A man from Leicester has been jailed for two years for his role in violence which flared up during an English Defence League demonstration. Shane Williams was among 2,000 supporters of the group which staged a protest which descended into violence in Birmingham city centre in July last year. Police officers were pelted with missiles and a Pakistan flag was burned in the street. West Midlands Police said 30 officers were injured in the violence. Williams, of Birds Nest Avenue, New Parks, was one of 52 people who were put before the courts charged with violent disorder or assault over the past few months. The 27-year-old was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court last week. West Midlands Police said disorder occurred in several areas of the city centre and involved English Defence League supporters from across the country. Williams was filmed by officers who were monitoring the English Defence League supporters and protestors opposed to their presence in the city. Despite the efforts of the English Defence League's stewards to contain them, a number of its supporters tried to force their way through police lines to get to the counter protesters. Williams was not arrested on the day but was later traced, arrested and charged. A number of people who were involved in the violence were traced after West Midlands Police ran an appeal, backed up by footage taken by its officers on the day, on BBC's Crimewatch programme. Following the televised appeal several suspects came forward and dozens of tip-offs were passed to officers. The last of the 52 men are due to be sentenced in the new year. He was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court last week. West Midlands Police released details of the case. However it could not confirm whether Williams pleaded guilty to the charge or had been found guilty by a jury. West Midlands Police said it would give further details and comment on the cases at the conclusion of legal proceedings at Birmingham Crown Court.
