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Kevin Crehan, 34, was jailed for 12 months for the offence after the stunt at the Jamia Mosque in Bristol on January 17. Friends of Crehan have labelled him a "loyal patriot" insisting his sentence was "outrageous”. Around 100 supporters of Crehan, also known as Bunny, gathered outside Bristol Crown Court. Police dogs and officers on horses worked to keep the crowd controlled as they shouted and leered at a country protest. Counter ‘anti-fascist’ protesters claimed to have “pushed back” the group while police have attempted to separate the groups.

PA Kevin Crehan died after being sentenced to prison for putting bacon on a mosque

Dozens belonging to the opposing group were due to meet further away in Castle Park but moved closer to the far-right protest. Tensions are running high between the two groups, exacerbated by the presence of the English Defence League (EDL). The counter demo claims to be “100-strong”.

PA Police try to control crowds as 'anti-fascist' protesters fill roads

But those assembling for Crehan were not deterred. "This Demo (is) aimed at highlighting the outrageous sentence handed to a loyal patriot and family man, said a Facebook message on the page Demonstration for Kevin "Bunny" Crehan.” One pub shut its doors over fears of violence while shop owners said they feared the situation would "kick off”. A witness said police had "kettled" a number of the far-right protesters on Small Street and were preventing them from leaving for their safety. Avon and Somerset Police issued a warning to the two groups on its social media accounts, banning protesters from bringing certain items to the events. Banned items include face coverings including masks and scarves, placards that might incite disorder or hatred, and anything that could be used to cause injury or damage.

More #edl gobshites in #Bristol chased in to a back street by over 100 strong #antifa unit pic.twitter.com/f4gRT3fH3Q — MissDuffy (@MissDuffyAFA) March 4, 2017

Public safety is our top priority and officers will robustly deal with anyone who engages in significant anti-social behaviour or disorder Avon and Somerset Constabulary

A shocking video from Rabble News UK shows the violence unfold. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said there had been no arrests. He said: "Our main priorities are the safety of the public and the facilitation of peaceful protests. "A well-rehearsed policing plan is in place to achieve this. "We want to keep disruption to the public to a minimum and have been proactively engaging with the protesters, local businesses and the wider community prior to today's events. "Public safety is our top priority and officers will robustly deal with anyone who engages in significant anti-social behaviour or disorder."

PA Police line the city centre in Bristol

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