Two women admit police assaults at migrant protest

Two women have admitted assaulting police officers during an anti-migrant protest.

Hundreds of demonstrators turned up at the former Haslar naval base in Gosport, Hampshire, on Tuesday, believing that a group of asylum seekers would be landing after being picked up in the Channel.

Sally Pearson, 31 caused ligament damage to an officer when she punched him, and Shannon Dodds, 32, sprayed an unknown substance into the officers' faces, Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard.

They are both due to be sentenced on 15 October.

Hampshire Police deployed officers to the town on Tuesday evening "to help facilitate peaceful protest, ensure the safety of the local community and support partners in the event of any emergency at sea".

A total of 51 migrants were ultimately taken to Dover after their boat, which had travelled to the UK from France, was intercepted.

Pearson, of Forton Road in Gosport, pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a police officer and one count of racially aggravated intentional harassment.

The court heard she punched an officer, hitting his hand and causing ligament damage. The officer will be off duty for four weeks. She was released on conditional bail.

Dodds, of Leonard Road in Gosport, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting two police officers.

The court heard she had been dressed in black and was wearing a face mask and sunglasses during the protest, and sprayed an unknown substance into officers' faces and eyes.

The district judge, Anthony Callaway, was shown video footage of Dodds standing in front of a row of officers in a way that he described as "threatening".

She was refused bail and was remanded in custody.

On Wednesday, Toby Matthews, 33, also of Forton Road, was charged with common assault of an emergency worker. He has been bailed to appear in court on 9 November.

A 19-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, both from Salisbury, who were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass have been bailed with conditions until 22 December while inquiries continue.

A 67-year-old man from Gosport was given a fixed penalty notice for driving without due care and attention, police said.

He was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and has been bailed with conditions until 22 December.