Volunteer mosque worker ‘encouraged’ far-right violence as riots swept Hanley

Ryan Corden has avoided jail after an Islamic leader came to his defence

A volunteer mosque worker has avoided jail for his part in supporting far-right agitators as a riot rocked Hanley. Ryan Corden’s case has been branded ‘strange’ after he acted ‘out of character’.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard 35-year-old Corden gives up his own time to do building work at the Town Road mosque. But on August 3 last year, he became embroiled in the anarchy that gripped the city centre, encouraging rioters as they resisted law enforcement.

Much of the unrest centred on the Town Road mosque where Corden has helped out. Now he has narrowly escaped prison after an Islamic leader came to his defence.

Prosecutor David Bennett told the court that Corden followed along with far-right protesters from 11am until 2pm, hurling abuse at officers while trying to break the police line.

He said Corden had riled fellow agitators and fuelled disorder throughout the day, adding: “He could be seen throughout the duration of the riot, often on the front line encouraging the actions of others. He was involved in four significant incidents throughout the day.

“At 11.34am, he was seen pushing others into the police line. As the group became agitated, police bodycam footage captured the defendant putting his arms behind the backs of two other men and pushing them forward in an attempt to break the police line.

“He was then seen on Broad Street as the protest group moved towards Hanley’s centre. Footage shows the defendant motioning with his arms to get other protesters to sit down in the road to block police. He did so himself for around 30 seconds, before getting up to film.

“At 1.50pm, police bodycam showed the defendant pushing into police shields in an attempt to prevent officers moving forward. Footage at 2.30pm showed the defendant hurling abuse towards officers.

The court heard police bodycam footage captured Corden shouting ‘we’re fighting for our country, you should be too’ at riot officers.

Corden was later quizzed by police on September 27, where he admitted to being the individual captured in the footage – but denied acting in a threatening manner or attempting to fuel disorder. He claimed he protested peacefully, adding he ‘stayed out of curiosity’.

The defendant, of Willowbrook Walk, Norton, went on to plead guilty to one charge of disorder.

Scott Ashdown, mitigating, said: “While his attendance may be seen as prolonged, he spent that time mostly as an onlooker. He did push others towards police, but others were behind him pushing him too. That conduct was fleeting and the police line held.

“When he was at the front, he was pushed there. He threw his hands up in the air to indicate to officers that he had no intention of causing harm. It is quite clear that the majority of his comments were either absent threats or mere observations.

“His actions should not be considered to have any racist undertones. His actions were primarily a reflection of his dissatisfaction towards police, not particular ethnic or religious groups. He is someone who is inclusive – he has actually done much volunteer work at the Town Road mosque.

“He recognises that his actions could have caused harm to those who were being subjected to prejudice. He is genuinely remorseful for his participation.”

Judge Graeme Smith handed Corden a two-year suspended sentence, along with 25 days of rehabilitation work and 240 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £350 in damages.

Judge Smith said: “Everyone is entitled to express their opinion or to protest. That is what you say you were doing. But that does not grant the licence for disorder.

“Although you were involved, I have the reference given by Farooq Faraj of Town Road Islamic Centre. He says this was out of character for you and commends your volunteer work, which you still do. I accept you may not have acted from a place of religious hostility.

“Yours is an unusual case. In most other cases, I have not given suspended sentences due to the seriousness of the offending. But I accept your motivations were somewhat different. I have just been convinced to give you a suspended sentence, which is rare in these cases.”

Stoke Sentinel