Riot police attacker jailed for role in disorder

Christian Ivermee was recognised by police partly by his "distinctive tattoos", the court heard

A man who threw missiles and kicked the riot shields of police officers during violence near Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Christian Ivermee, 31, of Chapel Street, Mexborough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the large-scale disturbance at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

Ivermee was identified after police recognised the "distinctive tattoos" on his face and neck, Sheffield Crown Court was told by the prosecution.

Sentencing him on Friday, Judge Sarah Wright told the court that Ivermee was seen throwing a large piece of a wood at officers and was "enthusiastically involved in projected threats and violence".

Video played to the court showed Ivermee, wearing gloves, approaching the police line and swinging a kick towards an officer who had fallen to the ground.

In a police interview, he told officers he went to see what was happening at the hotel, which at the time housed about 200 asylum seekers.

Ivermee, seen on the left in grey, kicked out at an officer on the front line of the riot

He said he had hoped to leave, but "police had funnelled the crowd into the opposite area to where his car was".

As others involved in the disorder set fire to the grass in front of the hotel, Ivermee shouted at officers and kicked out at them "on at least three occasions", the prosecution said.

His partner, the only person sat in the public gallery, cried throughout the hearing in court.

The judge said she had taken into account references which presented a picture of a caring man who looked after his grandmother, and who had never been in trouble with the law before, despite a difficult upbringing.

"The man they've described is unrecognisable from the footage that I have seen," Judge Wright said.

"You were part of a violent mob, playing your part to the full."

Speaking via his barrister, Ivermee apologised for taking part in the violence.

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