Man who vowed to kill migrants jailed for two years

Cameron Bowling opened a gate allowing protesters to get close to the hotel

A man who vowed to murder immigrants and "smash up" mosques has been jailed for taking part in a violent protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Cameron Bowling, 41, of Farnborough, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on 31 July.

He banged on a window, swore at people inside and made violent threats, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Jailing him for two years, Judge Rufus Taylor said Bowling's actions were motivated by racist hostility.

Protesters carried signs highlighting immigration issues

More than 200 protesters gathered at the hotel, as part of the rioting that swept across England in the days after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, the court heard.

Judge Taylor said a small group entered the car park, kicked footballs against windows, damaged blinds and a perimeter wall, set off flares and threw bicycles into a skip.

He said they shouted slogans including "we want our country back" and "get 'em gone", the court heard.

The judge said Bowling played a significant role in the disturbance, which left hotel residents "petrified".

In videos played in court, the defendant told police officers on the scene he would like to "murder" immigrants and "smash up mosques", adding: "There's not enough of you to stop that."

A perimeter wall was damaged by protesters

Asked by an officer what he thought he was achieving by banging on the window, Bowling replied: "I'm letting them know they're not [expletive] welcome."

The defendant opened a gate which let protesters into the hotel car park, the court heard.

Neil Fitzgibbon, defending, said Bowling had a successful flooring business and had a "huge amount to lose" from an extended prison term.

Friends described him as "compassionate" and "hard-working" in letters of support, the court heard.

Four other people, including a 13-year-old girl, have pleaded guilty to charges over the incident and will be sentenced at a later date.

Another defendant is due to stand trial in April 2025.