Man jailed over violent asylum hotel protest

Perrie Fisher took part in a protest which was designed to terrify vulnerable people, the judge said

A man has been jailed for two years and five months for taking part in a violent protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

About 200 protesters shouted abuse and caused damage to the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 31 July, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Perrie Fisher, 29, of Hillside Road in Farnham, Surrey, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and failing to surrender to bail by going on holiday to Dubai after his arrest.

Judge Nigel Lickley KC said the rally was "designed to cause fear in the minds of vulnerable people".

About 200 protesters gathered at the hotel

Tim Devlin, prosecuting, said the incident was among several "large-scale riots" across the country, following the spread of "misinformation" in the days after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport.

He said: "Protesters entered the hotel car park, kicking footballs at windows and attempting to force windows open."

They shouted slogans including "illegals out", "we want our country back" and "get 'em gone", he said.

"They forced a bike shed and removed bikes which had been donated to the hotel," the barrister told the court.

Police were called to the protest in Aldershot on 31 July

In police body-worn camera footage shown in court, the defendant was seen carrying an England flag and throwing a bicycle and a scooter, Mr Devlin said.

Other protesters damaged a wall, reached through hotel windows to rip blinds, and set off flares, the court heard.

A police officer was slightly injured as protesters resisted her attempt to shut a gate, the prosecutor said.

The hotel, housing 85 migrant families, suffered nearly £2,000 worth of damage, he added.

However, Alexandra Scott, defending, said Fisher, whose son is less than one year old, was "generous and caring... with good ethics".

The hotel suffered nearly £2,000 worth of damage, the court heard

The judge said the protest was "fuelled by race".

He said: "All of the actions were accompanied by foul, abusive and racist chanting.

"The sole purpose was to intimidate, terrify and frighten the occupants of the building."

He said Fisher was remorseful but had shown a "cavalier attitude" by going on holiday instead of attending a previous court hearing.

Seven other defendants have been charged with violent disorder at the protest.

Six men are due in court on 4 September, while a 13-year-old Aldershot girl who has admitted the offence is due to be sentenced later that month.