Hapless Aaron Buttress has become a wanted man after stumbling across rival factions fighting in Dover.

Although neither a supporter of the far left nor the far right wing groups scrapping in the town centre he decided to join in the fracas.

One minute he was lobbing stones, bricks and flares at one group, the next he was strolling through their ranks.

Now a judge has heard the 26 year old’s antics sparked anger on social media by groups suspicious of his behaviour.

"Although he was among the left he wouldn’t necessarily have known which side he was on" - Paul Valder, prosecuting

In the end, police arrested him after officers became worried for his safety, but now the Dover man is at the centre of a hate campaign.

His lawyer Natasha Spreadborough said his home in Buckland Avenue is under 24-hour observation by police and Buttress has been kept isolated while on remand in prison.

Today, the father-of-two was jailed for 20 months after admitting violent disorder, committed in breach of two suspended prison sentences.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how Buttress had been shopping when he came across a 350-strong right wing demonstration in support of lorry drivers, at Dover Priory.

A counter demonstration by 400 left wingers clashed with the rivals near a BP Garage in Folkestone Road – as officers tried to keep the two factions apart.

Police, who were filming the fighting, spotted Buttress just after 1.08 pm as missiles began being thrown, including smoke bombs, bricks, paving slabs, glass bottles and batteries.

Paul Valder, prosecuting, said Buttress wasn’t part of either group but joined the left wingers and started throwing things at the rival groups.

"Although he was among the left he wouldn’t necessarily have known which side he was on," he added.

On one occasion he is spotted throwing a flare in a crowd along with other missiles, all caught on CCTV.

“He was seen running around picking things from the floor and throwing them back.

“He was of interest to those from the right because he managed to move between the two groups and became something of a focus on social media.

“The question being asked from the right: 'Well who is this man, throwing things at us and how is he being allowed to stand in our ranks?”

Ms Spreadborough said Buttress had a drink and drug problem and was suffering from anxiety and depression.

“He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and unhappily just joined in. He threw a flare which had been thrown at him.”

Judge Adele Williams told him he took part in serious public disorder..without be affiliated with either side.