Man in court following anti-migrant protests
Del Leon Somerville has appeared in court charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police officer during an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth. Authorities are implementing new powers to ban face coverings at upcoming demonstrations to prevent further violence.
Why it matters
The use of new policing powers to manage protests reflects the government's attempt to balance public order with the right to demonstrate amidst rising social tensions.
Image caption, Police officers were deployed to Portsmouth on 6 September
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 and assaulting 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 appearannce.
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.
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