A BELFAST court on Monday jailed an anti-immigration protester for three months for taking part in an illegal parade in the city.

Bernard Lavery was pictured at the front of a march on August 3 which followed serious rioting by the far right on the streets of Belfast.

Mr Lavery pleaded guilty at Belfast Magistrates’ Court to taking part in the “un-notified public procession.”

In Northern Ireland, the Parades Commission must be notified of any parade at least 28 days before the event is due to take place.

After an anti-immigration protest outside Belfast City Hall, many in the crowd marched towards south Belfast, where a number of local businesses were targeted by what authorities have described as racially motivated attacks.

Mr Lavery was not accused of being involved in the racist attacks.

Mr Lavery claimed that he attended the protest in an “observational role” and took steps to try to prevent the disorder that took place on the day.

The court was told that Mr Lavery was observed at the front of the crowd waving an Irish tricolour flag, which attracted attention because he was “standing beside somebody with a Union Jack.”

The lawyer added that since then his client has been subjected to “vitriolic commentary” in the media.