Man who threw missiles at police in Bristol riot avoids jail

A 33-year-old man from Bristol has become the 35th person to be sentenced for their involvement in the Bristol riots. Ricky Whitbread, from Brenty, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after launching missiles at police officers during the disorder in August.

Whitbread pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder and was given an 18-month suspended sentence at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, Thursday, October 31.

During the incident outside the Mercure Hotel on Saturday, August 3, Whitbread was filmed on police bodycam footage making threatening gestures towards officers and hurling an object.

Judge James Patrick said he had been involved in a "disgusting and very ugly ordeal" on Saturday 3 August adding that he had multiple opportunities to leave but decided not to.

Detective Inspector Tom Herbert said: “Ricky Whitbread’s behaviour throughout the disorder that day was shameful and he has rightly appeared before the court for sentencing.”

He is now the 35th person to be sentenced for their involvement in the disorder on August 3.