‘PREPARE FOR JAIL’
JUDGE’S WARNING TO KILL THE BILL PROTESTERS INVOLVED IN LATER CITY CENTRE VIOLENCE
PEOPLE charged in connection with a major disturbance in Bristol have been told to prepare for prison.
Several who admitted offences including riot when they appeared before Bristol Crown Court yesterday will be sentenced on July 30.
Others who deny wrongdoing are set to go on trial.
On March 21 thousands of people took to the streets of Bristol to march and then sit down outside a Bristol police station.
The protest was followed by a disturbance outside Bridewell Police Station lasting into the early hours.
The initially peaceful protest was against a controversial Government bill which would curtail the right to protest.
“Kill the Bill” campaigners objected to the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which would give police and the Home Secretary increased powers to stop protests.
It also makes a special new law to protect monuments and statues, in the wake of the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston, with the crime of damaging them punishable by up to ten years in prison.
Police this week said in total 65 people have been arrested in connection with the incident of which 21 have been charged.
First in court yesterday, before Judge James Patrick, was Yasmin Schneider, 25, of Lamb Street in St Pauls.
Prosecutor James Le Grys said she has pleaded guilty to two charges of outraging public decency and the incident was captured on police body cam.
The judge adjourned her case for sentence on July 30 – saying a prison sentence was at the forefront of his mind.
She was released on bail.
Next up was Kane Adamson, 21, of Romney Avenue in Lockleaze. He pleaded guilty to riot on March 21.
Edward Hetherington, defending, said his client had a significant history of engagement with mental health services.
Sentence was adjourned until July 30 and he was bailed.
The judge told him prison is a possibility.
Kain Simmonds, 18, of Stratford Road, Birmingham, who is charged with riot, was the next due to appear in court.
Farah Rashid, defending, said he
had not attended as he is unwell.
The judge said Simmonds messaged the court saying he has a cold.
A warrant was issued, not backed for bail, to arrest him.
Brandon Lloyd, 21, of Greenlands Way in Henbury was next in court.
He pleaded guilty to riot on March
21.
Sam Jones, defending, said a presentence report has been prepared and asked for his client to continue to have bail.
The judge bailed him for sentence on July 30 – and told him to prepare for prison.
Next before the judge was Stuart Quinn, 46, of Thomas Street in St Pauls.
He pleaded guilty to riot on March
21.
Catherine Spedding, defending, said there is a pre-sentence report on her client.
The judge adjourned sentence to July 30 and handed Quinn conditional bail until then.
The judge told him that the overwhelming likelihood was a prison sentence.
Jasmine York, 26, of The Paintworks, Arnos Vale, pleaded not guilty to riot on March 21.
It is alleged she pushed a bin into a burning police vehicle.
She was represented by Russell Fraser, defending via video link.
Following a discussion about evidence in the case, the judge adjourned the case for trial on January 31. York was given unconditional bail. The case of Dylan Dunne, 22, of Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, who is charged with violent disorder on March 21, was adjourned until July 5 to enable legal aid. Dunne was bailed.
Mariella Gedge-Rodgers, 26, of Queens Road in Bristol, pleaded not guilty to riot on March 21.