Counter-protester jailed for 'ferocious' attack

Amjad Ali, 19, was part of a group who had a "paramilitary-style appearance", a court heard

A man who aimed a "ferocious" kick at a person's head during a protest has been sentenced to 14 months' detention.

Amjad Ali, 19, was dressed in black and wore a balaclava when he also punched a man in Northampton on Wednesday.

It came as about 150 people gathered in the town as part of a protest described by police as peaceful.

Ali, who was part of a counter-protesting group, admitted affray and was sentenced on Monday.

Judge Adrienne Lucking KC told Northampton Crown Court the defendant had been seen involved in disorder with men of "paramilitary-style appearance".

Windows were boarded up in Northampton town centre in anticipation of the anti-immigration protest

He punched an unknown man in the face and aimed a "ferocious" kick at another victim's head at about 19:00 BST that day, the court heard.

The hearing was told Ali, of Alcombe Road, Northampton, had previously been convicted for possession of ammonia in a public place and dealing heroin and crack cocaine. The judge ordered Ali to consecutively serve a year of a suspended sentence imposed for those previous offences.

Ali's barrister said his latest crime had been a "moment of madness", but the judge said the offending warranted "immediate and substantial punishment".

"Your offending must be seen in the context of the widespread and extensively reported scenes of disorder, violence and criminal damage which has taken place around the country," Ms Lucking said.