Weymouth man jailed for punching police during protest

Jason Barry Francis, aged 38, of Meadow View Road, Weymouth, pleaded guilty today at Bournemouth Crown Court to violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.

This was during the protests on the Esplanade in Weymouth on Sunday, August 4, at around 7.30pm.

Francis was part of the 'Enough is Enough' protest group, who were opposed by a counter-protest from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR).

Jason Barry Francis (Image: Dorset Police)

At this point of the protest, police had formed a line between the two groups to keep them separated, just by the King's Statue.

Read more: Bottles hurled at police and officer punched in face as ugly scenes unfold

Richard Tutt, prosecuting, said that CCTV footage showed Francis moving towards the police line holding a camera, smiling, and laughing, before punching a police officer - giving him a bloody nose - and retreating into the crowd.

Francis was identified through the video and arrested just four days later.

Jason Francis being arrested (Image: Dorset Police)

Mr Tutt read from the police interview with Francis, in which the defendant said the incident was because he had two cans of cider, felt threatened by the police, and that it was in self-defence.

Mr Tutt said footage discredits any argument of self-defence.

The protest at the King's Statue at around 7.30pm (Image: NQ)

In the interview Francis said that 'he had not punched the police officer very hard otherwise he would have been out cold on the floor', and if he had 'wanted to hurt him, he would have.'

Francis became irritated in the interview, saying police were 'two-tiered' and got aggressive when SUTR were discussed - saying that they and the government were protecting 'people who rape 13-year-old girls'.

From the video link at HMP Winchester, Francis could be heard agreeing with his statements.

Francis has 27 convictions for 49 different offences, including drugs and violence.

Rose Burns, mitigating, said that Francis's behaviour comes in part from abuse as a child and that he is currently caring for his mother.

Ms Burns said: "Drugs and drink just don't agree with him. On this particular day, he had two cans of cider and just regards himself as being completely out of it."

Read more: Anti-immigration protest in Weymouth as police guard seafront

Ms Burns also says that Francis's protest group has considered their treatment unfair when compared to the SUTR group and that he feels UK residents are treated worse than the asylum seekers.

Ms Burns added: "At this stage, all I can say is that he is sorry for doing all this. All I can say is that he is going to take it on the chin."

Judge William Mousley said: "This obviously is a time where protests and related violence were taking place across England.

"Clearly members of the group had it in their mind to do serious violence on people and property.

"There can be no doubt that the holding of the camera was a clear provocation to further stir up trouble there and after the incident.

"Anyone watching the CCTV footage would clearly be able to see that you were not being threatened or under threat of being attacked."

Jason Barry Francis has been sentenced to two years in prison.

After sentencing, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “This conviction demonstrates our commitment to the relentless pursuit of criminality in the wake of the disorder which took place during the protests in Weymouth on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

“Our officers attended the protests with only one thing in mind – to keep members of the public safe – and it was totally unacceptable for one of them to be assaulted in this way in the line of duty. I hope that this conviction will act as a deterrent for those who are looking to cause disorder in the future.

“We will continue to facilitate peaceful protests, but if people are intent on committing public disorder or criminal offences, they will be dealt with robustly as such behaviours will not be tolerated.

“We are fully prepared to respond to incidents of disorder and we have a full command structure in place to ensure there is minimal disruption to local communities who can approach officers should they have any concerns.”