FOUR people will stand trial next year in relation to the violence which occurred at an illegal rave in March.

The group is accused of being involved in the attacks on police officers who went to stop the event, which took place at the River Ray industrial estate.

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 formerly pleaded not guilty to a public order offence at Swindon Crown Court.

As a result, a full hearing will take place in front of a jury next March, which is expected to last up to two weeks. The four will remain on bail until the hearing.

A fifth person, Jack Dady, 21, of Dunstable, has also been charged with offences but since he failed to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court last month a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The rave saw several hundred revellers descend on Swindon on the evening of March 1 before everyone moved on to an empty warehouse on the estate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

When it became clear where they were police formed a cordon to try and prevent many from entering which is when the first round of trouble flared.

Speaking at the group’s first appearance in court, Nick Barr, speaking on behalf of the prosecution, 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.

Music was blaring from the venue until gone 9am on the Sunday with many of the revellers remaining inside. Police say attempts to clear them were met with violence.

At its height, officers from three police forces were involved in trying to stop the disturbance along with dog units and a police helicopter.

One of the revellers, many had travelled across the country to attend the event, had to be treated by paramedics after he was bitten by a dog.

Police chiefs afterwards expressed their shock at the level of violence shown towards officers, four of whom suffered injuries.

One was hit on the head with a brick while another was also hit with a missile and had to be taken to the Great Western Hospital to be treated for concussion. Two more were treated at the scene by paramedics.

The case will start at Swindon Crown Court on March 16 next year.