Man in court following anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth – BBC News
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Man in court following anti-migrant protests
Image caption: Police officers were deployed to Portsmouth on 6 September.
By Stephen Stafford
South of England
Published 19 minutes ago
A man accused of throwing a bottle at police during disorder at an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth has appeared in court.
Police attended Eastney Marina on 6 September after hundreds of demonstrators blocked roads in an attempt to stop coaches carrying 120 migrants, who had crossed the Channel in a dinghy, from leaving the city.
Del Leon Somerville, 42, from Paulsgrove appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court charged with:
- Violent disorder
- Assauling a police officer
He was remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 16 September.
Somerville did not enter any plea during his appearance.
Prosecutor Lucy Paddick told the court he was accused of throwing a bottle towards a police line during the protests. He was also allegedly heard shouting an expletive as the bottle was thrown.
He was further accused of kicking out at a police officer, making contact with his right thigh.
Image source: PA
Image caption: Del Leon Somerville appeared before Portsmouth magistrates.
Groups from South Coast Patriots are expected to demonstrate in Portsmouth city centre later, and Stand Up To Racism to host a counter protest.
Hampshire Police has warned that protesters wearing face coverings could face arrest.
The force said it would use the powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2025 to "allow peaceful protest and prevent violence".
These powers will apply to anyone involved in protests within a map area designated by police between 10:00 BST Saturday and 10:00 Sunday.
Staffordshire Police also said it would ban the use of face coverings at a planned protest in Tamworth on Saturday, where Britain First has said it will carry out a so-called March for Remigration.
Northumbria Police has a similar ban in place in Newcastle city centre.
Hampshire Police previously said several of its vehicles, alongside those of the coastguard and Border Force, were damaged during the disruption in Eastney, which lasted until the early hours of Monday.
The force added that a small number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, but no-one in attendance was seriously injured.
The disorder in Portsmouth followed a separate anti-migrant protest at the Port of Dover the day before.
