Gary Watts, Anthony Webster and Simon Reeve
A further four members of the English Defence League (EDL) have been found guilty of violent disorder during a bloody demonstration in Birmingham city centre.
Following a trial, the jury convicted Adrian Rimmel, 50, of Swallow Avenue, Smithswood, Simon Reeve, 43, of London Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, Gary Watts, 29, of Parsoles Avenue, Dagenham, Essex and Anthony Webster, 38, of Strathmore Crescent, Newcastle, of the offence on July 20, 2013.
Footage from the incident – which included demonstrators trying to use a portaloo as a weapon against cops – was shown to the jury.
His Honour Judge Richard Bond adjourned their case for pre-sentence reports to be drawn up, but he warned them a prison sentence was inevitable.
Granting the four bail, he said: “Do not think because I have adjourned this case for pre-sentence reports anything other than an immediate custodial sentence will follow. You know how serious this offence is and I am taking this violent disorder very seriously. The starting point (for sentence) is a quite lengthy custodial sentence,”
At the end of the trial, in which the jury viewed police footage from the demonstration, Judge Bond told the panel that around 50 EDL members would face sentence next month for offences committed during the same incident.
On the day of the disturbances in July 2013 demonstrators clashed with police officers, who were pelted with bottles, bricks and cans.
Last month, in the same court, Thomas Wilkie, aged 22, of Kent Road, Wednesbury, Shane Williams, 26, of Dragon Lane, Leicester and Andrew Edge, 44, of Wellington Road, Stockport, were also convicted by a jury of violent disorder.
Edge, who asked to be remanded into custody, chanted “EDL, EDL” as he was led down to cells. Judge Bond told jurors at the time: “Well there you go, resounding confirmation the verdict you returned was the correct one.”