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Man jailed for trying to instigate riot

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August 29, 2024
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A man has been jailed for nine months after admitting trying to instigate a “riot” in Huddersfield.

Harvey Gardner, 20, pleaded guilty to encouraging violent disorder after sharing posts on social media urging people to gather at the town’s train station on 5 August, stating in one “it’s not going to be peaceful”.

Leeds Crown Court heard his posts had encouraged people to gather at the station, and, though the disorder did not materialise, police and businesses had to prepare for it.

Passing sentence on Gardner of Queens Way, Kirkburton, Judge Guy Kearl KC said his intention had been to “instigate and incite an incident”.

The court heard Gardener posted Facebook and X, formerly Twitter: “Riot in Huddersfield on Monday. Meet at the train station at 1pm. Everyone come show your support. It’s not going to be peaceful.”

He also tried to post the same message on a Facebook group called Huddersfield Community, but the moderator stopped him.

When he was arrested he said he had “the right to protest”, it was said.

His barrister told the court Gardner had no previous offences and was “deeply regretful” over the fact he had “jumped on the bandwagon”.

Passing sentence Judge Kearl said: “There can be no doubt you were inciting others to engage in violent disorder, otherwise why post the comments?

“No violent incident took place, but the effect of your posts was that local businesses and police had to cater for disorder.

“Your intention was to instigate and incite an incident involving serious violence.”

BBC News

Hull riot: Boy’s actions ‘some of worst’ judge has seen

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August 29, 2024
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A 17-year-old boy who was part of a mob that attacked and damaged a BMW with three Romanian men inside has been given a 12-month detention order.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously admitted violent disorder, burgling three shops and damaging two vehicles in Hull after trouble flared in the city centre on 3 August.

Sentencing him at the city’s youth court, District Judge Mark Daley told him he had “played a very full part in this disorder, which had a huge impact on the community”.

During proceedings, the judge said some of the footage he was played of the boy’s offending was “some of the worst” he had seen.

Hull Magistrates’ Court saw footage of the teenager wielding a spanner he found in the garage and using it to attack the car of a woman who worked nearby.

Prosecutor Philip Morris read some of the victim impact statement from the incident, with the woman explaining she had been physically sick from the distress the incident had caused.

The teen was also part of a group that forced a family, including two children, and their friends to flee and lock themselves inside the property, the judge heard.

The court was told the same group also put tyres in cars and set them alight at the garage.

He was also part of a large mob who shouted threats, threw missiles and a shopping trolley at a silver BMW. Footage showed him running towards the mob attacking the car.

The three occupants were “terrified” but had managed to escape, Mr Morris said.

The court also saw footage of the teenager shoving a large industrial-sized wheelie bin into a line of police officers on Jameson Street, throwing missiles and looting Lush, Shoezone and O2 stores.

‘Disgusting behaviour’

In mitigation, defence solicitor Emma Dann said the teen had handed himself into police after his photo was distributed to the media.

She said he was “absolutely appalled at his disgusting behaviour” and said he felt “significant remorse” at his actions that day.

She said the teen, who was living in a youth hostel at the time of the offending, wanted to start a construction course and be able to find a home so he could spend more time with his six-month-old daughter.

She said his actions had been influenced by “herd mentality”, but this was dismissed by the judge in his sentence.

Judge Daley said he must take into account the very serious effect the incident had on “those who had to barricade themselves in the garage”.

If the teen was over 18, the judge said he would be facing a sentence of three years, but he had made allowances for his age, the fact that he had no previous convictions and that he pleaded guilty to the offences.

BBC News

Seven plead guilty to violent disorder during riot

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August 28, 2024
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Seven people have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in relation to riots last month.

Hartlepool saw a night of unrest on 31 July, in a wave of disorder that spread across the country following the Southport stabbings and anti-immigration-fuelled social media misinformation.

Tamsyn Carr, 21, James Elliot, 41, John Barton, 33, Natalie Wood, 39, and Dylan Wiley, 28, all from Hartlepool, and Mark Crozier, 38, from Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court.

