FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to public order offences following an illegal rave which descended into violence in Swindon earlier this year.

The incident took place in an empty warehouse on the River Ray Industrial Estate during the early hours of March 1.

William Gemmell, 34, of Wisbech, in Cambridgeshire; Samuel Kelsey, 19, of Kettering; Rosie Nightingale, 21, of Norwich; and Aiden Talbot, 23, of Eye in Suffolk, all denied a charge of violent disorder when they appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

As a result, all four will now appear at Swindon Crown Court next month for a full trial.

More than 100 people from across the country attended the rave, which quickly became violent when police tried to close it down.

Prosecutor Nick Barr said: “There was an illegal rave in Swindon which saw many people attend. The police formed a cordon to control the situation.

"It did not sit well with the revellers who confronted the officers.

“The four here today were not the only people involved in the violence which ensued. Bricks were thrown and an officer was hit over the head with a chair.”

Officers from Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset and Thames Valley forces were called to deal with the situation, which saw a number of officers sustain injuries.

Music finally stopped playing at 9am when the police were finally able to disperse the crowds, many of whom had driven down to the area and only found out about the exact location of the rave at the last minute.

The authorities were first alerted to the rave when around 15 cars gathered at the industrial estate.

A few hours later up to 200 people were trying to gain access to the warehouse and there was loud music playing. A number were denied access by a police cordon.

Police in riot gear were used to deal with the disorder as well as police dogs. One of the revellers was treated by paramedics after being bitten by a dog.

After the event, police chiefs expressed their shock at the level of violence they faced.

Kelsey and Talbot yesterday pleaded guilty to possessing amphetamines on March 1 and were fined £290 each.

Jack Dady, 21, of Dunstable was also due to attend court but did not appear. A warrant was issued for his arrest.