A further four men have appeared in court to face criminal charges in connection with the December 2 protests outside Parliament.

Dornielle Farrel, Ernest Trott, Antoine Minors and Sherman Hill are all accused of obstructing police officers in the execution of their duty.

Mr Farrel, 27, of Southampton, Mr Trott, 51, of Devonshire, Mr Minors, 34, of Devonshire, and Mr Hill, 58, of Hamilton Parish, denied the charges at Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

All four men were released on bail and will reappear before the court on May 3 for a further hearing.

There was a light police presence as a small group of supporters gathered outside the Dame Lois Browne-Evans building.

Meanwhile, the courtroom was full to capacity with union leaders Jason Hayward and Chris Furbert in attendance as well as the Reverend Nicholas Tweed, of the People’s Campaign, and Progressive Labour Party MP Derrick Burgess.

Yesterday’s appearance of four men at Magistrates’ Court brings the total number of people charged with offences relating to the December 2 protests to 15.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case