Several others who were charged entered pleas of not guilty, relating to riots in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

One man also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.

Five of those who pleaded guilty are due to be sentenced next week, although Carr will be sentenced in October.

Meanwhile, Brandon Welch, 18, from Darlington, pleaded guilty to violent disorder on 5 August in Middlesbrough and will be sentenced in October.

Nine others denied a violent disorder charge relating to unrest in Middlesbrough on 4 August.

Two men pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, two counts of arson and racially aggravated behaviour over the weekend of 3 and 4 August.

However, as the court heard their case was not directly linked to the riot, a trial date was set for 20 January.

BBC News

Five plead guilty to violent disorder during riot

By
August 28, 2024
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Five people have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in relation to a riot last month.

Hartlepool saw a night of unrest on 31 July, in a wave of disorder that spread across the country following the Southport stabbings and anti-immigration-fuelled social media misinformation.

Tamsyn Carr, 21, James Elliot, 41, John Barton, 33, Natalie Wood, 39 and Dylan Wiley, 28, all from Hartlepool, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court.

Several others who were charged entered pleas of not guilty, relating to riots in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

One man also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.

Four of those who pleaded guilty are due to be sentenced next week, although Carr will be sentenced in October.

Meanwhile, five others denied a violent disorder charge relating to unrest in Middlesbrough on 4 August.

Two men pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, two counts of arson and racially aggravated behaviour over the weekend of 3 and 4 August.

However, as the court heard their case was not directly linked to the riot, a trial date was set for 20 January.

BBC News

Judge tells dad what his ‘problem’ is after hearing his words following arrest

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August 28, 2024
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Edgar Didzulas hurled a missile towards police officers and kicked a garden wall

A judge highlighted a convicted sex offender’s “problem” after hearing of his words to the police following his arrest.

Edgar Didzulas hurled a missile towards officers and kicked a resident’s garden wall down as violent scenes unfolded in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice DaSilva Aguiar last month.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that trouble flared outside the Southport Islamic Society Mosque on Sussex Road on the evening of July 30 while worshippers were engaged in evening prayers. Rioters then “shouted Islamophobic chants”, launched objects towards the building and police officers – more than 50 of whom were injured – and caused damage to nearby properties.

Simon Leong, prosecuting, described how Didzulas, of Bath Street, Southport, was captured on CCTV and drone footage kicking down a wall outside an address before throwing a brick towards a line of police officers, having “initially been seen acting somewhat passively, watching the disorder and recording on his mobile telephone”.

The 39-year-old was recognised in the video clips “by an officer who had previous dealings with him” and was then seen in the same beige Firetrap hoodie and blue shorts he had been wearing at the time of the incident when subjected to a stop and search on Lord Street five days later.

When subsequently arrested at his home on August 19, he at first claimed: “I was there. I was looking, but I was throwing nothing.”

Under interview, Didzulas stated that he was drunk at the time of the incident and “recalled being there but had no recollection of kicking down a wall or throwing a projectile at the police”. However, he accepted that he was caught on camera doing so and added that he “was remorseful for his involvement”.

His criminal record shows four previous convictions for nine offences – including theft and fraud in 2019, sexual assault, battery and intentional strangulation in 2022 and being locked up in November last year for breaching a non-molestation order. Didzulas then received a community order in December 2023 for failing to comply with notification requirements.

Lloyd Morgan, defending, told the court: “Mr Didzulas is embarrassed and ashamed by his behaviour. He knows he has let himself down and his community down.

“The words he used in his prepared statement were, I am deeply sorry for what I have done and I am very remorseful. If sober at the time, I would have just walked away.

“He does suffer with an alcohol problem, if not alcoholism. There is nothing to indicate any hostility towards any racial or religious group.

“This was simply a man who behaved appallingly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Prior to his remand, he was working as a forklift driver and also in the gardening trade.

