A father-of-two has become the first demonstrator to be imprisoned after hurling a plastic bottle at a police cordon and verbally abusing officers during an anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth.
Del Somerville, from Paulsgrove, received a two-year jail term at Portsmouth Crown Court after admitting to violent disorder. The 42-year-old was the first person arrested and sentenced in connection with the disturbances that broke out following a small boat's arrival in the Hampshire city on September 6.
Judge's warning
Judge Daniel Sawyer stated his sentence would serve as a warning to others amid further demonstrations in the locality. Branding him a "thug", the judge told the defendant: "Police officers dedicate their lives to the protection of the public regardless of their own views, the very least they can expect is that those who engage in protests treat them with respect and the courts punish those who assault them."
Prosecutor Edward Warren explained: "This case arises out of the violence that occurred on the night of September 6 following the arrival into the country of 114 illegal migrants who had crossed the Channel from France and were diverted to Eastney marina, escorted by the Coastguard and the RNLI."
Details of the disorder
Mr Warren added: "Following an initial peaceful and lawful gathering from local residents, a large number of people gathered on Ferry Road near the marina. That protest apparently initially appeared spontaneous before it seemed organised elements with online encouragement from public figures having shared information on social media and elsewhere led to a much wider group and a large number of people attending."
Public awareness spread online and a larger number of people began to congregate in Eastney. "Protests began popping up in other parts of the area, including Hayling Island and ferry terminals."
Hampshire Constabulary declared a major incident during the evening and a significant police presence was deployed, and significant resources were required to maintain public order and to ensure those who had arrived in the country were moved to a secure location. During the evening there were seven recorded assaults on police officers and damage caused to police vehicles. Other forces were deployed from outside Hampshire to assist, with approximately 50 officers from Hampshire and a further 100 supporting officers.
Court evidence and defence
The court was informed that local residents had provided statements expressing fear within their own homes, while demonstrators were witnessed urinating in gardens, with property damage in the vicinity running into thousands of pounds. Mr Warren stated that bricks, stones and bottles had been hurled at police, and community wardens found themselves confined to their vehicles for five hours throughout the disorder.
The prosecution outlined how at approximately 11.20pm, Somerville, dressed in a khaki hooded top with the hood raised, first gestured to a fellow demonstrator to "back off" from the police cordon. The court heard the accused subsequently "turned to face the police and was seen to throw a small bottle and he has shouted at officers to 'f*** off'". He remained at the front of the group talking to protesters a short distance from the police line.
It was further stated that at 1am, body-worn camera evidence captured Somerville "aggressively pushing" through the police barrier and "shouting verbal abuse at police officers" as well as "pointing aggressively" at them.
Mr Warren explained that Somerville, who resides on a vessel at the marina, was located at his van by officers on September 11 and allegedly assaulted a constable during his arrest. The defendant has denied this charge, with the matter now set to be heard at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.
During questioning, Mr Warren revealed Somerville "said the police were the ones responsible for the violence and he suggests he was struck by a baton multiple times and sprayed with CS gas".
Helen Easterbrook, defending, told the court that Somerville had been aboard his boat at the marina that evening and ventured out to investigate the commotion. She explained: "Unlike so many of those involved in disorders where people are transporting themselves across the country, he was caught up in it. He was one of the people affected by this, his original involvement was when he came out of the marina to see what was going on. This does not excuse the behaviour he began to undertake."
She further stated: "He asked police to go back to his place of safety on his boat but he was refused." Ms Easterbrook revealed that Somerville had initially tried to defuse the situation, but had thrown a "light plastic bottle" with no intention of causing harm. She went on to say: "He has suffered a number of mental health issues, rebuilding his life multiple times."
The judge addressed Somerville directly, stating: "You didn't simply find yourself caught up in this disorder, this maybe how it started but you made a decision to engage in this behaviour."
