A woman has denied two charges of fraud in relation to funds raised for a protest linked to a statue of the slave trader Edward Colston being thrown into Bristol harbour.
Xahra Saleem, 22, appeared at Bristol magistrates’ court today facing two charges of fraud by abuse of position.
They relate to online fundraising pages, linked to the demonstration, that allegedly raised tens of thousands of pounds. Saleem is accused of using money raised for herself. She spoke only to confirm her name, address, date of birth and to plead not guilty to both charges.
District Judge Lynne Matthews told the defendant that the case would have to be dealt with at Bristol crown court because of its seriousness.
The statue of Colston, a merchant and slave trader, was toppled on June 7, 2020, and thrown into Bristol harbour, attracting attention around the world. One protester placed his knee on the statue’s neck, in a reference to the murder of George Floyd, a black truck driver, whose death at the hands of a white police officer in America two weeks earlier led to widespread Black Lives Matter protests.
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Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford, Jake Skuse and Sage Willoughby, who became known as the Colston Four, were later cleared of criminal damage connected to the incident.
Saleem, of Romford, east London, is said to have been associated with a group called All Black Lives Bristol. She was allegedly involved in crowdfunding pages linked to the demonstration.
The first charge alleges that Saleem committed fraud “while occupying a position, namely organiser, in which you were expected to safeguard or not act against the financial interests of ABL Bristol”. The charge adds: “You dishonestly abused that position intending to make a gain, namely used the funds raised for yourself.”
Saleem was “expected to safeguard or not act against the financial interests of” a Bristol community organisation called Changing your Mindset, the second charge says. However, she dishonestly abused the position of director, “intending to make a gain, namely used the funds raised for yourself”, the charge adds.
Both alleged offences are under the Fraud Act 2006. Saleem was granted bail and is to appear at Bristol crown court on January 30.