“He has a soon-to-be 11-year-old son, with whom he has regular contact. Your honour will see that his immigration status is perhaps under review at the moment in any event.”

Didzulas admitted violent disorder. Assisted by a Latvian interpreter in the dock, he showed no reaction as he was jailed for 28 months.

Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said: “Following the appalling and tragic events which took place in Southport on the 29th of July, much of the community was shocked and grieving. However, others including you caused serious disorder the following day in the form of vandalism, intimidation, threat and violence, motivated by racial or religious hatred which spread from Southport across Merseyside and to other areas of the country.

“That brought a great deal of fear and destruction to local communities. When the police came to do their job, their public role, they came under sustained attack. They should, of course, have been able to focus on a major murder investigation.

“The courts have a duty to ensure that they do what they can to ensure the protection of all members of the public. People are entitled to go about their every day life – be that their work, their domestic life or their faith – without being subjected to this level or any level of threat, fear, intimidation and violence. That is why those who choose to participate in the sort of disturbances we witnessed at the end of July and beginning of August must expect severe sentences, the purpose of which is to punish you and deter others.

“Two crowds gathered in Southport. One was a peaceful vigil. It is sad that the focus and attention was directed away from that by the other group, which focussed its attentions on the local mosque.

“Clearly, alcohol plays a part in your offending history. You have expressed your remorse. You have said that, if you had been sober at the time, you would have just walked away.

“That is probably right. But you failed to learn your lesson because you have committed offences, including violence, because of your alcohol abuse. While it may be right that you would not have done it sober, your problem is that you are frequently not.”
Liverpool Echo

Man who brought dog to hotel riot faces prison

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August 28, 2024
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A man who was in charge of a dog used dangerously during a riot outside a Rotherham hotel has been warned he faces prison.

Christian Hemus admitted a charge of violent disorder following the unrest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, where asylum seekers were staying, on 4 August.

Hemus, 35, of Clarney Place in Darfield, also pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog used dangerously in a public place.

Appearing via videolink at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, Hemus was told his sentencing would be delayed to allow for an update on injuries suffered by police officers during the incident.

The dog involved remains in police-contracted kennels.

Addressing Hemus, Judge Jeremy Richardson said: “You will be going to prison, there is no doubt of that.”

Judge Richardson described the case as an “unusual situation” and said he wanted to learn of the extent of any injuries caused to officers by the dog before sentencing Hemus.

The court was told 64 officers were hurt during the disorder outside the hotel, with three yet to return to duty.

Three police horses and one police dog were also injured, all of which are now back on duty.

Hemus will return to court for sentencing on 3 October.

BBC News

NAMED: All of the latest defendants charged over Rotherham riots as total number reaches 59

By
August 28, 2024
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Almost 60 people have now been charged in connection with the Rotherham disorder centred around a hotel housing asylum seekers, police confirmed this morning.

Riots broke out at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers Way, Rotherham, on the afternoon of August 4, 2024, after around 750 anti-immigration protesters arrived at the hotel, where asylum seekers were being housed.

The riots formed part of more than a dozen protests held across the country, many of which turned violent. The protests were fuelled by misinformation and followed a shocking knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, in which three young girls were killed.

Almost 60 people have now been charged in connection with the Rotherham disorder centred around a hotel housing asylum seekers, police confirmed this morning.

As of yesterday morning (Tuesday, August 27, 2024), a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed that a total of 59 people have now been charged in connection with the disorder. The ages of those charged ranges from 16 to 64.

The SYP spokesperson added: “59 people in total have now been charged. 44 of the 59 people have now pleaded guilty to the offences they have been charged with. 29 of these 38 have been sentenced.”

Police have provided the below list of everyone charged so far. Please note: it is not possible to name juvenile defendants due to their age.

Craden McKenzie, aged 26, Doncaster Road, Darfield, Barnsley, is charged with violent disorder. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 21.

