A former soldier who was “kettled” by riot police during the violent G20 protest hurled his rucksack at police lines after spending five hours penned in near the Bank of England.
Jobless lorry driver William Harvey, 44, of Argyl Avenue, Hounslow, admitted using threatening behaviour towards police officers in Cornhill, in the City, on April 1.
Harvey’s lawyer Niall Hearty told City of London Magistrates’ Court: “He is particularly embarrassed because previously he was trained in defusing volatile situations having served in Northern Ireland.”
Harvey was the only one of 27 defendants appearing on G20-related charges to plead guilty.
Prosecutor Edmund Hall told the court: “Harvey was seen by a police evidence gatherer and recorded on CCTV throwing a rucksack over police lines. It landed in an empty space.
“He was about 10 rows back at the time and not in the melee and when he was arrested about four hours later said he was frustrated and threw the rucksack containing a towel and his wallet.
Mr Hearty said: “He intended to take part in a peaceful gathering that day, but found himself penned in by the Bank of England.
“He found it very frustrating. He was kettled in for five hours with large numbers of people and was unable to go to the toilet.”
Harvey, like many other demonstrators, claimed he was the victim of police brutality.
“Another protestor was struck by a police officer and as he bent down to assist he was struck by the police,” explained Mr Hearty.
“He is the only defendant who has pleaded guilty today and taken responsibility for his actions. He was not intending to hurt any police officers. It was an act of sheer frustration.”
Harvey was bound over to keep the peace for 12 months in the sum of £250 and ordered to pay £50 costs last Friday.
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