A woman who hit a police officer on the head with a skateboard during last year’s riot in Bristol has been jailed for five and a half years.
Mariella Gedge-Rogers, 27, also climbed on to the roof of the Bridewell police station in the centre of Bristol and threw missiles at officers.
During the violence that erupted in March 2021 after a peaceful “kill the bill” protest, officers were attacked, their vehicles set on fire and the police station vandalised.
Video footage released by the police shows Gedge-Rogers, from the Clifton area of the city, telling the officer she hit “I know you’re a human being”, to which he replies: “You’ve just hit me with a skateboard though.” She says: “I did do that, yes.”
She was also seen throwing objects at other officers from the police station roof and repeatedly striking the front window of the building with her skateboard before passing it to a man for him to do the same.
Judge James Patrick, sentencing Gedge-Rogers, said: “You used your skateboard as a weapon and threw missiles and objects. You had had a considerable amount of drink.”
Speaking of the impact of the rioting on officers, Patrick said: “Vile abuse was directed at the police. At least one firework was discharged, officers were pulled from their lines. They were physically attacked, some with missiles, some with weapons, and others were struck, spat on, kicked and punched.”
He added: “Experienced police officers, some with military experience, describe it movingly. One with significant services experience described it as one of the most frightening experiences in his career.” Another said it was “like a war zone”.
Patrick accepted Gedge-Rogers had shown remorse and was ashamed of what she had done. “People who knew you identify that you have behaved out of character,” he said.
Gedge-Rogers, who was convicted by a jury of riot, will be expected to serve half her sentence in custody and the other half on licence.
Avon and Somerset police were criticised by some activists at subsequent “kill the bill” demonstrations for what they said was heavy-handed tactics with horses and dogs being used to disperse protesters.
Kannan Siva, defending, said Gedge-Rogers acted out of character and contributory factors were her complex mental health issues and alcohol consumption.
He told the court she attended the 21 March protest with peaceful intentions but her behaviour changed after she was forcibly restrained.
Gedge-Rogers is the 14th person to be sentenced in connection with the riot. Those dealt with so far have been jailed for a combined total of more than 50 years.
