James Goddard: ‘Yellow vest’ protester calls journalists ‘scumbags’ at court hearing for allegedly assaulting photographer

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A “yellow vest” campaigner has denied assaulting a news photographer during a pro-Brexit protest – and dubbed the press “scumbag journalists”.

James Goddard, 29, also denied a public order offence of “using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour”.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Goddard threatened Manchester Evening News photographer Joel Goodman, who filmed the incident in February.

After arriving at court with a group of supporters and two men wearing T-shirts saying “security”, Mr Goddard demanded members of the press were removed and called a journalist he misidentified a “far leftist”.

“I want my family and friends in and I want the press out,” Mr Goddard said. “I don’t want scumbag journalists in here.”

A police officer told Mr Goddard only five seats had been allocated for his supporters in the public gallery.

Two court security officers sat with the police officer behind solicitors in the courtroom.

Representing himself, Mr Goddard gave his nationality as English and confirmed his name but refused to state his address.

When asked to enter pleas, he told the court: “Not guilty because there is no case to answer.”

Laura Keegan, prosecuting, told the court the Crown would rely on the evidence of the complainant and two clips from his bodycam footage.

She told the judge Mr Goodman received no injuries in the incident.

District Judge John Temperley released Mr Goddard on bail under conditions that ban him from contacting the alleged victim.

Mr Goddard said he wished to challenge additional restrictions on entering Manchester city centre, claiming it was preventing him from seeking employment and that he was being treated “worse than a rapist or a terrorist”.

He told the judge: “I want to contribute to society instead of being demonised by the state.”

Judge Temperley also set a bail condition barring Mr Goodman from attending any organised demonstration in Manchester city centre.

The defendant, of Altrincham, will return for a trial at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in June.

The hearing came a day after chaotic scenes at a London court where Mr Goddard appeared on unrelated charges over abuse directed at MP Anna Soubry and a police officer.

Some of Mr Goddard’s supporters joined him in the dock as fellow protesters shouted abuse at journalists and court officials from the public gallery, prompting the judge to walk out.

HM Courts Service said it had mounted an “urgent investigation” into the incident at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Mr Goddard denied all offences.

Additional reporting by PA