A Horfield man admitted riot after trouble flared at a Bristol Kill The Bill protest. And a judge told him to prepare for prison.
Matthew O'Neill, 30, appeared at Bristol Crown Court today (April 11, 2022). He pleaded guilty to riot and arson, by damaging a police van, on March 21 last year.
Jacob Bindman, defending, said a mental health assessment on his client was underway. Judge James Patrick adjourned the case for sentence until May 23.
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The judge told O'Neill: "You know it will be a prison sentence when you come back." O'Neill was handed bail and declined to comment as he left court.
The court had heard trouble followed an initially peaceful "Kill The Bill" protest against the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. Scenes turned ugly with a faction of protesters letting off fireworks, throwing missiles at police, setting police vehicles on fire and smashing the windows of Bridewell police station.
A number of people have been convicted of riot after the disorder. Like them, O'Neill's sentencing hearing will include video footage of his offending.
In O'Neill's case footage shows him using lit items to set a police vehicle on fire. He used a police shield to fan the flames and wielded a chair to smash the front window of a police van already well ablaze.
O’Neill also used a police shield and baton to attack officers. He also caused damage to the front of Bridewell Police Station.
Detective Superintendent James Riccio said: “Matthew O’Neill engaged in some of the more serious violence and destruction which occurred on that shameful night. “He chose to use the uncontrollable weapon of fire, showing no regard to the safety or welfare of others.
“O’Neill is the seventeenth person to be convicted of offences in connection with the riot and the change in plea is testament to the compelling visual evidence against him, meticulously collated by our team of investigators.”
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