Man sentenced to two years for bottle throwing at Portsmouth migrant protest
Del Somerville becomes first jailed after anti-migrant demonstration near Eastney Marina on 6 September.
What to know
- Del Somerville becomes the first person jailed for offences at the 6 September anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth, receiving a two-year sentence for violent disorder and throwing a bottle at police.
- The judge cited deterrence against future protests and called the sentence necessary to enforce respect for police; four other men await sentencing on similar charges.
- Online reaction is mixed: some support harsh sentencing as a deterrent, while others question whether two years is proportionate for throwing a plastic bottle and swearing.
The dispute Whether a two-year sentence for throwing a bottle and swearing at police is proportionate punishment or excessive compared to sentences handed down for more serious crimes. · positions read across 5 posts and comments
Long sentences for protest violence serve as effective deterrent and are justified.
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“Thug gets two years imprisonment, after 'boat crossing' protest. This is the way to deal with them. Lock them up for years at a time. It works.”
mrmirth.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Two years for throwing a bottle and swearing is disproportionate compared to sentences for more serious offences.
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“I understand that is knobbish behvaiour, but two years for swearing and throwing a plastic bottle?! There are people who done far worse for a suspended sentence.”
potentially__potent · Reddit ↗
Del Somerville DefendantJudge Daniel Sawyer Presiding judgeHelen Easterbrook Defence barrister
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage postscomments
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Social media responses divided on sentence severity
Online reactions ranged from support for tough sentencing as a deterrent to criticism that the two-year sentence was disproportionate for throwing a plastic bottle and swearing, with some arguing others have received lighter sentences for more serious offences.
“Police officers dedicate their lives to the protection of the public regardless of their own views, the very least they can expect is that those who engage in protests treat them with respect and the courts punish those who assault them.”
— Judge Daniel Sawyer, Presiding judge · source -
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First thug sentenced for violent disorder in Portsmouth - two years' sentence
2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
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> "A father-of-two has become the first man jailed following an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth after admitting throwing a plastic bottle and swearing at police." I understand that is knobbish behvaiour, but two years for swearing and throwing a plastic bottle?! There are people who done far worse for a suspended sentence.
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www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Thug gets two years imprisonment, after 'boat crossing' protest. This is the way to deal with them. Lock them up for years at a time. It works.
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background
Del Somerville sentenced to two years for violent disorder — Del Somerville, 42, a father-of-two from Portsmouth, became the first person jailed following the 6 September protest after pleading guilty to violent disorder. He was identified in police body-worn video throwing a plastic bottle and swearing at officers. Judge Daniel Sawyer described him as a "thug" and said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.
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background
Hundreds gather at Eastney migrant protest — An anti-migrant protest drew hundreds of demonstrators to Eastney Beach in Portsmouth after about 120 migrants were brought ashore by the RNLI. The gathering was initially peaceful and lawful, but escalated into violent disorder.
What people are saying 1 voices from 1 site · best of 5 · verbatim
- Sep 25
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Seems £500-1,000 fine worth and/or a community sentence - unpaid work, curfew etc.