Three jailed for violent disorder in Plymouth

Grant Braidwood, Andrew Ball and Kerry Gove were jailed for violent disorder

Two men and a woman have been jailed for causing violent disorder in Plymouth city centre.

Andrew Ball, 49, of Lisson Grove, Plymouth, and Grant Braidwood, 40, of Elliott Road, Plymouth, were both jailed for 32 months after pleading guilty at Plymouth Crown Court.

Kerry Gove, 34, of Maker View, Plymouth, also admitted the offence and was jailed for 18 months.

They were arrested by police after groups of protesters clashed in the city centre on 5 August in one of a series of incidents across the UK.

'Conflict was intended'

The court heard Ball and Braidwood were caught on camera shouting, swearing, pushing at police lines and running towards members of a counter-protest being held at the same time.

Ball, who has previous 51 convictions for 93 offences, including two racially aggravated offences, was seen on camera kicking police and swearing at them, prosecutor Holly Rust said.

Braidwood tried to hide his face with a mask and hood as police filmed him making threats and being verbally abusive, the court heard.

He has 27 previous convictions for 62 offences, including assaults on police and public order crimes, the court heard.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Robert Linford said: "Conflict was intended.

"You each played your role in this appalling disorder. The effect on this city was profound."

'Disgusting'

Gove was seen shouting and swearing at police and kicking an officer's riot shield, the court heard.

Sentencing her, Judge Linford said it was "to your credit" that she had never been in trouble before.

"What is not in your credit is the way you behaved," he said.

"It was disgusting. You have not had an easy time of that there can be no doubt."