of the charges, listing out the names of the three men:
The following men have been charged: James Healy, 39, from Portsmouth, Liam Tracey, 34, from Camden in London and Charlie Ambrose, 29, from Brighton.https://t.co/7fDUzAinJs
— Owen Jones? (@OwenJones84) October 10, 2019
What happened to Owen Jones?
At around 2am on August 17, Jones was out celebrating his birthday when he was approached outside The Lexington Public House, an airy lounge bar on Pentonville Road.
Speaking after the incident in August, he alleged that he was the victim of premeditated assault by “far-right thugs” while he was celebrating his birthday with his friends at the watering hole.
He said he was directly targeted in the attack, adding: “They marched over, kicked me in the back, threw me on the floor, and then kicked me in the head.”
A police statement later confirmed the claims, stating in a news release: “The man was assaulted by four male suspects. When the victim’s friends attempted to intervene, they were also assaulted.
Owen Jones. (Andres Pantoja/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“None of those injured required hospital treatment or London Ambulance Service.”
Detective Sergeant Scott Barefoot said previously: “This was a completely senseless attack on a man simply enjoying a night out with friends.
“Although there were no serious injuries, the effects of becoming a victim of such an attack can continue when any injuries have healed.”
Moreover, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said at the time: “I send my solidarity to Owen Jones and his friends… Owen believes it was politically motivated, and we know the far right is on the march in our country.
“An attack on a journalist is an attack on free speech and our fundamental values.”
