Woman who attacked police during ‘Kill the Bill’ riot in Bristol jailed for three years

A 24-year-old woman has been jailed for three years after attacking police officers during the Kill the Bill riot in Bristol.

Charly Pitman, of Brislington, was found guilty of riot and handed the prison sentence at Bristol Crown Court today (Thursday, July 7).

She is the 19th person to be jailed in connection with the riot, which broke out in Bristol city centre following a Kill the Bill protest in March 2021.

During Pitman’s trial, the court heard how she positioned herself at the front of a crowd challenging police officers as they attempted to separate them from Bridewell Police Station.

Jurors were shown footage of Pitman acting aggressively towards the officers, striking their shields and helmets.

She was told her actions caused them and others to fear for their safety.

Sentencing Pitman, Judge Julian Lambert said she made a conscious decision not to leave the riot and encouraged others to attack police officers.

He added that jurors decided quickly there was ‘no basis for self-defence’, as Pitman had claimed during the trial.