Four more sentenced for Bristol Riots offences - bringing total jail time to over 109 years
Together all of the 34 offenders sentenced following the riots back in 2021 have been jailed for a combined total of 109 years and four months
Four more people have been sentenced today at Bristol Crown Court (May 12) for their role in the 2021 Bristol Riots.
It includes one man who tried to set fire to a police van while officers were inside.
In total, it means the number of people given immediate jail terms for offences committed during the riots outside Bridewell Police station is now 34 - with a combined total of 109 years and 4 months behind bars.
- 21-year-old Rokas Barisauskas from Manchester admitted charges of riot and arson and jailed for six years
- 27-year-old Daniel Ellis from Hartcliffe in Bristol admitted charges of riot and arson and jailed for four years and six months
- 24-year-old Carmen Fitchett from St Andrew's in Bristol admitted a charge of affray and was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and will also be subject to a curfew between 5pm and 5am for two months and will have to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work
- 22-year-old Leah Brenchley from Fishponds in Bristol admitted charges of assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage and was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for nine months, and will also be subject to a curfew between 5pm and 5am for two months and undergo 15 days of rehabilitation
During the riot, Rokus Barisauskas kicked and poured drinks over officers, posed for selfies with some, called them offensive names, and even attacked a mobile police station with a shield.
Barisauskas caused damage to the windscreen of the mobile police station, as well as two other police vehicles which officers were inside.
He also tried to set a police van - with officers inside - alight.
Daniel Ellis was caught on camera kicking out at officers, and using a police shield to ram into them.
He was described as a ‘catalyst’ for the disorder and helped to set fire to a mobile police van.
This van was destroyed.
Carmen Fitchett was abusive to officers and threw objects at Bridewell police station.
Leah Brenchley pushed and barged into officers and daubed graffiti over bus shelters, bins and a police vehicle.
"To say the riot is a stain on the history of Bristol is no understatement"
Det Supt James Riccio said: “The fact the courts have now given out prison sentences amounting to more than 100 years shows the gravity of offences committed on that shameful evening. To say the riot is a stain on the history of Bristol is no understatement.
“The actions of the minority who engaged in the violence were wholly unacceptable. Our communities do not want to see wanton disorder on the streets, so it’s right those who freely chose to act in this way now face the consequences of their actions.
“Rokas Barisauskas and Daniel Ellis were involved in some of the most serious violence which occurred on the night, and both used what’s previously been described as the ‘uncontrollable weapon of fire’ to cause maximum damage. The fact Barisauskas was willing to try and set a vehicle ablaze while people were inside beggars’ belief."
Criminal proceedings relating to the events of Sunday 21 March 2021 are ongoing against other defendants.
We're all reminded now to report, comment or share information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.