A WINTERBOURNE man who was “at the centre of the violent mob” during anti-immigration protests in Bristol has been jailed.
Wayne Murray, who is 57, threw missiles at police during violence in the city centre on August 3.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Murray’s involvement “fuelled” the violence, which lasted several hours.
He was arrested and charged with violent disorder by police in early September.
Murray was jailed for two years and two months on September 24, after pleading guilty to the charge.
His behaviour was described as “shameful” by the officer leading the investigation into the disturbances.
Defendant ‘fuelled’ the violence
His arrest followed a police investigation into violence in the city centre, firstly in Castle Park and then outside a hotel that houses asylum seekers on Redcliff Hill.
Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters were on the streets of the city, faced by anti-racism counter protesters.
The violence flared during a week of anti-immigration riots across the UK, sparked by false information spread online that claimed the killer of three girls in Southport on July 29 was a Muslim asylum-seeker.
An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: “Murray was seen aggressively shouting at and gesturing towards police officers before throwing objects at them during the disorder.
“The court heard Murray ‘was at the centre of the violent mob’ and that his involvement ‘fuelled’ the violence.”
‘Completely shameful’
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert, who is leading the investigation into the violence, said: “Murray’s behaviour that day was completely shameful and he has now received a lengthy prison sentence as a result.
“Two-dozen people have now been sentenced for their involvement on that day and we continue to work to identify and arrest others involved.”
As the Voice went to print police had arrested 51 people in connection with the violence, with 40 charged so far.
Murray is the 24th person to be sentenced, with most receiving prison sentences.
Police have published images of a number of people they still want to trace and question as part of their investigation.
They can be found here.