Man pushed police officer off motorbike at protest

A man who admitted pushing a police officer off his motorcycle during an anti-migrant protest has been warned he faces a jail sentence.

About 200 people gathered near Eastney Marina when a boat carrying about 120 migrants was brought ashore after crossing the Channel at nearby Eastney Beach on 6 September.

Nigel Wylie, 54, from Havant, admitted a charge of violent disorder at Portsmouth Crown Court. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on 27 November.

Seven police officers were injured during the unrest and treated at the scene, while Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged.

Judge Daniel Sawyer said as the protest had descended into disorder, Wylie was within a group that was "screaming abuse and threats at a line of police officers who were trying to do their jobs."

He said: "The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to the British constitution, law, way of life and human rights that we have sent out to the world.

"That right does not extend to acts of violence against those who have made it their business to protect the citizens of this country, namely the police."

He told Wylie that he faces an "immediate term of imprisonment".

So far seven men have been charged in connection with the protest.

Del Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, who has pleaded guilty to violent disorder, is due to be sentenced on Thursday.