Protester’s Flying Kick Lands Him with Suspended Sentence
Jonathan Daley, 27, of Dagenham, narrowly escaped jail after a violent flying kick hurled at a police officer during a 2020 Whitehall protest. Daley admitted a charge of violent disorder and was handed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at London Inner Crown Court on 29 July.
Violence Erupts at Whitehall Protest
On 3 June last year, around 250 protesters grew hostile near Derby Gate during a demonstration. When police moved in to protect a TV crew under attack, some protesters turned violent, hurling objects at officers.
Caught Red-Handed on CCTV
Daley sneaked up behind an officer, missing his initial kick. CCTV then showed Daley lurking behind railings, waiting to ambush police. As one officer passed, Daley launched a flying kick, striking the officer’s upper thigh, knocking him to the ground before fleeing and celebrating with the crowd.
Sentence and Police Warning
- 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years
- 100 hours unpaid work
- Victim surcharge of £200
- Probation with credited programme days
Detective Constable Steve Nicholls slammed Daley’s “thuggish behaviour” and praised the “excellent CCTV” that helped nab him the same day at Parliament Square. Nicholls warned: “Daley has been spared jail this time, but repeat offences will land him behind bars.”
