Three in court after alleged pigs' heads hate crimes

PA Media Exterior view of Barkingside Magistrates Court with orange railings, a concrete ramp and grey and white signPA Media
The hearing comes after the Met received reports of pigs' heads being left in Rainham last month

Three people have appeared in court after pigs' heads were allegedly left outside schools and a youth centre in east London.

The Metropolitan Police said it was called to reports of the incidents, which the force described as hate-related, in Rainham on 26 July.

Harvey Wells, 20, Josh Campbell, 33, Jazmin Jones, 30, and James Desbois, 29 - all from Brentwood, Essex - were charged with racially aggravated criminal damage.

Mr Desbois did not attend the hearing in person at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Friday, and was bailed until a further hearing on 13 August.

Graffiti was also allegedly sprayed during the incidents outside schools in Lambs Lane South and Upminster Road South, and at a youth centre in Viking Way, Rainham.

No plea was entered for any of the defendants at the hearing.

Mr Wells, Mr Campbell and Ms Jones were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 4 September.

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