Fundraiser for man jailed over violent disorder sparks criticism

A fundraiser for a man jailed for throwing objects at police near a hotel housing asylum seekers has attracted criticism.

Dominic Capaldi, 34, was jailed on Wednesday for 34 months after pleading guilty to a charge of violent disorder in Bristol on August 3.

Bristol Crown Court heard Capaldi, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, was captured on police bodycam footage throwing objects towards officers in the city’s Castle Park, including while crowds chanted “send them back”.

The ground worker was also seen throwing objects at police who were trying to prevent protesters gaining entry to the Mercure Hotel, which is used to house asylum seekers.

The fundraiser, set up after Capaldi’s guilty plea, is titled: “Help Doms family after an unlawful prison sentence.”

Among those to have already donated is divisive influencer Tristan Tate, the brother of Andrew Tate, who posted on social media X after pledging £2,500.

But comments in response to his post include: “Are you really this stupid? As he pleaded guilty, what’s ‘unlawful’ about his well-earned sentence?”

Another read: “Sending money because a man was attacking police officers, you guys are hitting new lows by the day.”

As of Sunday morning, the fundraiser had reached £3,470 – exceeding its £1,000 target.

The creator of the fundraiser, Jake Hepple, posted on Crowdfunder: “My good friend Dom has just been given 34 months for attending a protest in Bristol.

“He leaves behind a wife, children and an unpaid mortgage.

“Dom was arrested and rushed through the courts, before being handed a 34 month prison sentence for attending a demonstration in Bristol he felt he needed to, relating to the safety of his children’s future.”

Defending Capaldi, John Stokes told Bristol Crown Court: “It is very sadly a case of ‘hindsight is a wonderful thing’, he recognises now with retrospect the foolishness of his actions on that day.”

Mr Stokes said Capaldi’s child was turning seven on the day of his sentencing, with the consequences of his client’s offending having a “significant” impact on his family.

Judge Martin Picton jailed Capaldi for 34 months, telling the court: “This was the first post-Southport protest in Bristol to turn violent, but it has to be seen in the context of co-ordinated action on the part of extremists to cause violence, and by so doing to generate fear on the part of the community as a whole.”

Avon and Somerset Police said the judge told Capaldi: “Your offending was first captured on video at a point when you were part of the crowd in Castle Park.

“Those with whom you were standing were displaying verbal and physical aggression of a racist nature.

“Their aggression was directed towards the police, some mounted on horseback, who were having to control them.

“You were a part of that, standing within a large confrontational group who were acting in concert, but in particular you chose to throw objects at the mounted police officers who were required to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.”

Judge Picton added: “The officers showed remarkable bravery in trying to keep people safe. Shortly after you and others can be seen to throw items at the police and the group surged at the officers, attacking them.”

Crowdfunder has been approached for comment.