SHOCKING footage shows the dramatic moment a thug squared up to a wall of riot cops as a brawl broke out in Bristol.
Mark Bowen, 40, of Wiltshire, was jailed after his part in the chaos during a week of unrest across the UK.
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Footage shows Bowen in a crowd of people who were shouting “we want our country back” and behaving aggressively to the heavily outnumbered officers, who were being pelted with objects.
Bowen had consumed up to 10 pints of cider before taking part in the anti-immigration march in Castle Park, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The yob unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade at officers attempting to keep the peace.
Police bodycam footage captured him telling cops: “Shame on you, you horrible c****, I hope it’s your f****** kids next, mate.”
He was jailed at Bristol Crown Court for 25 months yesterday, after being charged with a number of offences.
Officers could be heard urgently calling for “more units” on their radios as the group of far-right anti-immigration protesters advanced on them.
Representing Bowen, Giles Nelson said his client had been homeless for seven years and does not have social media.
Referring to the comments made to police, Mr Nelson said: “He is mortified by that. He is deeply disgusted with himself.”
Bowen told police he believed he had been attending a football celebration, but Judge Moira Macmillan said she did not accept this was true.
Sentencing Bowen, the judge said police dogs and horses were attacked during the rally, with police officers also assaulted.
Addressing Bowen, she said: “You were swearing and you were being highly abusive to the police.
“You said to them ‘You horrible c****, I hope it’s your f****** kids next, mate’. It was a despicable thing for you to say. You became part of the angry mob.”
The judge commended the officers on bicycles policing outside the hotel, wearing bike helmets but no riot gear, who she said were approached by a “violent mob”.
She told Bowen: “Your claim to the police that you didn’t intend anyone to be intimidated by your behaviour is pretty hollow and unconvincing.”
Bowen was sentenced to two years and a month alongside Dominic Capaldi and Daniel Russell on Wednesday.
The trio are the first people to be sentenced for having been part of a group of people which used or threatened violence and caused others to fear for their safety in the disorder on August 3.
Bowen also pleaded guilty to violent disorder when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Friday August 9 having been arrested after verbally abusing members of the public and police officers.
Dominic Capaldi, 34, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, earlier admitted to violent disorder after footage showed him throwing objects at police officers.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Saturday August 10 and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today to two years and 10 months in prison.
Daniel Russell, 47, of Redfield, Bristol, also admitted violent disorder after he was seen kicking a man before later kicking out at other protesters and shouting at – and being aggressive towards – police officers.
He pleaded guilty on Friday August 9at Bristol Magistrates’ Court and was today sentenced to two years and eight months.
WARNING TO THUGS
Deputy Chief Constable Jon Reilly said: “The sentences handed out by the judge today send a very clear message.
“Firstly, to those who actively choose to take part in violent unrest, who attack members of the public and police officers, or cause them to fear for their safety.
“You are highly likely to be sent to prison for a significant amount of time.
“Anyone who causes unrest on our streets will be arrested, charged and put before the courts and suffer the consequences for their actions.
“The judge described those involved in the disorder as right-wing extremists and racists.
“These abhorrent people will not win. They will not divide this city – a city rich with diversity.
“We will continue to arrest and bring to court those involved in this shameful incident, whether they took part in violent acts or crimes motivated by hate, and they too will pay a heavy price for their conduct.”
It comes as prison sentences continue to be handed out following recent disorder and rioting in the UK and rioting,sparked by the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport on July 29.
Rioters responsible for recent violence across the country have been having their court cases fast-tracked to warn others of the consequences.
Police chiefs said the number of arrests from the recent riots and disorder had topped 1,000.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said on Wednesday that 1,024 people had been arrested and 575 charged. It expects the arrests to continue for months.
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