A man accused of assaulting Sir Chris Whitty has been put on an electronic tag to ensure he is abiding by his bail conditions.
Jonathan Chew (24 years old) is accused of attacking the Chief Medical Officer as well as obstructing an officer at the antivaxx march that he and Lewis Hughes attended on June 27, last year.
They allegedly saw the revered medic and grabbed him by the shoulders.
This video shared by many on social media was of the couple.
Today’s second hearing for Mr Chew was postponed because of the delay in which his lawyers received paperwork ten minutes prior to the hearing. It was determined that this would hinder him from having an impartial trial.
Today’s hearing was held at Westminster Magistrates Court. Paul Goldspring, the magistrate, told Mr Chew that he had concerns about whether he actually lived at Brentwood, Essex. This is due to difficulties in establishing his location at previous hearings.
Jonathan Chew, 24 years old, is being accused of assaulting Professor Chris Whitty in England at Westminster Magistrates Court.
Taken from footage that shows Professor Chris Whitty (England’s Chief Medical Officer) being harassed in a Park
Chew maintained that he hadn’t been provided with papers and video evidence of body movement which the police claimed they had given to his home.
He will be monitored electronically between 9pm to 4am, until the trial of January 27,
He was told by Mr Goldspring: “You might have realized that I am reluctant to adjourn my case.
You have the right to a fair trial, and sometimes it may be difficult for you to get justice.
I have concerns that the police may have about you not being at your address. Your electronic tag will be placed on you between 9pm – 4am.
After an earlier hearing, Mr Chew is seen outside Westminster Magistrates Court.
Rabah Kherbane was Rabah Chew’s former lawyer. He claimed that Mr Chew may not be able to comprehend and follow procedures because of his learning disability. But the chief magistrate rejected this claim.
The judge stated that Mr Chew showed an ‘exceptional’ ability to understand complex legal issues at previous hearings.
Chew was criticized for his behavior when he attended court via videolink in his gown.
He sat in blue jeans and grey shirt, with a mask, outside dock today. Mr Chew kept interrupting proceedings, saying Prosecution evidence was “all a lie man”.
When Mr Chew was asked for his number, he said “naaah” and was told that he’d have to go if his behavior didn’t improve.
Sam Trefgarne, the prosecutor for Mr Chew, told the court today that the case could proceed because it was ‘evidentially very straight forward’. The video was also captured. But his plea was eventually rejected.