A 42-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court in connection with violent disorder during recent anti-migrant demonstrations.
Del Leon Somerville, from Paulsgrove, faced charges of violent disorder and assaulting a police officer. He did not enter a plea during the hearing and is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 16 September.
Prosecutor Lucy Paddick told the court that Somerville was accused of throwing a bottle toward a line of officers and shouting an expletive during the unrest. He also allegedly kicked a police officer, making contact with the officer’s right thigh.
The incident took place on 6 September at Eastney Marina, where hundreds of demonstrators blocked roads to prevent coaches carrying 120 migrants from leaving Portsmouth. The migrants had crossed the English Channel in a dinghy. Police were deployed to the area as the protest continued into the early hours of Monday.
Hampshire Police reported that several vehicles, including those belonging to the force, the coastguard, and Border Force, were damaged during the disruption. A small number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, but no serious harm was reported.
Meanwhile, a large police presence remains in central Portsmouth as several hundred anti-migrant protesters march, while counter-demonstrators holding banners supporting refugees have gathered nearby.
Hampshire Police warned that individuals wearing face coverings during the protest could face arrest. The force invoked powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2025 to protect peaceful protest while preventing violence. These measures applied to a designated area from 10:00 BST on Saturday through 10:00 on Sunday.
Similar restrictions on face coverings have been implemented by Staffordshire Police for a planned demonstration in Tamworth and by Northumbria Police in Newcastle city centre.
The Portsmouth disorder followed a separate anti-migrant protest at the Port of Dover the previous day.
I’m shocked a bottle throw and a kick resulted in immediate remand. I guess the court saw it as serious enough to warrant keeping him in custody until trial.
Another boat crossing, another media circus. When does this cycle actually end for everyone involved?
Face covering bans seem like a blunt instrument. Does this actually prevent crime, or just inconvenience peaceful protesters?
Was he actually convicted? The article just says he was remanded and hasn’t entered a plea yet.
Violence never helps anyone. Sending prayers to the officers who were attacked while just doing their jobs.