Dad-of-two jailed after kicking cop in the back during violent protests

A dad-of-two who kicked a cop in the back during violent protests in Westminster has been jailed.

Daniel Allan, 35, knocked the officer to the ground, but was later spotted in the crowd due to his "distinctive appearance" - a pair of luminous yellow shorts.

Southwark Crown Court heard that Allan had travelled from his home in Sunderland to attend demonstrations in London, in which groups of right-wing protesters sought to "protect statues" around Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.

The demonstrations took place following Black Lives Matter marches.

Prosecutor Nicholas Alexander said there had been "running battles throughout the day"; between police and demonstrators in central London.

"Protesters were throwing items, liquids and abuse at officers," he said.

The court was shown footage of the incident on June 13 2020, which was captured from multiple angles and shared widely on social media.

In it Allan, who is shirtless and wearing brightly coloured shorts, runs at the officer from behind and launches a "running flying kick".

Mr Alexander said that Allan's actions had "emboldened other protesters to move forward and attack police officers".

"He had drunk eight cans of lager and become angry after he had been hit by a police officer with a baton," he said.

Mr Alexander added that Police Sergeant Richard Lambert, the victim of the attack, said that the incident had added "another level of subconscious angst" to his already stressful job.

Allan had admitted one count of violent disorder against a police officer.

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