Rioter who spat at police is jailed for six years after Kill the Bill protest

A woman who hit police officers, spat at them and threw objects during the Kill the Bill protest in Bristol has been jailed for nearly six years. Francesca Horn was convicted following a trial at Bristol Crown Court in April.

The 25-year-old, from Montpelier, Bristol, admitted a charge of violent disorder, but denied a charge of rioting, and was sentenced to five years and 10 months today (June 24). She is the nineteenth person to be held responsible for offences committed during the riot outside Bridewell Police Station on 21 March last year.

Horn was captured on CCTV and police body cameras spitting at officers on multiple occasions and kicking their shields. She was also seen throwing objects, including a police shield, at them and pulling a wing mirror off a police van.

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To date, the fifteen people jailed in connection with the riot have been imprisoned for a total of 57 years and 11 months.

Avon and Somerset Police Detective Superintendent James Riccio, the senior investigating officer, said: “Horn repeatedly directed vile verbal abuse at officers throughout the course of the incident and spat at them several times. Her disgusting behaviour then escalated to physical abuse as she kicked at officers’ shields, attacked them with a wooden stick and threw objects at them.”

Supt Riccio added: “Horn denied she was part of a group which used or threatened violence which caused others to fear for their safety but the evidence we presented to the jury was clear and they ultimately agreed she was guilty of riot.”

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