Woman jailed for involvement in ‘terrifying’ mob

Lisa Bishop, from Lawrence Weston, was sentenced to 26 months in prison

Avon and Somerset Police Mugshot of Lisa Bishop. She has dark hair which is tied back and blue eyes. She is pictured looking straight at the camera with a blank expression. — Lisa Bishop, from Lawrence Weston, was sentenced to 26 months in prison

A mother-of-five who was part of a “terrifying” mob outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for 26 months.

Lisa Bishop, of Lawrence Weston, Bristol, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after her involvement in an anti-immigration protest in the city on 3 August.

The 38-year-old was in a “prominent” position during the ordeal, during which she threw a can and shouted verbal abuse.

During the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, Judge Martin Picton said the group she was part of caused “considerable fear” to those being housed at the Mercure hotel.

“Those residing in the hotel who were the target of this anger must have been terrified,” he said.

On the night of the disorder, only a small cycle police team equipped with police vests and cycle helmets had been deployed to the hotel, the court was told.

They did not have riot gear and were at risk of being overwhelmed by “general mayhem” due to the number of protesters and counter-protestors.

‘Agitated and aggressive’

Judge Picton told Bishop: “You were at the forefront, gesturing and shouting at the police as you drank more alcohol.”

He added that the group became “increasingly agitated and aggressive”, and her actions contributed to the situation.

“There was genuine fear among those police officers,” he said.

The officers in front of the group called for assistance when they became outnumbered, with just two or three officers standing between the two groups.

Mr Picton said the officers showed “remarkable bravery”.

The court heard the cost to the city of the protest was “£385,000 and growing”.

The court also heard Bishop has said she is “disgusted and ashamed at her behaviour”.

The sentencing of Jamie Easterbrook and Elly-Jayne Cox have been adjourned

Avon and Somerset Police Mugshot of Jamie Easterbrook and Elly-Jayne Cox. Jamie Easterbrook is on the left. He has short brown hair and facial hair. He is looking directly at the camera with a blank expression. Elly-Jayne Cox is on the right. She has long dark hair tied up in a bun. She is looking directly at the camera with a blank expression — The sentencing of Jamie Easterbrook and Elly-Jayne Cox have been adjourned

Jamie Easterbrook, 43, from Bristol, was also jailed for 20 months for violent disorder.

The sentencing of Joseph Bradford, 20, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was adjourned to 20 September for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

The case of Elly-Jayne Cox, 33, from Bristol, was also adjourned until 1 October.

She has also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

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