Ian Ward was seen hitting another man allegedly involved in a right-wing protest as hundreds of counter protesters squared off with the group outside a solicitors’ office.
Ward pleaded guilty to affray, assault by beating and assaulting an emergency worker after being identified from the social media footage by police.
In the video, Ward can be seen pushing a police officer in the back before reaching around another officer to strike the man in the face.
It came as tensions rose between two different groups in Queen’s Road on August 7 in the protests and counter protests that followed the stabbings of girls at a Taylor Swift-themed party in Stockport. False information circulated on social media that the attacker was an illegal migrant and protests followed.
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A hearing at Hove Crown Court today was told that eggs, flour and a snooker ball in a sock were thrown at a small group of around five people who counter-protesters believed to be far-right rioters.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Kris Venkatasami from Crown Prosecution Service South East said: “Anyone taking part in violent disorder can expect to feel the full force of the law – which we apply equally to everyone without fear or favour.
“This defendant attacked a police officer, who was working hard to maintain law and order on the streets of Brighton in the face of two opposing groups. This was a volatile situation, and Ward’s actions had the potential to ignite things further.
“Anyone involved in this sort of activity needs to understand that there are consequences to their behaviour and the Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work with the police and courts to bring those involved to justice.”
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