An anti-fascist activist who was jailed following violent clashes at a political demonstration in Dover was freed yesterday by top judges on appeal.

Richard Pursell, 45, received a four-month jail term at Canterbury Crown Court last month after he admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

Pursell was among those who massed to protest against a right-wing anti-immigration rally in Dover on January 30.

The violence flared in Effingham Street and Folkestone Road as rival political factions met head to head, London’s Appeal Court heard yesterday.

Mr Justice Edis said the clashes led to more than 60 arrests.

Pursell, who disguised his face with a scarf, was spotted by police in the “front line of his group”, but the judge said he played a minimal role in the violence.

The court heard that he was caught up in two incidents while threading his way though the “no man’s land” between the two skirmishing sides.

At one point, he was attacked by the other group but managed to slip away.

“The violence he used wasn’t extreme and was reactive, if not lawfully defensive,” the judge added.

His behaviour, rather than intimidating, had appeared “eccentric” to some onlookers.

The judge, sitting with Lord Justice Burnett and Judge Melbourne Inman QC, quashed the jail term and replaced it with a suspended sentence.

The court also head that Pursell’s partner was a senior midwife, and he needed to spend time at home to care for their children.

Freeing Pursell, the court substituted a three-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.