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VIDEO: Man filmed throwing missiles on English Defence League march in Bristol - court

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Monday, January 28, 2013
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The Bristol Post

A BUSINESSMAN who hurled missiles as he marched through Bristol with the English Defence League handed himself into the authorities when he realised he was a wanted man.

Barry Johnson was one of hundreds of marchers who took part in the high-profile demonstration through the city centre in July last year.

  1. The EDL march in Bristol last July

    The EDL march in Bristol last July

Bristol Crown Court heard how he was caught on film by a cameraman and images were later posted online by Avon and Somerset police in a bid to track him down.

When he saw the images Johnson travelled from his home in Peterborough to admit his involvement in the incident.

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The 29-year-old from Poplar Avenue, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to affray when he appeared in court.

Judge Martin Picton told him: "Throwing missiles is clearly dangerous. Someone could have been hurt."

The judge handed Johnson a three- month prison sentence which was suspended for a year. He also fined him £250 and ordered him to pay £85 towards court costs.

Richard Posner, prosecuting, said: "On July 14 in Bristol there was a demonstration and march by the English Defence League in the centre of Bristol.

"The group was formed in 2009 and it claims to oppose Islamic extremism. It chose to assemble in Bristol and march. That led to tension with United Against Fascism, and there was anticipated to be tension between the two groups."

He added: "Police went to the city centre to quell disorder."

Mr Posner told the court that police filmed Johnson in the thick of the crowd, throwing two missiles in the direction of the UAF supporters with no apparent provocation.

He said it was impossible to say if anyone was struck and there was no other violence taking place at the time of the incident.

The judge was shown the police footage which captured the offence.

Johnson was in the middle of a crowd of jostling and gesticulating EDL marchers.

Mr Posner said: "There was an intention to identify people and the defendant was identified in that way.

"He handed himself in. He had seen himself on the Avon and Somerset police website, which asked Do you know who these people are?"

When Johnson handed himself in police interviewed him but he made no comment about the incident.

His criminal record revealed he had previous convictions for football- related violent disorder.

Johnson represented himself in court but, other than handing the judge a letter, said nothing in his defence. The judge confirmed he had read a pre-sentence report from the probation service which revealed Johnson ran his own business with his brother.

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21 Comments

  • Profile image for Jimenez47

    by Jimenez47

    Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:16PM

    “I've never been to an EDL demo but from what I've seen on the internet they do look like they enjoy getting lagered up. Some football hooliganism? -most probably, but they're not nazis.

    The UAF on the other hand are a group I could imagine myself throwing stuff at (if I were a violent sort) because they are the ones shouting down the debate.

    What you're meant to believe is as exactly as a poster here has demonstrated. That is, Islam is fine, all religions are the same, concerns about anglo-saxons are exaggerated (even though you are pitiful). Move along now, nothing to see here...”

  • Profile image for BedmoBanjo

    by BedmoBanjo

    Thursday, January 31 2013, 11:37AM

    “Well glad to see there's absolutely no concession in you whatsoever.

    TBH Pal I do see everything as rosy, what with being born, raised and educated in one of the top 1st world nations. I will probably live to 70-80, I have a state education which is actually worth something, I have clean water and decent sanitation, I have a political system that allows me to express myself freely, I have a press that isn't restricted, I have human rights, I have access to a free health system, I have no restrictions on my movement, I have the right to practice what faith I choose, I will never face drought or famine, I am innoculated against some of the most deadly diseases around. What, when you look at that list, is there to be concerned about?

    From my perspective your "concerns" are truly pitiful. We're a nation that ruled the biggest empire in all human history, our international influence is enormous, we continue to rule the world with our cousins in the US. Please, please appreciate your security from threat could be no higher, you are literally at the cutting edge of human civilization, to think that could be in anyway destroyed by "muslim extremes" is total hog-wash. You don't know the realities, you don't know the facts, you don't see the woods for the trees.

    Your comments about "unfashionable anglo-saxons" is essentially the litany of unsuccessful idiots. The leading men of this nation are white, just because you're not one of them doesn't mean it's a race conspiracy, it just means you didn't utilise the enormous advantage you had by being born British. A good 80% of this nation still consider themselves white anglo-saxon, you're not being bred out, you're not being marginalised, you're still the dominant racial group of this nation and will forever remain so.

    And again, the fact that you compare a religious minority you fear and denigrate to the nazis is beyond foolish. The nazis were white supremacists who blamed a religious minority for the nations loss of finance and prestige. By that definition who are the nazis here?

    Seriously mate, cheer up, life is good, you're not under any threat, I think all religion is silly cause it antagonises foolish people. For that matter how do you feel about fundamental christians? I find those peoples' views mental - I do not insist they're deported because it is a human right to free religious practice, even if I think it's stupid, they're free to be scientologists, mormons or plymouth brethren if they so choose.

    Olu Deniz - Turkey, get a cheap flight, check out all the young un-married, secular muslim couples wandering around in swim wear, drinking and smoking, probably having a cheeky bacon sandwich. Get some perspective, not every Muslim is an illiterate goat herd from the Swat Valley. How and who would you allow to adjuciate muslims for "extremeness"? Sounds suspiciously like a pogrom to me mate.

