FOUR men are due in court next month to face charges in connection with an unlicensed music event in East Horndon on New Year's Eve.

Hundreds of people attended the event at the All Saints Church which was a clear and blatant breach of the Government's Covid-19 regulations.

The church itself was damaged and the officers who responded reported having objects thrown at them.

One man has already accepted a £10,000 fine for being an organiser.

Four other people arrested have now been summonsed to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on 22 July to face a charge of holding or being involved in holding a rave type gathering of more than 30 persons indoors in a Tier 4 area.

They are: John Galsworthy, 40, of Denholme Walk, Rainham; Jay Davis, 35, of Chase Cross Road, Romford; Jonathan Hedges, 33, of Pondfield Lane, Brentwood; Adam Maxy, 28, of High Street, Wickford. Davis is also due to face a charge of perverting the course of justice.

A police statement said: "We also want to thank the public for their support in providing information about the people we had been trying to identify in connection with attending the event.

"We have received information about 33 of the images from which we've been able to progress enquiries.

"This includes 24 names provided and has led to seven fixed penalty notices issued.

"Chief Inspector Ant Alcock, District Commander for Brentwood and Epping Forest, said: "I want to thank the public for their support in trying to identify the people in the images we released.

"The response has shown that our communities wanted us to pursue these individuals and this is one of the key reasons we did so. The recent news surrounding the delay in easing of restrictions reiterates the need for us all to be responsible and play our part in keeping people safe

"We are always grateful for the support you show us."