Officer who smashed student's tooth out during protest sobs as he's jailed for eight months

A policeman who knocked a man's tooth out with his riot shield during the 2010 student protests sobbed today as he was jailed for eight months.

Pc Andrew Ott struck Royal Holloway student William Horner as he tried to break free from a kettled area on Parliament Square in Westminster.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden told Ott he had carried out "gratuitous and unnecessary violence" and abused his power as a police officer.

Ott was taped on his personal recording device threatening violence towards the crowds near the Houses of Parliament. He talked about "getting" the protesters.

The jury heard the assault was carried out after PC Ott chased William Horner as he tried to scale a fence.

Giving evidence, Ott said:

Jurors heard the incident was captured on the audio device Ott wore on his uniform.

The violent protests saw riot police pelted with missiles, including rocks and concrete blocks, and statues in Parliament Square were daubed with graffiti.

No further action was taken against William Horner.