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A man has been jailed for 14 months after assaulting a police officer during an anti-immigration protest.

Ian Wyn Thomas, 47, of Elliott Road in Bournemouth, Dorset, attended the protest on The Esplanade in Weymouth on 4 August.

Dorset Police said he was seen to confront and push an officer, before throwing his right hand toward their head, which the officer blocked with their arm.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker at Bournemouth Crown Court on 10 September.

Thomas was identified following a review of footage and other evidence gathered from the protest, the force said.

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

It was one of a number of violent outbreaks across England and Northern Ireland, following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.

Another man, James Ashley Hepburn, 31, from Portland, was previously charged with encouraging or assisting in the commission of offences of murder believing one or more will be committed.

The charge, in connection with the same protest, was discontinued at Bournemouth Crown Court on 30 August.

He will instead appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 30 September charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provocation.

BBC News

A man has admitted assaulting a police officer during protests on Weymouth seafront.

Kevin Searle pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker during a hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court.

About 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered on the Esplanade on 4 August, along with about 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators.

The 40-year-old from Weymouth was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday.

The court heard Searle pushed and shoved police officers in an attempt to get through a cordon on the Esplanade, shouted abuse and threw a can of cider.

Searle told the court he had been returning from a fishing trip, had consumed alcohol and had not been aware the protest was taking place.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “This latest arrest and charge demonstrates our continued commitment to take action against those believed to be involved in criminal activity during the recent protest activity.

“Our message remains very clear – we will not tolerate any reported hate, violence, or disorder in our communities.”

Disorder broke out in Southport on 30 July, a day after Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event in the town.

It spread to other towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland in the subsequent days, fuelled by misinformation on social media.

Two men appeared in court on Tuesday after the protests in Weymouth.

Ian Thomas, 47, from Bournemouth, is charged with violent disorder, and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Ian Vetier, 36, from Weymouth, is also accused of violent disorder during the gathering on Weymouth Esplanade on 4 August.

Both men were remanded in custody by Poole magistrates. They are due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday.

BBC News