Female Kill the Bill rioter who attacked police and threw missile at officers becomes 19th protester to be jailed over Bristol unrest as she is sentenced to three years in prison
- Charly Pitman was convicted of riot after a Bristol Kill the Bill protest last year
- The protest on March 21 2021 outside Bridewell Police Station became violent
- The 24-year-old hit and kicked an officer and threw a missile at the police line
- Ms Pitman has been jailed for three years for the part she played in the chaos
A woman who attacked police and threw missiles at a police line has become the 19th person to be jailed for rioting after a Bristol Kill the Bill protest last year descended into chaos.
Charly Pitman, 24, denied wrongdoing after the event turned into an attack on police outside Bridewell Police Station on March 21 last year.
A jury convicted her today of riot after deliberating for just over an hour.
Pitman, from Easton, appeared at Bristol Crown Court supported by a large contingent of family and friends.
Judge Julian Lambert jailed her for three years, saying: ‘You could and should have left the scene of major public disorder, but you chose to stay and turned to violence.
Charly Pitman (pictured), 24, was convicted after a little over an hour of the jury deliberating her case, making her the 19th person to be jailed for rioting after a Bristol Kill the Bill protest descended into chaos last year
‘You were in the forefront of a violent attack on police officers striking police shields, hitting out at police officers and then hitting and kicking a police officer.
‘You were then seen to throw a missile at the police line.
‘Your response to pleas for peaceful protest was abusive.
‘You were to be heard encouraging the crowd to confront the police.’
Emily Heggadon, prosecuting, said the riot traumatised officers and caused high-value damage to police property.
She said Pitman, a woman of previous good character, made no comment when interviewed.
Nerida Harford-Bell, defending, said her client had done voluntary work in the community.
Miss Harford-Bell said: ‘She watched the footage of herself.
‘There was no doubt she was deeply ashamed and embarrassed by what she did.’
Miss Harford-Bell said her client’s offending was short-lived and during daylight hours.
She described Pitman as an ‘extremely vulnerable young woman’ who had contended with anxiety and depression.
The court heard that on the day in question Pitman had not gone out to join the Kill the Bill protest, but it followed a London vigil following the death of Sarah Everard.
Police officers battle with rioters during the Kill the Bill protest in Bristol city centre in March last year
A vandalised police van explodes outside Bridewell Police Station after protesters set it on fire during the riot on March 21 last year
Miss Harford-Bell said: ‘She was supporting women’s rights generally to be on the street.’
Miss Harford-Bell added that her client was not a danger to anyone.
She urged the judge to consider imposing a prison sentence that could be suspended.
Earlier Detective Superintendent James Riccio said: ‘Charly Pitman may not have used the highest levels of violence but she took up a prominent role at the front of the crowd and her actions undoubtedly escalated tensions and encouraged others to attack police officers.
‘The fact the jury took little more than an hour to convict her highlights how clear her offending was. She denied acting together with others with a common purpose but the jury evidently had no doubt she was guilty of riot.’
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