Woman tried to break into Canary Wharf migrant hotel, court told

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Police have had a presence at the Britannia Hotel due to protests against housing migrants

A woman tried to force her way into a hotel housing migrants after one of its residents walked into her blind mother's flat, a court has heard.

Channay Augustus, 22, was part of a group of around 20 people who tried to barge into the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, east London, on Wednesday evening, it is alleged.

At Thames Magistrates' Court on Friday, her lawyer indicated she would deny possession of an offensive weapon, affray, assault on an emergency worker and common assault.

The migrant who entered the flat, who is in his early 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of assault, the Metropolitan Police said.

The trouble started when she discovered a migrant inside her mother's flat, a five-minute walk away from the hotel, the court heard.

After chasing the man away, she went to the hotel at around 18:00 BST where she confronted a security guard who was trying her calm her down.

The hearing was told she returned a short time later with a meat cleaver and started banging it on a metal barrier outside the hotel. She was later arrested at her home.

Ms Augustus, of Tower Hamlets, was remanded into custody to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 12 September.

The hotel has been the focus of protests in recent weeks.

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