Rioter found guilty of setting police vans on fire with officers still inside

A rioter who was described as playing “a leading role in one of the most shameful nights in Bristol’s recent history” has been found guilty of five offences relating to the violent scenes outside Bridewell police station in March.

Ryan Roberts, 25, of no fixed address, tried to set fire to two police vans while officers were inside during the ‘kill the bill’ riot, telling the driver of one of the vehicles that he was going to “go bang”.

Following a four-day trial at Bristol Crown Court in which he pleaded not guilty, Roberts was convicted of five offences: riot, attempted arson with intent to endanger life, attempted arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered, and two counts of arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

The jury were told that Roberts played a leading role in the disorder over several hours on March 21 and were shown a compilation of his offending lasting for more than 30 minutes.

Roberts climbed onto the roof of the Bridewell police station and threw missiles at police officers.

He later tried to start a fire under the wheel arch of a police van with an officer inside, hit an officer with a baton, and with others tried to roll a police van over before starting a fire inside the vehicle.

Roberts held a piece of burning cardboard under a police van with seven officers still inside as it reversed.

Other video clips showed Roberts moving a bin alongside a police car before setting it alight and throwing Heras fencing at police.

Detective superintendent James Riccio, the senior investigating officer, said: “Ryan Roberts played a leading role in one of the most shameful nights in Bristol’s recent history.

“He denied all the offences and blamed police for his actions but the footage we found of his involvement in the riot spoke for itself.

“Not only did he repeatedly target officers physically, hitting and kicking them and throwing large objects at them, but he attempted to set fire to vehicles with officers inside.

“The most horrifying aspect of this offending is that he wasn’t simply trying to burn the vehicles, he was knowingly endangering officers’ lives and the lives of others in the area.

“These are officers who come to work every day to protect the public, they should never be assaulted and should never have to face threats or attempts on their lives.”

A police van on fire on Bridewell Street on the evening of March 21 – photo: Martin Booth

James Le Grys from the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Ryan Roberts was one of the main offenders and the violence he used extended to attempting to set light to an occupied police vehicle.

“Today he’s been convicted for his part in the dreadful scenes caught on video. We’ve worked closely with the Police to deliver a coordinated response and support what has been a complex investigation.

“We respect the right to legal protest but when people resort to violence and destruction we will charge offences that reflect the gravity of the criminality.”

Roberts is due to be sentenced in November.

Main photo: Avon & Somerset police

Read more: Protesters gather outside Crown Court ahead of first ‘kill the bill’ trial

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: