‘Naive’ man spat at police during Bristol riot
A MAN spat at a police officer and threw a bottle at a horse during the Bristol riot.
Joseph Parry, from Llanelli, was also part of a group who attempted to pull the door off a mobile police station.
He appeared in Bristol Crown Court on Monday and was sentenced after pleading guilty to a charge of violent disorder.
Parry, 23, was given a 20-month custody sentence following his guilty plea. He is the 21st person to be jailed following the riot.
Judge James Patrick said he had taken into account Parry’s guilty plea, age, his previous good character, and that he was easily led by others when sentencing the man, but ultimately said Parry’s actions dehumanised officers. Judge Patrick also highlighted how the defendant had spit on officers during the height of the pandemic, Bristol Post reports.
Detective superintendent James Riccio said: “Joseph Parry is a naive young man who, after drinking alcohol, got caught up in the moment.
“He spent more than three hours at the scene and had plenty of time and opportunity to walk away yet chose to stay and act aggressively towards police officers trying to maintain order. He has owned up to his actions but there can be no excuses for engaging in violent acts.”
On March 21, 2021, thousands of people took to the street to protest a controversial government bill which placed restrictions on protesting. ‘Kill the Bill’ protesters were fighting the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts
Bill, which gives the Home Secretary more power to stop protests. Court proceedings will continue into the incidents and so far, the combined jailed time of the 21 people sentenced amounts to 77 years and nine months.