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A 61-year-old man made threatening gestures at police and chanted “who the f*** is Allah” during large-scale disorder in Whitehall has been jailed for 18 months.
David Spring, of Longfellow Road in Sutton, was part of a group who confronted police officers during a gathering of around 700 people near Downing Street on July 31.
Spring pleaded guilty to violent disorder after footage showed him at the forefront of the crowd while threatening and chanting at officers.
Prosecutor Alexander Agbamu said: "Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo in some circles, organised a demonstration in Whitehall.
“Members of the far-right responded to that call with the seeming intention of replicating scenes seen earlier in the week, precipitated by false information relating to the religion and immigration status of the perpetrator of the Southall murders.”
He said protesters broke out of an enclosed area of Richmond Terrace and towards Whitehall, directing their anger towards police officers.
Spring's role in the disorder was shown on police body worn camera footage in court where he was seen making threatening and hostile gestures towards police, calling officers "c****" and joining in chants of "you're not English anymore" and "who the f*** is Allah".
David Spring pictured shouting at a police officer (Image: Jordan Pettitt) When Spring was arrested on August 8 he told officers: "I didn't go up to London to riot. I went to complain about people put up in hotels."
Defending Spring, Piers Kiss-Wilson said he was a train driver for 42 years, but had recently retired.
He now spends a lot of time for his wife, who has suffered ill-health.
Mr Kiss-Wilson said: "The defendant asked me to put forward his apologies to the court and he says he is embarrassed by his behaviour and he is ashamed by it.”
He said Spring got caught up in the disorder with much younger men.
He added: “He also wants to apologise to his family and friends and his wife who don't deserve this."
David Spring (Image: Met Police) Judge Benedict Kelleher sentenced Spring to 18 months in prison.
He told Spring: “What you did could and it seems did encourage others to engage in disorder.”
Judge Kelleher said a custodial sentence was appropriate in order to deter others from engaging in similar behaviour.
