Anti-asylum protester who shoved police is jailed
Essex PoliceA protester who shoved a police officer during demonstrations outside an asylum hotel has been jailed for more than two years.
Phillip Curson was part of an "aggressive mob" gathered by The Bell Hotel in Epping on 17 July 2025, prosecutors said.
Police body-worn footage showed the 53-year-old making threats to someone that they would get "smashed up" if they returned to the west Essex town.
Curson, from Upminster, east London, was sentenced to 27 months in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court earlier, having been convicted of violent disorder in April.
He becomes the eighth person to be sentenced for their role in the clashes that day, and the seventh to be jailed.
The arrest - and subsequent jailing - of asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu for sexual offences triggered the initially peaceful protest at 16:00 BST.
However, jurors heard the arrival of counter-demonstrators sparked clashes at 17:30.
Curson, of Brookmans Park Drive, was filmed shoving a police officer and hurling abuse at someone off-camera.
"You fat pig behind the old bill... You big fat pig. You come back to Epping, you're getting smashed up," he shouted.
Essex Police said seven officers were injured during the disorder and missiles were thrown at them, while vans were also damaged.
Prosecutor Sam Willis previously described Epping being turned into "a scene of disorder and chaos".
Defending Curson during the trial, Stefan Bisson said he acted "in the heat of everything" and in self-defence.
Essex PoliceThree other protesters were jailed in October, while Lee Gower, 43, and 38-year-old Shaun Thompson, both from Epping, were sentenced earlier in June.
Aaron Elles, 28, from Harlow, also received a prison sentence of one year and eight months in October.
Luke Fleming, 22, of Thaxted Road in Buckhurst Hill, was given a suspended prison term of one-year and nine months in June.
Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.