Man pleads guilty to violent disorder

Nine people have been charged so far in connection with the disorder

A man has admitted to causing violent disorder after unrest broke out in Bristol city centre.

Jamie Easterbrook, 43, of Hanover Place in Redcliffe, Bristol, was arrested at his home on Saturday in connection with the incident on 3 August.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of violent disorder at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday, where he was remanded into custody.

He will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 16 August.

In total, 21 people have now been arrested in connection with the disorder in Bristol on 3 August, with nine so far charged with offences.

Hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park.

On Wednesday 7 August protesters gathered for an anti-racism demonstration in Old Market to counter a rumoured anti-immigration rally.

Police said the vast majority of those on West Street had shown "patience and generosity" to officers.

However, one man was arrested after a police vehicle was damaged during the rally.

On Monday, Ardel Shapalang, 40, pleaded not guilty to damaging the vehicle, which belongs to Dorset Police.

He was released on unconditional bail and is due to go on trial at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 11 October.

Tensions have been across England after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

False claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Supt Mark Runacres called the unrest in Bristol "shameful", adding the force would not facilitate "acts of criminality".