A Hartcliffe man who admitted disorder against police at a Bristol Kill The Bill protest has been jailed.
Joseph Foster appeared for a plea and trial preparation hearing today (January 18, 2022) at Bristol Crown Court.
The 31-year-old, of Oak House, pleaded guilty to riot on March 21 last year.
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Judge James Patrick jailed him for three years and three months.
The judge told him: "I've dealt with a lot of these cases.
"Normally I explain why it is so serious.
"You know how serious this was.
"Everyone agrees that your behaviour has a sentence which starts at six years.
"You were threatening to police officers, climbed onto a police van and was trying to tip it over."
The judge conceded Foster had learning disabilities and mental health difficulties and got "caught up" in the riot.
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Christine Hart, prosecuting, told the judge Foster was captured on camera making threats towards a police officer, climbing on the bonnet of a police van and damaging its doors and wing mirrors.
She said as well as trying to push the van over Foster was throwing things at police and helped in throwing a metal fence towards officers.
The court heard Foster was arrested in the early hours of March 22, was taken to hospital, and assaulted a policeman.
Ieuan Callaghan, defending, said his client had cut down on drink and had stopped taking the drug Spice.
He urged the judge for the most lenient sentence possible.
Mr Callaghan said: "He is in settled accommodation.
"He has part-time gardening work, three days and and three days off.
"His life has changed for the better."
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