Rory Huggins, aged 20, of Haythorne Way, Swinton, Rotherham, is charged with violent disorder. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 23.

Ryan Deering, aged 34, of Potts Crescent, Great Houghton, Barnsley is charged with assault of an emergency worker. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20.

Graham Harper, aged 43, of Henry Street, Darfield, Barnsley is charged with violent disorder. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20.

Kaylee Cunningham, aged 36, of Gerald Crescent, Kendray, Barnsley is charged with perverting the course of public justice. She was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20.

Thomas Birley, aged 27, of Rowms Lane, Swinton, Rotherham, is charged with violent disorder, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and attempted arson with intent to endanger life. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 16.

Graham Doherty, aged 35, of Common Wealth, Bolton-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22.

Christian Hemus, aged 35, of Clarney Avenue, Barnsley, is charged with violent disorder, possession of cannabis and production of cannabis. He is due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 21.

Morgan Hardy, aged 29, of Melton High Street, Rotherham, was charged with violent disorder. He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 21.

Richard Harrison, aged 37, of Burman Road, Rotherham, has been charged with violent disorder. He was remanded and was due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 12.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with violent disorder. He has been remanded and was due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 12.

Joseph Iggo, aged 20, of Hartley Brook Road, Sheffield is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.

Levi Fishlock, aged 31, of Sheffield Road, Barnsley is charged with violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life. He will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 20, 2024.

Damien Mayfield, aged 41, of Spring Lane View, Sheffield is charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words, behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress. He will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 4, 2024.
A 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with violent disorder and appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 8.

Jake Turton, aged 38, of West Street, Barnsley, has been charged with violent disorder, driving a motor vehicle without the owners consent and driving without insurance. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20

Christopher Rodgers, aged 38, of Millmoor Road, Barnsley is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.
Liam Grey, aged 20, of Randerson Drive is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.

One boy aged 16 and two boys aged 17, who can’t be named for legal reasons, are also charged with violent disorder.

Convicted and sentenced so far

A total of 44 people have been convicted over their participation in the disorder, after entering guilty pleas to the charges they faced. Of the 44 convicted, 29 have been sentenced so far, say police.

Defendants who have pleaded guilty over the last week and are awaiting sentence

– Richard Harrison, aged 37, of Ings Field Lane, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 21. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

– Ryan Deering, aged 34, Potts Crescent, Great Houghton, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 18.

– Sonny Ackerman, aged 29, of Birkdale Drive, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

Lee Marshall, aged 39, of Princess Street, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

– Charlie Eames, aged 30, of High Street, Sheffield, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on August 28.

– Mason Reddy, aged 24, of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 23. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

Defendants convicted earlier this month, who are awaiting sentence

Brad Westerman, aged 24, of Washington Road, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing.

Michael Woods, aged 64, of Ainsdale Avenue, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing.

Christian Ivermee, aged 31, of Chapel Street, Mexborough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 17. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 23 for sentencing.
Jamie Philips, aged 31, of Newington Avenue, Cudworth, pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 10. He is due to appear before Doncaster Magistrates’ Court later this month for sentencing.

Michael Shaw, aged 26, of Pagnell Avenue, Thurnscoe, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 14. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on October 4 for sentencing.

Joshua Simpson, aged 26, of no fixed abode, has pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 27.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2024.

Sheffield Star

Suspects named as three more men charged with violent disorder

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August 28, 2024
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They will appear in court this morning

Three more men have been charged with violent disorder. Lee Powell, 45, of Benton Close, Vauxhall; Adam Latty, 24, of Radnor Drive, Southport and Christopher Beard, 33, of Gidlow Lane, Wigan were all charged with violent disorder following scenes of unrest in Liverpool and Southport.

They were all remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning, Wednesday, August 28. It brings the number of people charged to 53.

The latest people to be jailed for their part in the violent disorder were Mark Blanchard, 37, of Saints Close in Old Swan, who was sentenced to two years and six months; Carlos McStravock, 33 and of Middle Way in Croxteth, who was jailed for two years and four months; and Max Higson, 22 and of no fixed abode, who was handed a two year jail term.

