At Hull Crown Court, there was not a spare seat in Courtroom 1 as six men were jailed for their part in disorder described by a judge as “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence”.

Graphic footage of the city centre disorder on Saturday 3 August was played to the court.

The parts played by David Wilkinson, 46, Steven Love, 41, John Nunan, 36, and Travis Whitelock, 23, John Honey, 25, and Corey Holloway, 20, was laid bare for all to see.

With their families watching from the public gallery, the men were handed prison sentences ranging from 18 months to six years.

Wilkinson, Love, Nunan and Whitelock were first to appear before Judge John Thackray KC.

The judge had wanted all the men to appear in the dock at once but was informed by court officials that there were not enough prison officers available to accommodate this.

Before sentencing got under way, Judge Thackray was told another defendant, also linked to the disorder, might require hospital treatment after hitting a wall in the cells.

Wilkinson, of Lorraine Street, Hull, was dealt with first.

He received the longest sentence – six years in jail – after admitting violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage and attempted arson.

Footage was played showing Wilkinson attacking the windscreen of a BMW carrying three Romanian men.

Judge Thackray said the “terrified” occupants of the vehicle had “feared for their lives”.

Wilkinson also tried to set fire to a wheelie bin outside a garage. Judge Thackray said people, including children, were “cowering with fear” nearby.

He was seen “front and centre” of the disorder on Ferensway, said the judge, adding the defendant was spotted with a “nunchuck-like weapon” in a carrier bag. He also spat at police.

Wilkinson had 30 previous convictions from 72 offences, the court was told.

In mitigation, his barrister Michael Forrest said Wilkinson had struggled with drug addiction, but had not committed any offences for 10 years.

Mr Forrest said Wilkinson was not in town to cause trouble, but had joined the crowds.

Wilkinson appeared upset when his barrister discussed how his children had now “abandoned him” and he feared he would no longer have a relationship with his grandchildren.

He was sentenced to six years for racially aggravated criminal damage, three years for violent disorder, and three years for attempted arson – to be served concurrently. He was also handed a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO).

Described by Judge Thackray as “front and centre of everything”, John Honey, of Park Grove, Hull, was next up.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder, three counts of burglary after looting three shops, and racially aggravated criminal damage for his part in the attack on the BMW.

Judge Thackray said Honey had left those in the BMW at the “wrath of the baying mob”.

In mitigation, barrister Charlotte Baines said Honey had endured a difficult childhood and had an autism diagnosis, which the judge took into account when sentencing.

Honey showed no emotion throughout the hearing and spent most of the time looking down at his feet.

He was sentenced to 56 months in prison for racially aggravated criminal damage, 28 months for violent disorder, and 12 months for three counts of burglary, to be served concurrently.

He was also handed a five-year CBO.

Next up was Love, of Middleton Street, Hull, who appeared in the dock on crutches, which the court heard was the result of having been bitten by a police dog.

Footage showed him throwing bins and charging at officers.

It also showed his leg bleeding profusely from the bite.

Love had 30 previous convictions from 49 offences, and was on licence from prison after an incident in March 2024, in which he was convicted of two counts of affray and one of dangerous driving.

His barrister Rachel Scott said he was “humiliated and embarrassed” by his conduct and was “genuinely remorseful”. Love was in the city “for other reasons” and “did not hold racist views”, she said.

Ms Scott added her client would be “suffering for some time” as a result of the dog bite.

Judge Thackray told Love he had taken a “very, very central role” in violent disorder, had a a “very, very bad” criminal record, and his crimes were made all the worse for the fact he was on licence from prison.

He was sentenced to 40 months in prison and handed a five-year CBO.
‘Throwing bottles’

Of the six men, John Nunan, of Hermes Close, Hull, appeared the most emotional. He was frequently in tears.

He had one previous conviction for drug offences in 2011, although this was his first appearance before a crown court.

Footage showed him carrying a police shield and throwing bottles at officers. He was also seen shouting and pushing a wheelie bin at police lines on Ferensway.

In mitigation, Michael Forrest said his client was remorseful and had apologised to officers and families caught up in the disorder.

The court heard he had a six-month-old baby, and had reflected in custody that officers must have feared they “would not make it home” to their families on that day.

He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
Shoes and shoeboxes are on fire outside the Shoezone shop, which has broken doors and windows.

Whitelock, of Brisbane Street, Hull, was next.

He constantly looked over to his family gathered in the public gallery.

Footage showed him kicking a police van, firing missiles, and pushing a wheelie bin onto a fire.

As a juvenile, Whitelock received two convictions from nine offences.

In mitigation, barrister Harry Crowson said his client had ADHD and other health conditions, but had “turned his life around” after becoming a father.

The behaviour on show that day was “not what he is normally like”, insisted Mr Crowson.

As he was being sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, Whitelock blew kisses to his family and made hand signals.
Crying

Holloway, of Belmont Street, Scunthorpe, was last to be sentenced.

He was told he would be spending his 21st birthday behind bars for his role in the disorder.

Holloway appeared upset, crying and shaking. Sobbing was also heard from the public gallery.

Footage shown to the court showed him taking part in disorder on Ferensway, pushing bins into officers, throwing a traffic cone into police barricades, and abusing officers.

His barrister, Rachel Scott, said Holloway had a troubled childhood, which had resulted in a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder.

He was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institute.

BBC News