Violence in Bristol as police clash with far-right group
Bristol city centre was filled with far-right campaigners on Saturday 4 March, staging a protest against what they have called an 'outrageous' sentence a “loyal patriot” received after raw bacon was left outside a mosque.
34 year old, Kevin Crehan from Knowle, was jailed for 12 months in July 2016, for being part of a group that tied bacon to the door handles of the Jamia Mosque in the city.
Crehan, along with others, had admitted racially aggravated public order offences in relation to the incident.
But in December, the 34 year old died in prison.
On Saturday, around a hundred supporters of Crehan, also known as 'Bunny', gathered outside Bristol Crown Court on Small Street, amid a heavy police presence which included mounted officers on horseback and police dogs.
Written on a blog drawn up for the event by Crehan's supporters, their message was to 'highlight the disproportionate sentence' handed down by a 'corrupt judge'.
Avon and Somerset Police had issued a warning on its social media network, banning protesters from bringing certain items to the events.
Items that were banned, include face coverings including masks and scarves, placards that might incite disorder or hatred, and anything that could be used to cause injury or damage.
Police confirm that no arrests were made following the demo.