Woman bailed in Christmas switch-on case (From Oxford Mail)

Woman bailed in Christmas switch-on case

9:30am Friday 15th February 2013 in News

A WOMAN arrested during David Cameron’s Christmas lights switch-on in Witney has appeared in court.

Bethan Tichborne, 28, of Campbell Road, in Cowley, Oxford, denies charges of obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty and of using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She was charged following an incident which happened on November 30 at about 7pm in Witney Town centre as the Prime Minister was on stage turning on the festive lights.

Tichborne, who is an Oxford University graduate, appeared in Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday for a case management hearing.

Another pre-trial hearing will be held at 2pm at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on March 7 but the defendant was told she did not need to attend.

Tichborne was granted bail until her trial at Oxford Magistrates’ court on March 14.

Following the switch-on, Mr Cameron, who is Witney’s constituency MP, posted a picture of himself and Father Christmas lighting up the town.

Alongside was posted the message: “Good to see so many people at the turning on of the Christmas lights in my constituency tonight”.