Parish Councillor Charged With Four Offences

Published on: 30 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2017

Police officers talk to James Nicholls just before his arrest at KGV playing fields.

The Effingham parish councillor arrested at the King George V playing fields on Friday, August 25 (2017), has been charged with four offences and released on bail.

The four alleged offences are: as a vehicle driver, failing to provide a specimen for analysis; two counts of using threatening language or behaviour or abusive language; and possession of an offensive weapon.

James Nicholls, who lives close to the playing fields in Effingham, was released on police bail at 10.22pm, August 25, on condition that he does not “…enter the King George V fields …[in] Effingham during the time the Travellers are at the location”.

Nicholls was also ordered to appear at SW Surrey Magistrates Court, in Guildford, at 10am on September 26.

The group of Gypsies and Travellers on KGV playing fields remains encamped but it is understood they intend to depart on Friday (September 1).

Members of the group have said that they will be moving on to a Christian festival in the West Country.