Two Local Men Convicted of Harassing BBC Journalist
Alexander Peat and Joseph Olswang verbally abused Nick Watt
Nick Watt (left) being chased by anti-lockdown protestors. Picture: Resistance GB/YouTube
Two local men have been convicted of a public order offence after they verbally abused Nick Watt in Whitehall last year.
35-year-old Alexander Peat and 40-year-old Joseph Olswang were among a mob of people who chased and swore at the BBC journalist accusing him of being a traitor and being part of the ‘mainstream media’. They were part of an anti-lockdown protest on 14 June last year in which most of those present disputed the official explanation for the need for vaccines and a lockdown claiming they were part of a broader government conspiracy.
Olswang, who attended Latymer School and owns a children’s clothes brand and promotes music to radio stations, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing but Peat, along with four other accused, had contested the charges at a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court from 29 June to 1 July. The others convicted were 45-year-old Gary Purnell, 58-year-old Martin Hockridge, 63-year-old Christopher Allen and 44-year-old Djazia Chaib-Eddour.
Mr Watt had given evidence of how he felt like a 'vulnerable animal' being hunted by a pack as he was chased through the streets.
The six were identified by Detectives from the Met's Public Order unit which had ample footage which had been posted online of the incident. They will all be sentenced on Tuesday, 30 August.
Detective Constable James Harold, the officer investigating, said, "A video of this incident prompted a huge amount of online comment and public concern. The behaviour shown by these people was unacceptable.
"Members of the public, of any profession, have the right to go about their day without being subjected to verbal harassment or actions that put them in fear for their safety."
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August 2, 2022