Man who poured cider over police jailed for 21 months

Kevin Searle, aged 40, of Lichfield Road, Weymouth, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court today admitting to two charges of causing violent disorder and assault of a police officer.

These offences took place during the protests in Weymouth on August 4.

The court heard that Searle was part of a group of protestors involved in violent disorder with police officers and was being monitored by CCTV and footage from the public.

Kevin Searle (Image: Dorset Police)

During the protest, the defendant was with two other men pushing police, trying to breach the cordon whilst shouting abuse.

The court heard that Searle emptied the contents of a can of cider onto a police officer, before throwing the can, and remained active in the protest after it became violent.

He was identified from the footage and was arrested following the protest.

Matthew Mortimer, prosecuting, read from a witness statement from PC Pratt.

Mr Mortimer said: "During the protests, police were forced to push back protestors.

"Searle was seen hurling vile abuse.

"He had a can of cider and intentionally poured the contents over PC Pratt.

"It went over his right arm, right shoulder and face."

Searle was not arrested at the scene, but was identified on CCTV, where police said his involvement in the protest "continued" and he remained at the front of the group.

He was arrested on Tuesday, August 13, at his mother's home address where he resides.

Mr Mortimer added: "He was interviewed by police and he stated he relapsed on the day and let himself down.

"He started the day fishing at the harbour at 8am.

"He then packed up and walked home at 4.30pm after drinking six cans of cider.

"As he walked home, he heard noise from the protests and followed them.

"There, he met people he had not seen in a while and got caught up in the moment.

"He said the atmosphere was hyped up like a football match.

"He said he felt embarrassed and it was not normal behaviour, he is not violent or racist and said he was sorry for what he did."

Mr Mortimer told the court Searle has 32 previous convictions for 52 offences.

On June 13, 2022, he was given a 12-month community order for two counts of making indecent images of children.

He then breached that order a year later when he was convicted of common assault and was given a new year-long community order.

Mr Martin, for the defence, said: "There was minimal use of force.

"A push is not as bad as a punch and throwing cider is not as bad as using a weapon.

"He cried when he watched the footage back and has asked me to pass on his apologies.

"The defendant struggles with alcohol addiction and he had been making progress on his community order.

"He had resumed contact with his five-year-old child.

"He had something to drink on the day and that explains why his good progress was undone.

"He bitterly regrets having anything to do with it."

Judge William Mousley KC said: "You shouted abuse, pushed and shoved police and threw a can of drink towards them.

"In the last ten years, you have been convicted of racially aggravated threatening behaviour, battery, assault and burglary and at the time of this offence, you were subject to a community order.

"I am prepared to accept your remorse as genuine.

"I am quite sure that only immediate imprisonment provides suitable punishment."

Searle was sentenced to 21 months in prison for violent disorder.

He was also sentenced to 3 months in prison for assaulting an emergency worker, which will run concurrently.

His community order was also revoked by the Judge.