    As for intergration, may I assume you'd be happy for your daughters to marry non-anglo-saxons? Or is it just a one way street, asian women should marry white men?

    Good luck.”

  • Profile image for BlueFace

    by BlueFace

    Thursday, January 31 2013, 12:47AM

    “@ BedmoBanjo.

    I'm only talking of the 'cuckoo' element and if you stopped being so patronising,whilst boringly clambering up the intellectual high ground you might notice.

    If left alone long enough,Islam would challenge the C of E,of course it would.

    But that would take years and before that there would be areas where eg all women would have to cover up or what have you.This has got nothing to do with the C of E,who by the way put absolutely no pressure on its 'flock' to go to church,or pray etc.Old fashioned and perhaps slow to 'get hip' (want for a better expression) the C of E does things like eg change the time for Holy Communion',so people can watch England play in the World Cup at in S Korea or Japan.

    The point is areas of the UK would become Islamic and just look how they run the Islamic countries.

    I would say "extreme" also means what they would like to see introduced,but for the time being don't mention.Apart from that eg all the anti freedom for women.Their disgust at gay people.Their awful sense of humour,threatening to kill people who may take the mickey.We do that in the UK,it is our culture!).The punishments they dish out.Can a English bloke (you know,a good old fashioned definately unfashionable Anglo Saxon white working class type eg) marry a Muslim woman without becoming Muslim?If not then this is wrong and anti intergration,although perhaps not a massive problem or extreme,i believe it has no place in the UK.Etc.

    You mention the Muslim people who do not want the Sharia,well agreed they are many and I agree with them.I also agree with them fighting against any threat of the Sharia being established.So do you judging by what you've typed.I mean if it's good enough for them,then it's good enough for you?Oh and by the way,plenty of Turkish women know their place,don't they.I've worked and known plenty of Turks and Kurds.They have clearly been brought up in a country where thy have not really been encouraged to have too many individual thoughts.But I take your point that they appear no threat and I agree with you,as I said,it is only the "cuckoo element" that I think need dealing with.

    I want the Sharia,the cuckoo element out of the UK because I find it a disgusting life style and a threat to other UK life styles and cultures.They bully other people.They are as bad as the Nazi.I can't stand em.

    Now,try not to get your middle class Liberal knickers in a twist everytime someone suggests it is not quite so rosy in the garden as you like to pretend it s.It does not mean that person lacks tolerance and it is not really a starting gun for you to go running up towards your silly moral and intellectual high ground.In my case it means I don't want to have bullies around who will given half the chance change the Uk for the worse.

    Yep,it's all things bright and beautiful around your way isn't it ,which kind of makes you and your fashionable left wing twaddle unrealistic and hypocritical.”

  • Profile image for BedmoBanjo

    by BedmoBanjo

    Wednesday, January 30 2013, 5:02PM

    “@Blue face - assuming you're literally blue in the face. Erm, liberal middle class - yeah alright I'll take that. Secretly Sharia?! You my friend are mental and paranoid.

    Right here's a quick rundown of why you're talking sh*te.

    1. This nation is becoming increasingly apostate of any faith. We are barely interested in our own church of england so the thought that the law of a minority religion could some how overtake one of the oldest and most respected legal systems in the world is totally and utterly unfounded, impossible and ridiculous. Its not me being "bright and beautiful" I'm just aware of reality. What exactly are the tiny minority of genuine adherents of Sharia going to do to dislodge this monument of a legal system? Blow up all the legal books? Kidnap all the judges? Stone solicitors?! You're on your ar*e.

    2. How or what do you define as "extreme" islam? Do they go to the x-games? Having had the briefest interest in the diversity of Islam I can tell you there are a million different sects (exactly like christianity or judaism) and they are all varyingly stupid (exactly like all other religions) I note you keep using the term. So please, enlighten me with your knowledge. Extreme islam is - Sufism? Sunni? Shi'ite? Alawites? Devshirm? What? Who are these nazi-muslims you speak of and where do they hail from? THE MOON!?

    3. Sharia law and the muslim community. You know how we're currently fighting a war in Afghanistan to stop sharia law? Well, why do so many Muslims in afghanistan want to fight Sharia law and the taliban? BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT SHARIA LAW EITHER!!! Go to Turkey or anywhere else not currently being bombed by western states and you will find...nothing. Peaceable people getting on with thier lives who happen to practice a faith you're ignorant and fearful of. Sharia law isn't popular within most Muslim countries and indeed is very rarely practised BECAUSE an awful lot of muslim states used to be british colonies and they held onto our legal code BECAUSE they liked it! Just read up on Turkish history in general mate as it will blow your tiny mind.

    4. You want sharia and "extreme" Islam out of the UK because you don't like nazis. The fact you're asking for a religious minority to be restricted or removed because THEY'RE the nazis is probably the ripest peice of idiot-irony I've come across in a while. Bravo.

