Yahoo News Shocking moment protester pushes police officer down stairs during demonstration to 'protect statues' in Westminster
A man who injured a female police officer by shoving her down stairs during a demonstration aimed at “defending statues” is facing jail.
Jamie Dewing, 31, was caught on camera throwing items including a metal barrier at Metropolitan Police lines and spitting at officers during clashes in central London on June 13.
He attacked Pc Jodie Jackson after “squaring up” to police near to the Nelson Mandela statue in Parliament Square, pushing her down stairs so she land hard on her back.
The officer now requires physiotherapy after injuring her neck and back in the fall, the Met said.
Dewing had travelled to London that day from his home in North Yorkshire to join the demonstration, which was a reaction to the Black Lives Matters movement toppling of statues featuring those involved in the slave trade.
The protest organisers said they were aiming “defend statues” in London, including of Winston Churchill, but the event quickly descended into violence towards police from some of the crowd.
At around 1pm, Dewing squared up to officers who were attempting to control crowds near the Mandela statue, where he shoved the officer.
Dewing’s image was among CCTV stills circulated by Scotland Yard following the disorder, leading to his identification by Cleveland Police.
He appeared at Teesside magistrates court last week to plead guilty to assaulting an emergency service worker and violent disorder.
Detective Constable Nicky Dixon, who is investigating the disorder, said: “Dewing initially denied that he was the man responsible for pushing one of our colleagues, claiming that it was someone else.
“However, he quickly changed his mind when he was in the dock, admitting both charges against him.
“Footage from nearby police shows the force he used to push the officer – his actions were completely reprehensible.”
Detective Constable Dixon urged the public to look through images released by police of those involved in the disorder and help identify more suspects.
Dewing, from Saltburn-by-the-sea, has been remanded in custody until sentencing at Southwark crown court on a date to be set.
