Overview

• Chelmsford Crown Court jailed Stuart Williams for two years and four months, Martin Peagram for two years and two months, and Dean Smith for one year and 10 months after guilty pleas to violent disorder.
• Judge Jamie Sawyer said the offending went beyond lawful protest and was at least partly racially motivated.
• Prosecutors said around 500 protesters and about 50 counter-protesters gathered on July 17, when officers faced sustained attacks for more than four hours and police vehicles were damaged.
• The demonstrations followed the sexual assaults committed in early July by Bell Hotel resident Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who was jailed for 12 months in September.
• A fourth defendant, Luke Fleming, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and was bailed for trial starting March 23 next year.