    In sum: You mentioned "reasonably minded people" I think it's somewhat rich to include yourself in that group. Get to filling your bunker for the nazi-muslim storm trooper invasion you fantasist. I'll keep my bright and beautiful mindset. Peace.”

  • Profile image for BlueFace

    by BlueFace

    Wednesday, January 30 2013, 4:20PM

    “@ BedmoBanjo.

    I agree the EDL are a Nazi group and I don't want anything to do with em.

    I do speak to Muslims.I have a mate who teaches the Koran,he told me war was coming actually.He is a very civilised chap,a family man.I speak to many different types of people.I've walked,sang and protested against the far right and for the CND,i have gay mates,black mates,working class white mates,posh mates,people with sympathy for the right,people who lean to the left,i've travelled etc.You know,i know people.Normal with some experience.

    The Sharia and extreme Islam stuff has no place in the UK.

    I suspect you have either not looked at the Sharia and extreme stuff in Islam and you are a silly middle class Liberal type,who insists all things are bright and beautiful until it actually effects you.

    That or your'e lieing and you are a believer in the Sharia.

    All reasonably minded people in the UK will not tolerate this **** and there is no reason why we should.

    Extreme Islam is on par with the Nazi.

    Get it out of the UK!”

  • Profile image for BedmoBanjo

    by BedmoBanjo

    Wednesday, January 30 2013, 11:17AM

    “@BlueFace - you assume wrong. I'd equate the EDL with nazis. They've singled out a minority religion, they're blaming every possible issue they can think of on them, they make it a matter of "us" and "them" - literally exactly like the nazis did. You're a gullible fool. If you think your some how defending Britain from Nazis you couldn't be more wrong. Read a book, speak to a muslim, do something to get better information cause at the moment you couldn't be more wrong. Best wishes.

    @Oddly - As I said, not good at all. Still, not limited to Muslims in anyway and personally, I find it scary that you're defending the EDL who, I daresay, are some of the worst homophobes you could hope to meet. Whatever you think is best, I'm not gay or religious, so, I can't provide much of an opinion.”

  • Profile image for BlueFace

    by BlueFace

    Tuesday, January 29 2013, 3:57PM

    “@ BedmoBanjo.

    well you will be correct in that I have not made a serios study of extreme Islam in the UK.

    But,any organisation as evil as the Nazi movement deserves to be stopped,whether it is 500 people or 50,000 people.

    We know this 'way of life' cannot be successfully intergrated into the UK.
    I'm well enough informed for that one.

    Anyway,an evil extreme Islamic organisation of as little as 50 or as many as 50,000 should be stopped.

    I assume you agree with that.”

  • Profile image for Oddly

    by Oddly

    Tuesday, January 29 2013, 1:10PM

    “@bedmobanjo/blues
    As a homosexual the rise in the number of UK citizens who believe the law of god is higher than the law of man, is my concern. And I see symptoms of it manifesting itself here -
    http://tinyurl.com/cmt2sme
    and here -
    http://tinyurl.com/b7mho3n
    Crimes carried out by this group used to bemuch rarer. But now the group is bigger.”

  • Profile image for BedmoBanjo

    by BedmoBanjo

    Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:17AM

    “@ Oddly. Classic. My minority group is being prejudiced upon, thus I must hold prejudice against the other minority group. Absolutely classic failed logic. Yes I have seen those videos and whilst it is very sad, I don't think that behaviour is in anyway limited to one minority group. I can't think of one religion that is actively supportive of homosexuality. Go down Golders Green and see what a hassidic jew makes of a gay couple. Go to the midwest and see what Dutch Amish make of a gay couple. It's sad, I'm not religious and don't agree with it but I can't see how one group of religious sorts are any different to another when it comes to abusing gay rights. You seem to think Muslims are the main offenders. Pretty sure your sweet old dear who goes to church every sunday might also harbour some abhorent opinions on gayness. Not really the same debate - I'm talking about race relations your talking about religion and homosexuality - I totally agree with your point but if you let that annoyance prejudice your opinion of a whole religion and it's believers then I'd say you've created your own bigotry.

    @ Blueface. Fair enough if you think that, in my opinion you're talking uninformed twaddle though. Based on sketchy conjecture and some sort of desire to be marginalised.”

  • Profile image for BlueFace

    by BlueFace

    Monday, January 28 2013, 7:29PM

    “@bristolGuy.

    I think it quite likely certain areas,poorish areas will become Sharia to a greater or lesser extent.Banks and Goverments don't give a toss about such places.You can see the begginings at eg Birmingham.These areaswill become a no go zone for non Islamic extreme types.I mean this could happen,as I said,take a look at parts of Birmingham.Do you live in a 'nice' area by chance?

    I want to say I have no problem with the non extreme Muslim people or an other peoples of our islands.I believe we are a island race,we are the four majority peoples of Scottish,Welsh,N Irish and English.then all the other peoples and religions who have joined us and become British.

    I will almost certainly vote ~Labour next time around.

    Buti,i am scared of the Sharia and what it might do to the UK,a place I love by the way.

    If I am wrong,then I am most certainly open to hearing why.”

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