Protester jailed for shoving police officer down stairs
Jamie Dewing, 31, travelled from his home in the northeast to the capital join hundreds of demonstrators who claimed they were protecting statues from anti-racism activists.
A protester who pushed a police officer down steps leaving her seriously injured as far-right activists congregated in Parliament Square has been jailed for two years.
Jamie Dewing, 31, travelled from his home in the northeast to the capital to join hundreds of demonstrators who claimed they were protecting statues from anti-racism activists.
Dewing squared up to officers as they attempted to control crowds near the Nelson Mandela statue, where he shoved the female officer.
She fell backwards down the steps and onto her back, injuring her her back and neck. She has returned to duty but is still receiving physiotherapy.
CCTV footage also shows Dewing hurling items including a metal barrier and spitting at police officers at cordons along Whitehall.
His image was released to the media and Dewing was identified by an officer from Cleveland Police, Teeside Crown Court heard.
Dewing, of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, was sentenced to two years’ in prison at Teeside Crown Court today after admitting violent disorder and assaulting an emergency service worker and violent disorder.
Detective Constable Nicky Dixon, part of the investigation team into the disorder, said: ‘Dewing assaulted an officer who was only trying to protect a member of the public. This officer braved a hostile crowd to carry out the rescue of someone who was vulnerable.
‘Having come to the woman’s aid, the officer was moving away when Dewing assaulted her. There is no excuse for this or his later actions, it was just thuggery.
‘I’d like to thank Cleveland Police for their help in identifying Dewing. When arrested he initially denied that he was responsible, but officers had gathered extensive evidence. When faced with the overwhelming evidence against him, he pleaded guilty and has rightly been sent to prison.
‘As part of our investigation into recent disorder, we have released many images of people we would like to speak with in connection with this incident.
‘I would urge everyone to please take a few minutes to look through these images in the news and on social media and, if you identify anyone you recognise, please let us know who they are.’
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