Man jailed over homophobic abuse of police at rally

Daniel Baldock, 37, was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison

A man who yelled homophobic abuse at police during a protest has become the first person in Kent to be jailed following a spate of protests and disorder, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Daniel Baldock, 37, of Ordnance Street, Chatham, was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, following a protest in the town.

He pleaded guilty at Margate Magistrates' Court on Friday and was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Kris Venkatasami from CPS South East said: "The substantial sentence handed out today shows how seriously the criminal justice system is taking all crimes related to disorder."

The CPS said at Wednesday's rally Baldock was asked by police to disperse, but he resisted those requests before yelling homophobic abuse at officers on "several" occasions.

The defence claimed he was not aware there would be protests in the area.

However, the court said he knew “damn well” they were happening, and even if he did not plan on being part of them, he still attended.

Mr Venkatasami said: "Anyone involved in such activity needs to understand that there are consequences to their behaviour.

"The CPS will continue to work with the police and courts to bring those involved to justice.”

Separately, a man arrested in Chatham on suspicion of shouting racial abuse and another arrested in Dover on suspicion of assault and criminal damage have both been released on bail pending further enquiries, Kent Police said.