Three men sentenced for violent disorder

Dominic Capaldi pleaded guilty to violent disorder

Three men have been sentenced for violent disorder in relation to clashes between protesters and police in Bristol.

Dominic Capaldi, 34, from Bristol, has been sentenced to 34 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Bristol Crown Court was told that video footage had shown Capaldi throwing items at police officers during the unrest in the city centre on 3 August.

At the same court, Daniel Russell, 47, from Bristol, was jailed for 32 months, and Mark Bowen, 40, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 25 months, after both admitted violent disorder.

'Violence and threats'

Judge Martin Picton said Capaldi attended an extremist anti-immigration protest that started at Castle Park and ended up in front of the Mercure Hotel "because it houses asylum seekers".

"You have accepted throwing a coin but claim to have no memory of the other items that you launched towards the police," Judge Picton said.

"Whilst our law properly protects the right of peaceful protest, and does not seek to criminalise the holding of views even where those may be abhorrent to the vast majority of the community, what it does not and will not tolerate is resort to violence and threats."

Defending Capaldi, John Stokes told the court: “It is very sadly a case of ‘hindsight is a wonderful thing’, he recognises now with retrospect the foolishness of his actions on that day.”

Mr Stokes said Capaldi’s child was turning seven on the day of his sentencing, with the consequences of his client’s offending having a “significant” impact on his family.

Judge Picton gave Capaldi credit for his early guilty plea and said he would serve half of his 34-month sentence in custody, and remain on licence and liable for recall for the remainder.

During sentencing, the judge referred to the unrest across the country after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

"The unrest has been fuelled by disinformation that has been circulating particularly on social media. Right-wing extremists and racists have been intent on provoking violence directed at innocent members of our community and the police whose role it is to protect them," added Judge Picton.

"The disorder has been serious and widespread. In particular refugees and asylum seekers have been targeted, as have some of the premises where they are housed whilst being processed by the Home Office."

Daniel Russell has been jailed for 32 months

Russell was seen kicking a black man who may have been part of an anti-racism protest, after the man broke through police lines separating the two groups in Castle Park.

He was then captured on footage posted on social media kicking out at counter-protesters who were stood in front of the entrance to the Mercure Hotel.

Representing Russell, Mark Linehan told the court: "Mr Russell is profoundly ashamed of his actions on that day.

"He apologises to those that had to witness it, those that had to experience it in uniform and to the community at large."

Mr Linehan added his client had learning difficulties and sustained a head injury as a child after being accidentally shot in the head by a pellet gun.

Judge Macmillan told Russell: "As a result of the activities that were taking place at this time, your neighbours in this city were frightened to leave their homes.

"These people are still frightened to do so and frightened for the safety of themselves and their children. You decided to take part in a violent protest against immigration."

Mark Bowen was given a 25-month sentence

Police bodycam footage captured Bowen telling officers "I hope it’s your kids next”.

It showed Bowen in a crowd of people who were shouting “we want our country back” and behaving aggressively to officers, who were being pelted with objects.

Robert Yates, prosecuting, told the court how the group then moved to the Mercure Hotel.

He said “two or three” officers on bicycles were trying to keep the anti-immigration protesters from reaching counter protesters, who were stood outside the hotel.

“They had become... overwhelmed,” Mr Yates said. “The defendant was at the forefront of that.”

Representing Bowen, Giles Nelson said his client had been homeless for seven years and does not have social media.

Referring to the comments made to police, Mr Nelson said: “He is mortified by that. He is deeply disgusted with himself.”

Bowen told police he believed he had been attending a football celebration, but Judge Macmillan said she did not accept this was true.

Sentencing Bowen, the judge said police dogs and horses were attacked during the rally, with police officers also assaulted.

“You were swearing and you were being highly abusive to the police,” she told Bowen.

“It was a despicable thing for you to say. You became part of the angry mob.”

She told Bowen: “Your claim to the police that you didn’t intend anyone to be intimidated by your behaviour is pretty hollow and unconvincing.”

'Send a clear message'

Avon and Somerset Police Deputy Chief Constable, Jon Reilly, said: "Anyone who causes unrest on our streets will be arrested, charged and put before the courts and suffer the consequences for their actions.

"The judge described those involved in the disorder as right-wing extremists and racists. These abhorrent people will not win. They will not divide this city – a city rich with diversity."

Vicky Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS South West, said: “Prosecuting cases as swiftly as this does not mean taking shortcuts or compromising quality. We are working with the police to build strong, high-quality cases that enable our prosecutors to make the right charging decision at the earliest possible opportunity.

“I hope that this swift response sends a clear message – both to the perpetrators of this shocking violence and to the communities affected by it – that this criminality will not be tolerated and that those who bring fear and violence to our streets will not escape justice.”