Man jailed following Brighton counter-protest

Ward pleaded guilty to all three charges

A man has been jailed after assaulting a female police officer and attacking another man at a counter-protest in Brighton.

Ian Ward, 53, of no fixed address, was arrested on 11 August and charged with affray, assault by beating of an emergency worker, and assault by beating.

He pleaded guilty to all three charges and was jailed for 16 months at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday.

Judge Christine Henson said the case "couldn't be viewed in isolation" given the circumstances of unrest across the UK. "Only an immediate custodial sentence" would suffice, she added.

Ian Ward was part of the 1,000-strong counter-demonstration in Brighton

The prosecution said Ward was part of the 1,000-strong counter-demonstration which had been organised in Brighton in response to recent unrest.

The court was told that as Ward approached a line of police officers, he punched one demonstrator in the face and pushed one of the officers.

Ward was one of nine men arrested by Sussex Police in connection with recent protests in the region.

The court was told that Ward had spat at a police officer in 2023.

The charges related to a counter-protest that was held in the city on 7 August

Speaking generally about protests in the region, Chief Constable Jo Shiner said it had been "one of the most testing times" in her career.

She said some officers had been taken from their normal duties and did longer shifts "under pressure" to "keep our community safe".

Other officers also chose to work while on leave and some rest days were cancelled, Ms Shiner added.

She said the force was still on "high alert".