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Two women sentenced for assaulting police officers during Gosport protest
Overview
Two women have received suspended jail sentences at Portsmouth Crown Court after admitting to assaulting police officers during an anti-migrant protest in Gosport, Hampshire. The demonstration took place on 22 September outside the former Haslar naval base following reports that asylum seekers would be brought ashore.
Key points
- Sally Pearson, 31, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for a year, after punching a police officer and causing ligament damage, as well as admitting to racially aggravated harassment.
- Shannon Dodds, 32, received a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, after spraying personal attack deterrent spray into the faces of police officers.
- The protest gathered hundreds of demonstrators at the former Haslar naval base believing asylum seekers were arriving after being picked up in the Channel.
- Police confirmed that 51 migrants were ultimately taken to Dover after their boat was intercepted.