Two men jailed for violent disorder at anti-migrant protests outside asylum seeker hotel

Two men have been jailed over violent anti-migrant protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex.

Jonathan Glover, 48, and Charlie Land, 24, were sentenced over their "entirely unacceptable" behaviour outside The Bell Hotel, in Epping, last summer.

They were both found guilty of violent disorder after a 10-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, said Essex Police.

Glover, of Waltham Abbey, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Land, of Hatfield, who was also found guilty of criminal damage, was given a 32-month prison sentence.

Footage showed Glover shouting at officers and "impeding police carriers" as they arrived in Epping on 17 July.

Drone and bodycam footage showed Land repeatedly damaging police vehicles "over the course of the evening", Essex Police added.

Keith Silk, 34, of Loughton, was found guilty at the same trial as Glover and Land.

He is due to be sentenced for violent disorder and criminal damage on 10 November.

Eleven men have been convicted for their behaviour in the protests - 10 have been sentenced, with immediate custodial terms currently totalling more than 17 years.

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher said: "Each of these sentences is a reminder of the impact of this disorder - the community in Epping was left scared and anxious, daily life was disrupted and businesses felt the effect of closing early, with the town's reputation affected.

"Whilst many people who wanted their voices to be heard on an important issue did that safely, a number chose to behave well beyond that and these convictions and sentences show that behaviour is and was entirely unacceptable."

(c) Sky News 2026: Two men jailed for violent disorder at anti-migrant protests outside asylum seeker hotel