A journalist arrested for obstruction while photographing police is to face trial in Nottingham.
Freelance Alan Lodge appeared before Nottingham Magistrates
today for a pre-trial review.
The court heard that Lodge was taking pictures of a police armed
response unit in Alfred Street, Nottingham, on Saturday, 18 March, when
he was arrested.
The defence is likely to argue that guidelines agreed between the NUJ
and Notts Police clearly state that police have no right to arrest
someone for taking photographs.
Lodge, whose defence is being paid for by the NUJ, has only just had
his camera returned and police have continued to hold on to his memory
card.
Related
The trial is due to take place at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 17 October.
Lodge is pictured (centre) with two NUJ supporters.
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