Boy, 17, charged with assault after man pushed into east London canal

A man was pushed into an east London canal after trying to stop young people from 'kicking at fighting swans'

A teenage boy has been charged with assault and drug possession after a man was pushed into a canal in east London.

Scotland Yard said they have charged the 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, following the incident in Limehouse Basin on Friday, June 26.

It comes after shocking video, which was widely circulated on social media, showed a man being shoved into the water as he appeared to confront a group of youngsters.

It was said that he had approached the group because he thought one of them was trying to kick a pair of swans.

The east London canal. A man was pushed into the water on June 26 (PA)

The teenager from Tower Hamlets has been been charged for assault and possession of cannabis, the Met Police said.

He was bailed to attend Thames Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 1.

A Met Police spokesman said: "A 17-year-old from Tower Hamlets has been charged with common assault and possession of cannabis.

"He was bailed to attend Thames Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 1 September.

"This follows an incident where a man was pushed into a canal in E14 on Friday, 26 June."