Brighton Man Jailed After Violent Demo Brawl
A Brighton man has been locked up after attacking a member of the public and a police officer during a heated demonstration.
Chaos on Queens Road
Ian Ward, 53, from Old Mill Close, Portslade, was part of a large crowd on Queens Road on Wednesday, August 7th. Police had formed a line to separate the crowd from a smaller group. Ward broke through the line, punching someone from the smaller group and then assaulting a female police officer.
Caught on Camera and Arrested
Police reviewed footage of the incident, identified Ward, and arrested him four days later on Sunday, August 11th. He was charged with affray, assault, and assaulting a police officer.
Jail Sentence Sends Clear Message
Ward pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on August 12th. The next day, Lewes Crown Court sentenced him to eight months behind bars, plus another eight months on licence.
Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “This is a significant custodial sentence that should send a clear message that any acts of violence are not being tolerated, against members of the public or our officers. We are committed to facilitating peaceful protests impartially and, where individuals step over the line into unlawful behaviour, we will take action.”
He added that investigations are ongoing into further reports from last week, targeting those trying to stir division in the community.
