Man jailed after protest outside asylum hotel

A man has been jailed for two years and seven months after admitting violent disorder during a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex.

Shaun Thompson, 38, used or threatened unlawful violence near The Bell Hotel in Epping on 17 July.

Protests were staged there during the summer after a migrant living at the hotel was charged with and later jailed for sexual offences.

Thompson, of Westen Avenue, Epping Forest, had already admitted criminally damaging a police vehicle by punching it at a previous hearing.

Essex Police said fireworks were let off and eggs were thrown at officers at the hotel on the day of the protest.

The force described the protest as initially being peaceful before disorder broke out among a few people.

At least eight of its officers were injured that evening, the force also said.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper previously said those responsible would "feel the full force of the law".

"If you were one of the individuals responsible for damage, particularly towards my officers and vehicles, you can expect a knock on your door," he added.

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