Drunk teacher mum who hurled bottles at cops in Tommy Robinson protest avoids jail and is told to set a better example

A DRUNKEN primary school cook who threw bottles at cops at a violent pro-Tommy Robinson protest was spared jail after being told by a judge to think about the example she is setting.

Mum-of-two Kate Beveridge, threw a one litre plastic drinks bottle at police when she was on the protest in central London in June 2018, while others hurled cans, traffic cones and various makeshift missiles.

The 35-year-old, of Singleton in Lancashire, was the only one of several defendants spared jail by Judge Deborah Taylor when they were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.

Sentencing Beveridge, the judge said: "You have two children aged 14 and two for whom you are the sole carer.

"You should think what sort of example you are setting your own children and the children at the primary school by the actions you carried out that day."

Beveridge wiped away tears as she was handed a 15-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service.

Her counsel, Sheryl Nwosu, said: "She expresses not only sorrow but embarrassment and shame. She does not align herself with what went on that day.

You should think what sort of example you are setting your own children and the children at the primary school by the actions you carried out that day.

"She acted on intoxicated impulse … this is a one-off."

Others at the rally included David Anderson, Danny Grealey, Keith O'Sullivan and Robert Sandford were jailed for violent disorder, while Andrew McLean, 20, was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for his role in the melee.

Prosecutor Aska Fujita told the court police had become "overrun" by disorder in the capital from those demanding former EDL leader Robinson's release from prison for contempt of court.

Footage from police bodyworn cameras showed flanks of officers with batons raised coming face to face with Free Tommy Robinson protesters, some of whom lobbed bottles, cones and other missiles.

It turned ugly. The police have been constantly abused, missiles were thrown at them, they have been punched, kicked and had barriers thrown at them.

Chants in support of the former EDL leader rang out during the protest, while snarling demonstrators could be seen on camera shouting "shame on you" at the police, adding "you're not English any more" to the tune of the hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.

At one point the officers were so outnumbered they were forced to retreat to sanctuary at Great Scotland Yard, just off Whitehall, and away from the worst of the violence.

Ms Fujita said: "It turned ugly. The police have been constantly abused, missiles were thrown at them, they have been punched, kicked and had barriers thrown at them.

Ms Fujita said "more than 20" police officers were injured, although nothing more serious than cuts and bruises."

His counsel, Richard Gowthorpe, said Smith was "perhaps ironically" a local government and politics student and was going to take law or Spanish law at university – a career which is now on hold.

The group were the first of 14 defendants due to be sentenced for violent disorder during three hearings at the court.

Robinson was released from Belmarsh prison in south-east London a fortnight ago, two months into his nine-month sentence for contempt of court.

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