BBC journalist Nick Watt said during court proceedings on June 14, 2022, that he was "very scared" and felt like "prey" as he was ambushed by anti-lockdown protesters last June.

Watt added that he had been "like an express train" and "had become their prey, their quarry. It was like hunting a vulnerable animal".

The prosecution told the court a "frenzied incident was whipped up in joint fervour", and the five defendants "engaged in mob rule".

The court also heard how the incident had a long-lasting impact on Mr Watt's mental wellbeing.

During his evidence, two people were removed from the public gallery for laughing.

Christopher Aitken, 62, of Lambeth, Martin Hockridge, 58, of Harpenden, Djazia Chaib-Eddour, 44, of Islington, Alexander Peat, 34, of Wandsworth, and Gary Purnell, 45, of Shepherd's Bush all deny using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Watt (seen running in blue shirt and mask at the beginning of this clip) left Downing Street this evening after the coronavirus briefing, and was chased by angry anti-lockdown protesters on June 15, 2021.

He sprinted away from them and went back into the safety of Downing Street.

Watt is political editor of BBC2’s nightly news programme, Newsnight.

BBC journalist Nick Watt (seen running in blue shirt and mask at the beginning of this clip) left Downing Street this evening after the coronavirus briefing, and was chased by angry anti-lockdown protesters.

He sprinted away from them and went back into the safety of Downing Street.

Watt is political editor of BBC2’s nightly news programme, Newsnight.