Woman assaulted police during riot

A FISHPONDS woman has been given a suspended prison sentence for barging into police officers and daubing graffiti during a riot in Bristol.

Leah Brenchley, aged 22, admitted charges of assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage and was given a twomonth suspended jail sentence when she appeared at Bristol Crown Court in May.

She will also be subject to a curfew between 5pm and 5am for two months, and undergo 15 days of rehabilitation.

Brenchley was arrested after a 'Kill the Bill' demonstration in March 2021 against the then Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill turned violent around Bridewell police station.

She appeared in court on the same day as three other defendants: Rokas Barisauskas, 21, of Manchester, who was jailed for six years for riot and arson; Daniel Ellis, 27, of Hartcliffe, jailed for four-and-a-half years for riot and arson; Carmen Fitchett, 24, of St Andrews, Bristol, given a 10-month suspended sentence and 180 hours of unpaid work for affray.

Avon and Somerset police said Brenchley "pushed and barged into officers and daubed graffiti over bus shelters, bins and a police vehicle" during the riot.

Barisauskas kicked and poured drinks over officers, attacked a mobile police station and two other police vehicles, and tried to set a police van alight while officers were inside.

Ellis was described in court as a "catalyst" for the riot, kicking and ramming officers, and helping to set fire to a mobile police van, which was destroyed.

Fitchett was abusive, involved in scuffles and threw objects at Bridewell police station.

In total 35 people have now been jailed for offences committed during, with a combined total of 111 years and 10 months in prison sentences handed down.

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."