A DAD joined the 'Kill the Bill’ riot in Bristol armed with a homemade spear, a court heard.

Bradley Edmonds, 28, was arrested with the weapon after hundreds laid siege to the city and torched police cars on Sunday night.

Bristol Magistrates court heard Edmonds was arrested near the police station shortly after 5am armed with the spear, which had a sharpened edge.

The riot saw 21 police officers injured in clashes with protesters who hurled fireworks and smashed up a police station.

Reading out the charge Judge Lynne Matthews said: “You are charged with possessing an offensive weapon which was a home-made spear with a sharpened edge.

“Officers found you in possession if this weapon in Rupert Street, Bristol on March 22.”

'MENACING MESSAGE'

Edmonds, of Bristol, appeared before Magistrates in a grey prison-issue tracksuit this afternoon, The Sun can reveal.

He pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

Edmonds admitted a separate charge of sending a menacing message on 13 March to a man he believed had nicked his wallet.

He was sentenced to six weeks behind bars.

Following their investigation into the riot, Avon and Somerset Police revealed eight men arrested for violent disorder have been released under investigation.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said: "Eight men aged between 20 and 44 were arrested following the disorder.

"All have been released under investigation in relation to their arrest for violent disorder but one, a 28-year-old man from the Bedminster Down area of Bristol, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

"He is next due to appear at the same court on 10 June."

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