Thirty-three people have now been sentenced for their roles in the disorder. The courts previously heard that a violent mob, of around 1,000 people, targeted a mosque chanting “who the f*** is Allah” just an hour after a peaceful vigil was held in memory of three young girls killed in a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party the previous day.

Police officers were targeted with bricks, a vehicle was set alight and the mosque’s windows and walls were damaged. Dozens of officers were injured during the disorder, which later spilled out into rioting in Liverpool city centre and County Road in Walton the following weekend.

Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “These men were part of a group who brought violence to the streets of Southport, causing harm and fear in a community that was already in shock following the murders of Alice, Elsie and Bebe the previous day.

“Those involved in the appalling scenes continue to be dealt with in court and there have now been 33 people sentenced for their role in the disorder in Merseyside. Our officers have been working incredibly long hours to investigate the vast array of footage available from both incidents we’ve experienced in Southport and Liverpool and this will continue, with more arrests and charges to come.

“I’d also like to recognise the vital role that the public have played in this conviction, too. We’re continuing to receive information from members of the local community and please continue to come forward. With your support, we can continue to take robust action against those who are responsible for the senseless violence witnessed in Merseyside.”

Liverpool Echo

Distinctive tattoos helped police identify Leeds thug who performed racist gestures – landing him in jail

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August 28, 2024
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Distinctive tattoos helped police to identify a thug who performed racist gestures in Leeds city centre, which have landed him in jail.

Nicholas Hemingway was seen rubbing his lips and making monkey noises in the direction of a pro-Palestinian demonstration on August 3, before getting down on his knees and “mocking the way in which Muslim people pray”.

The 34-year-old, of Walford Road, Leeds, was involved in a protest on The Headrow outside Leeds Art Gallery, which was attended by far-right supporters, as well as anti-fascist groups.

He admitted two racially and religiously aggravated offences causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court this afternoon (August 27).

Footage played to the court showed Hemingway performing the racist gestures, which included putting his T-shirt over his head in a manner thought to be “imitating traditional dress”, prosecutor Carmel Pearson said.

She said: “He was described by police as having distinctive tattoos, which helped to identify him as the man seen in that video.”

Describing the impact on one of the counter-protestors, Ms Pearson said: “She was terrified and had to walk to the bus stop with others because she was so afraid.”

Defending, Dan Lee said: “He says he is ashamed of his actions and knows that there is no excuse for what the videos showed him doing.”

The protest in Leeds came as violence erupted in dozens of towns and cities including Rotherham, Tamworth, Plymouth, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hull.

Hotels where asylum seekers were known to be staying were targeted and set on fire, shops were looted, police cars were attacked and bricks were hurled at officers.

The Recorder of Leeds Guy Kearl said: “You joined with a pro-EDL group that was chanting and gesticulating in the direction of counter protestors.

“You were caught on CCTV climbing onto a barrier, rubbing your lips with your fingers and making monkey noises, while standing alongside a group making similarly racist and insulting comments and actions.

“You then got down from the barrier and started to mimic the manner in which Muslim people pray, in order to mock their religion.”

The court heard that Hemingway already had 18 convictions for 24 previous offences. He had also recently been handed a suspended sentence, which he breached as a result of his recent offending.

The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison and made him the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order, which means that he cannot congregate in a group of two or more causing harassment or distress.

Yorkshire Evening Post

Jailed, the ‘cowardly’ rioter who kicked and punched a lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens

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August 28, 2024
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Mark Bridgeford, 50, a grandfather, joined a mob attack in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3

A grandfather has been jailed for joining a mob attack on a lone black male – the latest rioter to face justice for the sickening violence that erupted in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3.

Footage played in a court showed ‘cowardly’ Mark Bridgeford, 50, from Salford, was part of a mob of white men who attacked a lone black male in the square as a protest and counter protest erupted in violence.

