CPS authorises charges following Peterlee park disorder
Chris Atkinson, Senior District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Durham Constabulary to charge eight people in relation to an alleged incident of affray at Eden Lane Park on Saturday 30 August. One suspect has also been charged with inciting racial hatred.
“The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent, and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.
“I would like to remind all concerned that there are active criminal proceedings against all named individuals, and they have the right to a fair trial. There must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information that may in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
All eight individuals will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on 02.09.25. They are:
- Nicholas Churchman [DOB 17/12/88], of Peterlee, is charged with racially aggravated threatening behaviour
- Adele Horner [DOB 07/10/88], of Peterlee, is charged with affray
- Curtis Russell, [DOB 01/01/02], of Darlington, is charged with affray
- Lewis Crow [DOB 08/06/95], of Peterlee, is charged with inciting racial hatred
- Melvyn Foley [DOB 23/03/74], of Peterlee is charged with affray
- Lee Hall [DOB 24/09/81], of Durham is charged with affray
- A 16-year-old-boy of Peterlee is charged with affray
- Leighton Lee [DOB 09/06/02], of Peterlee is charged with affray.
All defendants will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court today, 02 September 2025, at 10am.