Father jailed after violent EDL protest in Hanley

The EDL - violent, racist and usually drunk

An English Defence League demonstrator who was at the forefront of a group which broke police lines has been jailed for 16 months. Mark Doel became involved in violence at the demonstration in Hanley city centre on Saturday, January 23.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday that at about 1.30pm, items were being thrown at police including glass bottles, cans and a smoke cannister.

"About 100 people had broken free from the group being cordoned to come round the rear of the police lines," said Mr Spratt. "A police dog handler became aware of a group of men at the rear of the police unit. He then saw the defendant run to the front and shout abuse at the officers. He (Doel) kicked out to the back of a slightly built female officer and punched her to her helmet, causing her to fall to the ground. She was later assaulted by another individual and was kicked and stamped on."

The court heard the police dog took hold of the defendant. He kicked out and struck the dog and others tried to drag him back into the crowd. But the dog maintained its grip and Doel was arrested. In his police interview, he admitted being present at the demonstration but denied violent disorder and assaulting a police officer. He pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier hearing. The pleas were accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Peter McCartney, for the defence, said Doel was not a member of the EDL and visited the Potteries on the invitation of a friend. He said the 43-year-old, who has numerous convictions for violence and disorder but none for 15 years, regrets getting into trouble.

"It was the first demonstration he has attended," said Mr McCartney. "He came along. He did not intend to involve himself in violence, but the situation carried him along and he did get involved."

Judge Granville Styler said an immediate custodial sentence had to be passed.

"This was a very serious matter," the judge told Doel, a father-of-one from Primrose Hill, Batley, West Yorkshire. "You travelled to Stoke-on-Trent and, I take the view, you travelled in order to take part in a demonstration. You consumed five pints of lager. You knew the police were having difficulties restraining an increasingly violent crowd. You were at the forefront of a breakaway group. You attacked a policewoman from behind and knocked her to the ground. It was an extremely dangerous situation. And it encouraged others to attack this officer while on the ground, and she was stamped on. It is clear to me you have not put your violent past behind you."

Judge Styler said he would like the Chief Constable to commend the dog handler for his bravery.

The Sentinel

BNP candidate spat at, pushed and screamed at anti-racist campaigners

A BNP thug – and potential councillor – has been convicted of assaulting two female pacifist protesters just days before the local elections.

David Clarke, who hopes to win a seat in the Heathfield ward, was also found guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court of two other attacks on anti-racism campaigners. Clarke pushed, shoved and spat at Lorna Nelson-Homian, James Cox, Nigel Green and Silvia Beckett in two separate attacks last May outside East Croydon train station.

Giving evidence on Wednesday in relation to the first incident on May 27, Hope Not Hate campaigner Nigel Green said: "I saw him [Clarke] walking towards me. He was walking right towards me and I could see there would be problems. I decided to stop and put the leaflets behind my back. But he gestured for me to give him a leaflet and he basically snatched them out of my hand. They were thrown down on the street and that was quite a shock to me. Then he sort of pushed me and grabbed my arm and twirled me around. I was very shaken because I had done nothing to provoke him."

Prosecutor Daniel Irving told the court how after the first assault Clarke left only to return to repeatedly shove Ms Beckett to get to Mr Green. The court heard Clarke almost knocked the woman off her feet. Mr Irving told the court that when Clarke spotted other Hope Not Hate campaigners two days later he screamed at them: "F****** scumbags, filth on our streets, taking all our jobs."

Then Clarke again snatched leaflets, threw them on the floor and shoved Ms Nelson-Homian and Mr Cox.

Chloe-Jane Belton, defending, told the court it was the victims who assaulted the BNP council candidate and spat at him. But magistrates rejected this version of events and chair of the bench Mike Watkinson ordered reports to be prepared before his sentencing on May 17. Clarke – who was flanked by eight British National Party members in the courtroom – nodded his head in disgust as the verdict was read out.

Speaking after the verdict, Ms Nelson-Homian said: "This has gone to show that their veil of credibility has come down. The BNP always resort to their thuggish violent roots."

Speaking to the Advertiser, Clarke confirmed he would still be standing at the elections next Thursday.

Croydon Today

Thug action of the BNP

You carried an article reporting on the visit of George Galloway to Swansea, to speak at a Respect meeting (Post, March 15).The proprietor of the Four Seasons club contacted me personally to say he was worried about security after receiving warnings from a local BNP member that people from around the country would smash up the club if the meeting proceeded.

I immediately brought this to the attention of the police, who agreed to have officers in the vicinity of the meeting, before the owner cancelled. The meeting eventually went ahead successfully at the university with more than 200 people attending.

A BNP spokesman claimed the organisation was not violent. This flies in the face of the facts. BNP member and former election candidate Robert Cottage recently pleaded guilty to the possession of one of the biggest hoards of explosives ever discovered in the UK, in preparation for "race war''.

Richard Stone, a member of the Stephen Lawrence public inquiry, said: "Whenever the BNP are active, police always do report a rise in racist attacks. There is a correlation between BNP activity and the rise in race attacks.''

The BNP is not a legitimate party for working people - it is a fascist organisation of violent thugs who stand in the tradition of Hitler.

Jonny Jones
Respect Wales Steering Committee

Letter to South Wales Evening Post