His neck emblazoned with a skull tattoo, John O’Brien swung a wooden pole at rival protesters as right and left wing factions faced off in Dover.

But police caught up with the 40-year-old after travelling to his Lancashire home and discovering some of the clothes he wore at the violet demonstration on January 30.

O'Brien, of Paddock Street in Oswaldthistle near Blackburn, has now been jailed for 15 months after video footage showed him attacking rival protesters, throwing things and pushing against the police line.

He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court today having pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

A protester who attacked people with a wooden pole during disturbances in Dover has been jailed for 15 months.

More than 70 people have been arrested so far in connection with the demonstrations on January 30, and detectives continue to review hundreds of hours of footage of offences committed on the day.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Smith of Kent Police said: "I am pleased to see the robust sentences given to those who chose to come to Dover and commit acts of serious violence under the guise of peaceful protest.

"I hope it provides some compensation to the people of Dover who should not have to tolerate such behaviour in their community."