Kill the Bill rioter who attacked officer with skateboard and smashed police station window during violent Bristol protest sobs in the dock as she is jailed for five-and-a-half years
A woman who was caught on camera attacking police officers and smashing the window of a police station in Bristol has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.
Mariella Gedge-Rogers, of Clifton, Bristol, was found guilty of rioting by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in February this year.The unanimous verdict convicted Gedge-Rogers of being part of a group which used or threatened violence and, together, caused others to fear for their personal safety.
The 27-year-old was heard sobbing in the dock as she was imprisoned for five and a half years at a hearing on Thursday. She will be expected to serve half her sentence in custody and the other half on licence.
Gedge-Rogers was arrested six days after the riot took place outside the city centre police station on Sunday March 21 2021.
During her trial, footage from officers' body-worn cameras, CCTV and mobile phone footage was played to the court.
In the videos, Gedge-Rogers is seen to hit an officer on the head with a skateboard and throw improvised missiles at other officers from the roof of the police station.
She was also seen repeatedly striking the front window of the station with her skateboard before passing it to a man for him to do the same.
Mariella Gedge-Rogers (pictured), of Clifton, Bristol, was found guilty of rioting by a jury at Bristol Crown Court last month
She was imprisoned for five and a half years at a hearing today, and will be expected to serve half her sentence in custody and the other half on licence.
Gedge-Rogers of Clifton, Bristol, was arrested six days after the riot took place outside the city centre police station on Sunday March 21, 2021.
Footage from officers' body-worn cameras, CCTV and mobile phone footage was played to the court during her trial.
Gedge-Rogers was also seen repeatedly striking the front window of the station with her skateboard before passing it to a man for him to do the same.
The unanimous verdict convicted Gedge-Rogers (pictured) of being part of a group which used or threatened violence and, together, caused others to fear for their personal safety
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As the hearing began, Gedge-Rogers could be heard crying from the dock. She spoke only to confirm her name.
His Honour Judge Patrick said: 'You used your skateboard as a weapon and threw missiles and objects. You also had had a considerable amount of drink.
'Nevertheless, I conclude that your culpability is lessened because of your PTSD. And I bear in mind that it will make the sentence more difficult for you to serve.
'In addition, you have expressed remorse at what you have done and I'm told you're ashamed. People who knew you identify that you have behaved out of character.'
Speaking of the impact of the rioting on police officers, Judge Patrick said: 'The context of your offending was the Kill the Bill protests in March last year, which started peacefully. From 5pm, that changed.
'Vile abuse was directed at the police. Objects and missiles were thrown at them, some from above police vans.
Gedge-Rogers was arrested six days after the riot took place outside the city centre police station on Sunday March 21 2021
'At least one firework was discharged, officers were pulled from their lines. They were physically attacked, some with missiles, some with weapons, and others were struck, spat on, kicked and punched.'
He added: 'Experienced police officers, some with military experience, describe it movingly.
'One with significant services experience described it as one of the most frightening experiences in his career.
A vandalised police van explodes outside Bridewell Police Station after protesters set it on fire during a riot on March 21 last year
'Another said it was ferocious, prolonged and determined violence which caused them to be more scared than ever before.
'"When I got home, I cried. All my life I wanted to be a police officer but after this it made me second-guess everything. It was utterly terrifying, like a warzone", said another.'
Gedge-Rogers is now the 15th person to be sentenced in connection with the riot.
To date, those sentenced have been jailed for a combined total of more than 50 years.
Jasmine York, 26, of Brislington, Bristol, is due to be sentenced on Monday after being convicted of arson.
Riot police, backed by police vans, move down Bristol's Rupert Street during the protest last year
A rioter smashes the windscreen of an already vandalised police van as violence erupted in the city
The 'Kill the Bill' protests in Bristol broke out last March and footage captured protesters clashing with police, armed with batons and pepper spray.
Mounted officers were seen attempting to disperse a large crowd gathered outside Bridewell Police Station.
Later a group of hooded protesters tried to smash the windows of the glass-fronted police station and others set fire to a police van parked in nearby Bridewell Street.
Both demonstrators and police officers were injured as the violence unfolded on March 21, 2021.
An inquiry report by The Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol), from last July claimed that the actions by Avon & Somerset Police 'failed to distinguish between violent and peaceful protesters, leading to the use of force in unjustified situations', described by multiple witnesses as 'revenge policing'.
The report also suggested that officers' 'use of force, ranging from the deployment of dogs, batons, and "blading" (using the edge of a riot shield as a weapon) "was often considered disproportionate"'.
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