Man who threw bottles at police jailed for three years

A total of 41 people have now been arrested as part of the investigation

A man who threw glass bottles and cans at police officers during a protest has been jailed for three years.

John Matthews, 30, of Knowle, was part of a group which used or threatened violence and caused others to fear for their safety during the unrest in Bristol city centre on 3 August.

The judge at Bristol Crown Court said Matthews was part of a "violent mob" which had been spurred on by false information following events in Southport.

He is the 10th person to be jailed for their involvement in the violent disorder, with a total of 41 people arrested so far and 28 having been charged.

'Shameful scenes'

A number of demonstrations took place across England after high tensions over the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

The protests turned volatile after false claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker, who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Matthews was caught on CCTV footage throwing punches and trying to break the police line.

Det Ch Insp Clement Goodwin called Matthew's behaviour on that day "completely disgraceful".

"He showed an utter disregard for the safety of members of the public and police officers and I'm pleased that he has now received a lengthy prison sentence," said Mr Goodwin. "

Attended in 'support of the NHS'

Rachel Stitt, defending Matthews, said the defendant suffered from ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder and had been the victim of stabbings several times.

She said he had described his decision to attend as "stupid" and that "he intended to peacefully protest in support of the NHS and the help they gave his grandmother".

She told the court that things "escalated" once her client had been hit with CS gas, which "exacerbated his underlying mental health conditions" and led to his losing "his temper".

'Public entitled to a break from you'

Handing down his sentence Judge Patrick said "it is difficult to see how anybody could be in Bristol on a Saturday evening protesting in support of the National Health Service."

He added: "This was persistent lawlessness and much of it in the name of patriotism."

He said Matthews had a "bad record of offending", telling him: "I have regard to prison overcrowding but very simply put the public are entitled to a break from you and your criminal behaviour and that’s what the public are going to get.”

Det Ch Insp Clement Goodwin added: "We are continuing to investigate the shameful scenes we saw on that day and we will continue to make more arrests and charge those responsible to ensure they face justice."

On Thursday, another three men were charged with violent disorder for their role in the unrest.

Tom Thompson-Arnold, 30, of Clevedon, Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze, and Mohamed Osman, 37, of Easton, were all due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court, charged with violent disorder.

Police are still searching for a number of people involved in the incident, and have released new images of people they want to talk to.