Man charged over identity concealment at protest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

A 76-year-old man appeared in court wearing a burka while denying he used it to hide his identity at a Portsmouth anti-migrant protest.

Timothy Miller, 76, from Hedge End, Southampton, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court wearing a burka and carrying a black handbag. He is charged under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 with concealing his identity at an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth on 12 September.

When District Judge Stephen Apted asked Miller to remove his face covering for identification purposes, the defendant lifted the veil and confirmed his name, date of birth and address. Miller entered a not guilty plea. The News, Portsmouth reports that he claimed he had a religious exemption to wear the garment.

Miller told the court: 'As I am in every police camera, I am not guilty.' He was not legally represented and had previously lived in Morocco, with travel history to Bahrain and Dubai. The judge adjourned the case for trial on 16 February and released Miller on unconditional bail.

How it is being reported

• Man wears burka in court to deny using religious dress to conceal identity at Portsmouth protestTimothy Miller, 76, claimed he had a religious exemption to wear the garmentThe News, Portsmouth · 14 Oct, 16:17
• Defendant wears burka in court as he denies concealing identity at protestTimothy Miller, 76, denies using a burka to hide his identity at a Portsmouth anti-migrant protest; trial at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court set for February 16Southern Daily Echo · 14 Oct, 16:05

In this story: Timothy Miller · Portsmouth Magistrates' Court · Southampton · Portsmouth

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