Two men jailed for violent disorder during protest in Aldershot
Two men have been jailed for a total of over four years following a protest at a Hampshire hotel housing asylum seekers.
60 year old Clive Patfield, from The Chantrys in Farnham, and 25 year old Kieron Marney, from Fairview Road in Ash, were among around 200 protesters who gathered at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on the 31st of July.
Hampshire Police say although the majority protested in a peaceful manner, their behaviour turned aggressive and violent.
Some of the wider group were seen throwing objects at the hotel before banging on the doors.
Others shouted racist abuse and acted in a threatening way towards those staying inside the hotel.
Video footage played at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday (4 September) showed Marney hurling a bike at the hotel doors. He was also seen throwing objects and pulling window blinds. Patfield was part of the group that was banging on doors.
Patfield and Marney pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Winchester Crown Court. Marney was jailed for two years and three months, while Patfield was jailed for two years.
18 year old Alby Brannan, of Winchester Road, Ash, and 41 year old Cameron Bowling, of Broadhurst, Farnborough, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Bowling is due to be sentenced at the same court on 23 September, while Brannan is due to be sentenced on 29 November.
34 year old Jamie Lee Turvey, of Montgomery Road, Farnborough, denied the offence and is due to go on trial on 14 April 2025.
A 13-year-old girl from Aldershot, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged with violent disorder and admitted the charge at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on 13 August.
She was bailed and is due to be sentenced at the same court on 30 September.
A man charged with assaulting police officers who were investigating reports of the disorder at the protest also appeared at the same court.
Officers visited the hotel on 3 August and were assaulted by a man. One officer had to go to hospital with a minor injury.
41 year old Steven Tiquin, of Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, was charged with four counts of assaulting an emergency worker, affray and a racially aggravated public order offence.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court and is due to be sentenced on 13 September.
Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: "While the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful, the men involved in disorder chose to act in an aggressive manner.
"Their behaviour that day spiralled out of control and caused fear of violence to those inside the hotel and our officers.
"I hope the sentences that Patfield and Marney received highlight that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. It is a clear message that these actions have consequences.
"This should serve as a warning to anyone else considering trying to bring mindless violence to our streets and that the minority who seek to cause disorder will face the full force of the law."