A Sunderland man has been convicted of violent disorder after he was caught on camera running up behind a police officer and kicking him in the back.
Daniel John Allan, 35, of Ridley Terrace, Sunderland, admitted one charge of violent disorder when he appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier today, Monday, 15th June 2020.
Violent disorder is an offence under section 2 of the Public Order Act 1986. It is triable either way and has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction; 5 years' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on conviction on indictment.
Allan attended the Black Lives Matters counter-protest in central London on Saturday, 13th June.
The career criminal, who has more than 100 convictions to his name, launched the cowardly attack on Sergeant Richard Lambert, who just happened to be at the rear of a group of officers walking by.
The incident is shown in the footage below:
Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland described how police had been deployed around Westminster to prevent public disorder. Specifically, there were concerns that counter-protestors, who had gathered with the intention of protecting public statues, would clash with Black Lives Matters protestors.
Ms Gatland said: "A small group of officers who were walking in a group through the demonstrators on Bridge Street received verbal abuse and had projectiles thrown at them.
"Suddenly and without provocation Mr Allan kicked out at police Sergeant Richard Lambert in his back with his right foot causing him to fall to the ground.
"This prompted the rest of the group to attack the officers. He was again kicked while picking himself up but that person wasn't arrested.
"Officers circled to protect their colleagues and Mr Allan ran back into the crowd, however he had a distinct appearance and footage of the incident was uploaded and it was circulated.
"Mr Allan was captured after other officers saw the footage and recognised Mr Allan wearing luminous shorts."
Sergeant Lambert's victim impact statement, which was read to the court, said: "I felt an enormous kick to the small of my back, I fell to the floor with immediate pain to the lower back due to the kick."
Eleanor Fraser, mitigating, said: "Mr Allan was struck by a police officer's baton, he showed the mark in interview, which was something of a retaliation but he accepts that it was unjustifiable."
She said that Allan had experienced several panic attacks during his time in police custody, which is quite remarkable given his familiarity with the process.
District Judge Nicholas Rimmer told Allan: "You have pleaded guilty to the matter of violent disorder, the guidelines put the starting point at either three or two years for this serious episode of conduct therefore I commit you for sentence at Southwark Crown Court.
"The seriousness of conduct consists of being part of a wider protest in which missiles were being thrown, you personally kicked out at police sergeant Richard Lambert to his back, that seems to have caused further violence."
Ms Fraser asked that Allan be granted bail so that he could make arrangements for his family.
Rejecting the application, Judge Rimmer said bluntly: "The time to consider family arrangements was before, not after."
Allan was remanded in custody until his sentencing at the Crown Court.
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