Outrage as fundraiser launched for family of Bristol rioter who attacked police

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A fundraiser launched to help the family of a father who was jailed for attacking police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Bristol has attracted anger online.

Among those to donate was Tristan Tate, the brother of self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate, who has given £2,500.

Dominic Capaldi, 34, was jailed on Wednesday for 34 months after being caught on video footage throwing objects towards officers in the city’s Castle Park, while crowds chanted “send them back”.

The groundworker also targeted police who were trying to prevent protesters from gaining entry to the Mercure Hotel, which is used to house asylum seekers.

Created by his friend on Friday, the crowdfunder for Capaldi’s family aimed to raise £1,000 – but by Saturday lunchtime had raised more than £3,000 – claiming the sentence was unlawful.

In a description on the page, it said: “Dom was arrested and rushed through the courts, before being handed a 34-month prison sentence for attending a demonstration in Bristol he felt he needed to, relating to the safety of his children’s future.

“Unfortunately he leaves a wife and children as well as an unpaid mortgage.

“Please dig deep if you can and help his family through this ridiculous time.”

A total of 34 people have so far donated, including former kickboxer Tristan Tate who, along with his social influencer brother Andrew, is currently awaiting trial on charges of rape, forming an organised crime group, and human trafficking in Romania – allegations they have denied.

He shared news of his donation with his three million followers on X.

Andrew Tate admitted he was wrong about the suspect in the Southport stabbing, which sparked the nationwide unrest, in an interview with Piers Morgan earlier this month.

The fundraiser has been met with outrage by some on social media. One person wrote: “Was he not throwing stuff at police? Is that not a crime?”

Another said: “He plead [sic] guilty. He didn’t have to do that, could have taken it to trial. He obviously thought he was caught bang to rights.”

One another added: “This guy went rioting so that we immigrants would be kicked out of this country. No thanks, I’d rather donate to the local mosque.”

“Jog on mate - HE was filmed throwing stuff at the police and pleaded guilty to violent disorder... not giving him a dime you mug!” said another social media user.

Bristol Crown Court heard how Capaldi’s child was turning seven on the day of his sentencing, with the consequences of his offending having a “significant” impact on his family.

Defending Capaldi, John Stokes told the court: “It is very sadly a case of ‘hindsight is a wonderful thing’, he recognises now with retrospect the foolishness of his actions on that day.”

Judge Martin Picton jailed Capaldi for 34 months, telling the court: “This was the first post-Southport protest in Bristol to turn violent, but it has to be seen in the context of coordinated action on the part of extremists to cause violence, and by so doing to generate fear on the part of the community as a whole.”

He added: “You were a part of that, standing within a large confrontational group who were acting in concert, but in particular you chose to throw objects at the mounted police officers who were required to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.”

A total of 460 people had appeared in the magistrates’ court on charges relating to the disorder as of the end of 15 August, according to the Ministry of Justice.

At least 72 people under the age of 18 are also believed to have been charged.