Man jailed following seafront protest
A man has been jailed for 18 months following disorder at a protest on a Dorset seafront.
About 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered on the Esplanade on 4 August, along with about 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators.
Ian Vetier, 36, from Weymouth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the gathering.
Passing sentence, Judge William Mousley KC said Vetier had “threatened violence and made racist remarks”.
Prosecution barrister Richard Tett told Bournemouth Crown Court CCTV and mobile phone footage showed Vetier had been part of a large group of protesters near Kings Statue and Jubilee Clock.
A statement from PC Mark Matthews said officers noticed Vetier pushing and shoving against a police sergeant.
He said he was shirtless and holding a union jack flag in his right hand at the time.
He told the court the officer felt “in fear of his safety” and at risk of being violently assaulted.
‘No lawful reason’
Sentencing Vetier, Judge Mousley told him: “You were part of group of 30 or more adult males causing pubic disorder during day time when members of the public would have been there.”
He added that there had been “no lawful reason” for Vetier’s behaviour, and while he did not use violence towards police, his role encouraged others to do so.
Two police officers were injured during the protest, attended by about 400 anti-immigration protesters and 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators.
Officers built a physical wall, using themselves and police vans to stop the groups meeting.
The protest was one of a number across England and Northern Ireland, including Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.
They followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.
Far-Right Criminals 