First ‘Kill the Bill’ defendant to be cleared of all charges

A 24-year-old is the first to be cleared of all charges of those who went to trial for their involvement in a ‘kill the bill’ protest that turned violent.

At least 19 people have been convicted of offences committed during the disorder outside Bridewell Police Station in March 2021.

That night, what began as a peaceful protest escalated into chaos as fireworks were launched, eyes pepper-sprayed and police vehicles set on fire.

Kadeem Yarde, who lives in Bishopston, arrived at a march held in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder at 2pm.

In the evening, he joined the now infamous demonstration held in opposition to the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill in the city centre – where Bridewell Police Station came under sustained attack.

One police van is now fully alight. The heat can be felt from The Lanes. pic.twitter.com/dcedjiYiAN

— Martin Booth (@beardedjourno) March 21, 2021

“The best way to describe the night was a whirlwind. There was violence everywhere, but also people trying to calm the crowds down and protect people,” Yarde told Bristol24/7.

The 24-year-old added: “There was a crazy sense of community where strangers were trying to look after injured protesters. It got very hostile and both sides used unnecessary force. I was just protecting my friend who was five foot.

“I left not long after as it was getting too much – it was just a horrid environment.”

Yarde is from Bideford in north Devon

During his trial, the jury saw footage from a police body camera of Yarde grabbing a police baton as it came down and kicking back against a riot shield.

He pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and then the CPS authorised the police to up the charge to riot, which he pleaded not guilty to.

Yarde was cleared of all charges on Wednesday after a two-hour jury deliberation.

The model from Bideford said: “Before I started the trial I was expecting to get six years minimum. It wasn’t until half way through the trial my barrister became more positive.

“As soon as I was called for my verdict I was panicking, and when I heard ‘not guilty’ I broke down crying in the dock.”

A solidarity protest was held outside Bristol Crown Court for Jasmine York, another ‘kill the bill’, defendant in January. York was jailed for nine months – photo: Betty Woolerton

He also said he has felt “survivor’s guilt” since his trial ended.

“As much as I am happy I have been cleared, I do feel guilty and question why I’m the only one,” Yarde explained.

An inquiry into the policing of the protests found that police used “excessive force” during the first protest and the ones that followed it, and that officers hadn’t distinguished between violent and peaceful protesters when delivering punishments.

Avon and Somerset responded to the inquiry’s findings, saying “we always welcome transparency and accountability but we strongly refute some of the findings of this report relating to the policing of protests in Bristol.”

They added: “We reject any suggestion we did not facilitate peaceful demonstrations on the day of the riot and for subsequent protests.”

Yarde has not attended any protests since he was arrested in April 2021, but said he is ready to return to activism.

He said: “I want to show that protesting can be peaceful and we are not all rioters.”

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read more: Bristol’s Kill the Bill riot: one year on 

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