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In sentencing Charlie Gilmour to 16 months, the judiciary have made it clear they intend to crack down by imposing significant custodial sentences. Civil liberties groups fear such punishments will put people off demonstrating.
The charge of violent disorder is more commonly used to prosecute bar fights and football hooligans. Edward Woollard, who threw a fire extinguisher off the roof of the Conservative Party's Millbank headquarters, was given a 32-month sentence for violent disorder. People who commit actual violent harm towards someone are routinely let off with lesser sentences.
Judge Geoffrey Rivlin openly declared that he was punishing Woollard as a warning. "If ever a case calls for a deterrent sentence, this is it," he said. "Anyone who behaves in this way and comes before the courts must expect a long sentence of custody."