The grandfather-of-five admitted he shouted at riot cops who moved in to protect the man ‘sort your own f***ing country out’ after he had punched and kicked his victim.

Disorder hit towns and cities across the country, including in Greater Manchester, followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport last month. Incorrect rumours – that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat – spread on social media and appears to have fuelled the trouble.

Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock told Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday: “On the 3rd August this year there were large-scale protests in Piccadilly Gardens here in the city centre resulting from the tragic events in Southport where three young girls were killed and several others were injured. Rumours circulated online as to who was responsible for that and as a result of that we know far-right protests were arranged around the country in Bristol, Rotherham, Liverpool and here in Manchester.”

The protest in Manchester was alongside a ‘rival protest’ in Piccadilly Gardens, said Mr Wilcock.

Bridgeford was seen on footage later gathered by the police in the area for at least two hours, the court was told. A lone black male came into the area where the far-right protest was taking place and a ‘fight broke out’ which resulted in the black male on the ground, said Mr Wilcock.

“This defendant was one of those people who were throwing punches towards the male with clenched fists and the male goes to the floor,” said the prosecutor. The male was then ‘surrounded’ by members of the mob who kicked him to his legs while he was on the ground, said Mr Wilcock.

Bridgeford was captured on the footage listening to ‘heated discussions’ which were taking place and ‘makes no attempt what-so-ever to leave the scene’, the court heard. “He appears to be there willingly,” said Mr Wilcock.

Bridgeford was then captured running out of the Gardens towards Mosley Street before grabbing a rucksack being worn by an Asian male and ‘dragging him backwards’, the court heard.

Footage was played in court which showed riot police moving in to protect the black male from the baying mob after he was attacked.

Bridgeford was identified as one of the rioters by the subsequent police investigation and when he was eventually interviewed on August 16 he told officers he had gone into Manchester on August 3 to visit Metro Bank and to buy flowers for the grave of his late daughter for the first anniversary of her death.

The court heard Bridgeford had not been in trouble with the law for nine years although he had 12 previous convictions to his name, including for battery, harassment and taking a vehicle without consent.

Emily Calman, defending, pointed out her client had admitted his crime ‘at the first opportunity’ and added he had only gone into Manchester that afternoon for flowers for his daughter’s grave. She said her client was ‘swept up’ in the trouble as there had been talk at the protest of ‘saving daughters and saving children’.

“It brought about a considerable amount of emotion on Mr Bridgeford’s part,” said Ms Calman, who went on that at some points the footage showed the defendant ‘trying to help people away from the violence’.

The lawyer said Bridgeford ‘will live to regret’ his part in the disorder on a day when he had planned to ‘remember his daughter’. Her client had made no attempt to disguise himself at the scene nor to deny his involvement during his police interview, the court was told.

Ms Calman pointed out there had been a ‘considerable gap’ since her client, who has five grandchildren, had last been in trouble with the law. Since then he had ‘beaten alcoholism’ and had been ‘working on himself’ to address mental health problems, she said.

Judge Patrick Field KC said ‘one suspects it may well have been’ a racially aggravated attack but he said he would not sentence the case as such as the burden of proof had not been met to the ‘criminal standard’.

The judge told the defendant: “You became involved in ugly and mindless violence and behaviour for which one trusts you are properly ashamed. You became part of of an assault on another man in Piccadilly Gardens. It was all part of a mass gathering that’s been described as a protest although the purpose and the nature of the protest remains unclear to me.

“A group of men surrounded and attacked another man kicking and punching him and it was all accompanied by shouts of encouragement from others. You specifically became willingly involved in what’s going on, punching the black man to his back and when he fell to the ground you kicked him. Those were cowardly punches and indeed cowardly kicks.”

Bridgeford, of Canon Street in Salford, nodded to the judge as he was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to one offence of violent disorder. No friends or family members were present in the public gallery when he was sentenced.

Manchester Evening News