Two men jailed for role in Bristol disorder

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Benjamin Tavener had been convicted of an animal cruelty charge on top of violent disorder. This has been corrected.

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Two men are today beginning prison sentences for their involvement in August’s disorder in Bristol.

Benjamin Tavener, 35, of Charfield, and Kieran Leach, 21, of Keynsham, were both sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was also sentenced today. He was handed a nine-month intensive referral order at Bristol Youth Court.

All three had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Leach also admitted a charge of assault.

Footage from Saturday 3 August showed Tavener throwing an object during the disorder in Castle Park.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court.

Leach was seen acting aggressively towards police officers and members of the public with footage showing him assaulting a cyclist and also being part of the group throwing punches outside the Mercure Hotel.

He was jailed for 20 months.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert said: “More than 30 people have now been sentenced for their part in the shocking scenes of disorder in Bristol that day.

“We have made it absolutely clear that those responsible would be identified and arrested and that’s what we continue to do with 52 people having been arrested and 43 of those having been charged.”