A 40-year-old man has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker following a protest in Southampton.

Ryan Wheatley, 40, of Malvern Close, Fair Oak, will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court later to face the charge which relates to the demonstration held on Wednesday evening.

Two others – one a man aged 18 and from Eastleigh who was arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause criminal damage in Southampton and the other aged 17 who was arrested on suspicion of wilfully disrupting the highway in Portsmouth – have been bailed pending further inquiries.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: “Officers investigating arrests made on Wednesday night have now charged a man, who will appear at court this morning.

“Ryan Wheatley, 40, of Malvern Close, Fair Oak, has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker.

“He will appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court this morning (August 9).

“The two others arrested have been bailed while our enquiries continue.”