Man jailed for assaulting police officer during protest

Jason Francis was jailed for two years

A man has been jailed for two years after admitting assaulting a police officer at a protest in Weymouth.

Jason Francis, 38, of Meadow View Road in Weymouth, was involved in an anti-immigration protest which led to violent disorder on 4 August.

Dorset Police said he was seen moving towards a police line pushing and kicking out at officers - before punching one officer in the face.

He was jailed for two years after pleading guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.

Dorset Police arrested Jason Francis on Thursday following protests in Weymouth

Following reviews of CCTV footage and video posted to social media, Francis was identified and arrested by officers at his home address on Meadow View Road on Thursday.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “Our officers attended the protests with only one thing in mind – to keep members of the public safe – and it was totally unacceptable for one of them to be assaulted in this way in the line of duty.

“We will continue to facilitate peaceful protests, but if people are intent on committing public disorder or criminal offences, they will be dealt with robustly as such behaviours will not be tolerated.”

An estimated 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered in Weymouth on 4 August. There were also about 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators.

There have been outbreaks of violence in towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland, including Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.

It followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.