Bristol woman jailed for involvement in ‘terrifying’ mob

A mother of five who took part in a “terrifying” mob outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been sentenced to 26 months in prison.

Lisa Bishop, of Lawrence Weston, Bristol, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after taking part in an anti-immigration demonstration in the city on August 3.

The 38-year-old was in a “prominent” position during the ordeal, threw a can and shouted verbal abuse.

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, Judge Martin Picton said the group she was part of had caused “significant fear” among the occupants of the Mercure hotel.

“The hotel guests who were exposed to this anger must have been terribly frightened,” he said.

The court was told that on the night of the riots only a small group of bicycle police wearing police vests and bicycle helmets were sent to the hotel.

They had no combat equipment and were in danger of being overwhelmed by the “general chaos” due to the large number of demonstrators and counter-demonstrators.

Judge Picton told Bishop: “You stood at the front line, gesticulating and shouting at the police while consuming more alcohol.”

He added that the group had become “increasingly agitated and aggressive” and that their actions had contributed to the situation.

“There was real fear among these police officers,” he said.

The officers in front of the group called for backup when they were outnumbered and only two or three officers stood between the two groups.

Mr Picton said officers had shown “remarkable courage”.

The court concluded that the cost of the protest to the city was “£385,000 and rising”.

The court also heard that Bishop said she was “disgusted and ashamed of her behaviour”.

Jamie Easterbrook, 43, from Bristol, was also sentenced to 20 months in prison for violent disorder.

The court concluded that he had “actively participated in the disturbances” by provoking the police officers and behaving aggressively towards them. In addition, the behaviour of the group he was a member of had a significant impact on the public.

Zak Baker, 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after also pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Judge Picton said Baker “clearly encouraged and enticed the crowd”.

The footage showed him throwing a full soda can at police officers, kicking police dogs, and hitting and kicking the officers.

Sentence of Joseph Bradford, aged 20, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, has been adjourned until 20 September for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

The case of 33-year-old Elly-Jayne Cox from Bristol was also adjourned until October 1.

She also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.