One of the left-wing protesters arrested during the Dover Riots was once convicted of hitting former UKIP leader Nigel Farage over the head with a placard, we can reveal.

Andrew Scott was arrested in January last year wearing a mask and a builder's hard hat.

He was also caught on CCTV throwing a missile at right-wing demonstrators and later arrested.

But we can reveal how in March 2014, the 41 year old, from Ramsgate Road, Margate had appeared in court for assaulting Mr Farage outside the Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville.

The jobless protester was ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to an assault charge.

He later apologised to the politician.

Scott told magistrates he had gone to the hotel to exercise his right to protest and had not meant to cause Mr Farage any physical harm.

Now he faces a possible jail sentence after admitting a charge of violent disorder during the Dover riots.

Prosecutor Paul Valder said Scott was among left-wing supporters in Market Square before the planned demonstrations against rival right wingers.

“He was one of those who broke through a police cordon with, the prosecution say, the intention of confronting the right wingers who were walking up Folkestone Road.

“On CCTV footage he has his hood up and was wearing a builders hard hat and his face is covered. There is one missile thrown.”

Judge James O’Mahony adjourned sentence while a probation report is prepared and Scott was granted bail until the next hearing in May.