Men jailed for violence outside Essex asylum hotel
Three men who pushed, punched, and kicked police officers during a rally outside The Bell Hotel in Epping became the first to be jailed for the disorder. Prosecutors said Stuart Williams, 36, Dean Smith, 51, and Martin Peagram, 33, were among a peaceful demonstration
in the Essex town on July 17th. After one individual was charged with two sexual assaults, they were motivated by hostilities
toward asylum seekers being housed at the hotel, according to Chelmsford Crown Court. Williams was sentenced to two years and four months in prison, Peagram for two years, and Smith for one year and ten months. Each defendant admitted violent disorder.
Thousands of protesters and counter-demonstrations outside the hotel over the summer hosted anti-immigration demonstrations and resistance marches, requiring 54m policing operation, the court heard. Hadush Kebatu had been arrested in Epping for sexually assaulting both a 14-year-old girl and a woman, who was later sentenced to prison for.
Judge Jamie Sawyer said the manager of The Bell Hotel received an anonymous phone call from a person asking, are you up for tonight?
. The judge advised that on social media and attendees, wake up and bring rage,
with around 500 people attending that afternoon. According to prosecutor Graham Carse,
and were stabbed, shoved, and fired. According to him, police vans were also ruined, and constables werepolice officers were exposed to sustained attacks for four hours
pelted withbottles, eggs, and fireworks. "I have never seen this kind of chaos in Essex in 20 years of policing, and particularly not in a town like Epping.
'Shroud of patriotism'
The court heard Williams, of Thornwood, Epping, was identified by detectives in a video wearing a Union Jack flag as a cape.
Mr Carse said.That shroud of patriotism did nothing to mask his skepticism,
Williams should have chargedthe police line and taken a
aggressive, boxer-like stance,Mr Carse said. He scaled a nearby school attended by children with special educational needs and disabilities, which was sadly marred. Smith, who was also from Epping, was seen among a
large group of screaming and punching officerswith his face covered.
Mr Carse said. Mr Carse continued to be referring to Peagram, a smile beaming across his face. He seems to be enjoying his time outside The Bell Hotel. As the crowd advances, the guy shouted and struck out at an officer. Businesses were forced to close during the demonstration, according to the prosecutor, andHe links arms with others at the front, crowding for the crowd to march forward,
worry, chaos, and terrorhad caused residents to leave. According to him, the defendants were
But Sam Thomas, who was defending Smith, argued that there wasmotivated by hostilities to a racial group or a perceived recial group.
not a racist bone in his bodyand that he had
The 51-year-old had fallen out with friends and family over his beliefs, and he may have lost his career at Waitrose,no problem with people coming into this country fleeing persecution.
appalling and disgraceful,he said. Kevin Toomey, Williams', said his conduct was
but that he was fueled by a mantra ofprotect our children.
Richard Padley, Peagram's chief, wrote.He describes his behavior as foolish, immature, humiliating, and pathetic,
Judge Sawyer said.When you did what you did, you went beyond a protest and became criminal,
he said.You wished for the asylum seekers to be evacuated from the country,
Follow Essex news onBBC Sounds,Facebook,InstagramandX.You didn't wait for the due process to complete, you wanted to take things into your own hands.
