Colston 4: Trial adjourned until January

Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby, Jake Skuse and Rhian Graham, collectively known as the ‘Colston 4’, pose for a photograph outside Bristol Crown Court where they are being tried in connection with the toppling of a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston. | AFP via Getty Images

The group, known as the ‘Colston 4’, all deny charges of criminal damage

Four people charged with criminal damage after the toppling of the statue of 17th Century slaver Edward Colston have had their trial adjourned until the New Year.

The defendants allegedly damaged the statue in June 2020 - three by helping to topple it and one by helping to roll it into Bristol harbour.

The group, known as the ‘Colston 4’, have all denied the charges.

They are Rhian Graham, 30, of Colston Road, Easton in Bristol,Milo Ponsford, 26, of Otter Close in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, Jake Skuse, 37, of Farley Close in Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire and Sage Willoughby, 22, of Gloucester Road in Bristol.

Judge Peter Blair QC had his started summing up of the case before adjourning proceedings until January 4.