31 men from across the country, aged between 18 and 59, have been given sentences totalling 60 years and eight months for their part in the 2012 disorder which broke out in Walsall following an English Defence League demonstration.

Over 600 supporters of the EDL held a demonstration in the town centre on 29 September last year. A counter demonstration was also held nearby by the Unite Against Fascism group. Police officers had to keep the two groups apart.

A number of officers and EDL stewards were injured when the atmosphere turned hostile and supporters of the EDL threw missiles at the police.

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Bristol EDL division denounces the jailing of its members Ben Banfield and Les Silk

Last week the Bristol Post reported that police were investigating threats, posted on the Facebook page of the English Defence League’s Bristol division, to burn down a building that a local Muslim association is proposing to convert into a mosque.

Chelsea White of Bristol EDL was quoted as indignantly denying that their members had anything to do with it. “A lot of people claim to be EDL without ever having attended a meeting or demonstration”, she told the Post. “Comments like those you are referring to also upset real members, as it reflects on us.”

As we have pointed out, although the EDL in fact has no formal membership the individuals who posted the inflammatory comments on Bristol division’s Facebook page all have links to the organisation, and their calls for violence undoubtedly reflect the views of many of its supporters. Indeed, one of the comments calling for an arson attack on the proposed mosque was “liked” by EDL Bristol division itself.

As for the “real members” of Bristol EDL who attend demonstrations and according to Chelsea White find threats of violence upsetting, this week two of them have been jailed for their part in a riot that took place during an EDL protest in Walsall last year – in the course of which police were pushed, punched and kicked by a mob who threw missiles including bricks, bottles, coins and broken wood from street furniture and pub tables.

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Eight men were jailed by a judge yesterday, while an 18-year-old who was a youth at the time was spared an immediate prison term.

It follows prison sentences on Monday for seven men who took part in the same protest. More thugs were being sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

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A judge has slammed “mob violence” as he jailed seven men who took part in an English Defence League demonstration in Walsall. They were the first of 32 people appearing for sentence after violent disorder hit the town centre last September, leaving police officers and demonstrators injured.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard trouble flared between the 600 EDL supporters and 200 members of the United Against Racism movement, who were holding a counter demonstration.

Mr David Bennett, prosecuting, said police saw pages from the Koran being burnt along with a Pakistan flag while there were also abusive and racist chants from EDL supporters. Placards were also being carried, with one reading “Our Walsall will not be part of Pakistan,” he said.

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Thirty two men will appear in court this week to be sentenced after violence erupted at an English Defence League demonstration in Walsall last year. Over a period of four days the defendants will all appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court for their final hearing, after being convicted of violent disorder earlier this year.

The men were arrested and charged following an investigation by West Midlands Police Force CID following violence in Walsall town centre on September 29, 2012. A series of operations were staged across the country to arrest people suspected of involvement in the disorder, which broke out when members of the protest group tried to break through police lines.

A further 17 men have already appeared before magistrates where they have been sentenced for crimes ranging from public order offences to criminal damage.

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