Charlie Gilmour family to appeal over riot jailing

The family of Charlie Gilmour are to appeal after he was sentenced to 16 months in jail for violent disorder during the student fee protests.

During the demonstrations in central London, the adopted son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour was seen swinging on the Cenotaph.

He is said to have gone on a drink and drugs binge after being rejected by his natural father, poet Heathcote Williams. Friends of the 21-year-old said Williams sent Gilmour an "incomprehensible" email in November saying he was cutting him out of his life after an initial reunion last summer.

The Cambridge University student, who was "devastated" by the rejection, was arrested after throwing a bin at a convoy of cars carrying Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall during the protests on December 9.

Kingston crown court heard he had taken LSD and valium. He was also accused of sitting on a protection officer's car and smashing a window. Last week he was jailed after admitting violent disorder, despite a plea for leniency because of his personal problems. Today his solicitor, Robert Brown of Corker Binning, confirmed the family, including his mother, author Polly Samson, are "actively considering grounds for appeal". They are said to be hopeful of cutting his sentence.

Friends claim Gilmour has been used as a scapegoat. Becky Hewlit wrote on Facebook page Free Charlie Gilmour: "16 months in nick? Feck me! Scapegoat or what?! Give him a bagillion hours community service but don't ruin the poor kids life". Marilyn Finlay added: "This is a political sentence."

Williams had an affair with Samson which led to the birth of Charlie, who was adopted by Gilmour. A friend told The Sunday Times Charlie got in touch with Williams, 69, after he heard he was dying. Then: "Last November, Heathcote cut contact. He sent a largely incomprehensible email...

"The gist seemed to be Heathcote's heart could not take a relationship with his son. Charlie was devastated."