Two men jailed for involvement with city disorder

Two men have been jailed for their involvement in a violent city protest last month.

Lee Gilpin, 43, and Michael Tarling, 42, both of Stoke Gifford, Bristol, were sentenced to two years in prison at Bristol Crown Court earlier after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Both men were part of groups that became violent or threatening, causing fear for others' safety during the disorder on 3 August.

The unrest occurred when hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park in Bristol on 3 August.

During the unrest the court heard Gilpin threw a concrete parasol stand at the windscreen of a police vehicle and verbally abused and assaulted members of the public and officers outside the Mercure Hotel.

He also kicked an officer's bike, police said.

Police said Tarling threw an object at officers before kicking and punching another man on Redcliffe Way. He later threw an object into a crowd of people.

The court heard that Tarling also made racial comments and gestured towards police officers and counter protestors.

So far, 19 people have been sentenced for their involvement.

A total of 50 people have been arrested and 37 have been charged, police said.

Det Ch Insp Tom Herbert said: “Both these men played significant roles in the violent disorder we saw in Bristol that day and have rightfully been sentenced for it.

“Nineteen people have now been sentenced in court and are serving more than 35 years combined in prison."

A total of 50 people have been arrested in connection with the disorder.

Of those, 37 have been charged.

Demonstrations took place across England after three young girls were killed in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

Avon and Somerset Police said it was keen to identify a number of people, officers want to speak to as part of their investigation.

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