A self-proclaimed paedophile hunter has stepped down from the group he says has helped convict 440 sex offenders after being convicted for his role in disorder in Leeds.
Phillip Hoban, of Northcote Crescent, Beeston, was captured on footage making racist gestures towards a group Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Leeds city centre on Saturday, August 3.
Hoban, founder of Predator Exposure UK, was seen stood on top of a bollard close to the art gallery and rubbing his lips. Hoban claimed he was insinuating the demonstrators were “cry babies” but went on to admit two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment, or alarm or distress by using threatening or abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour.
The 48-year-old – who represented himself during the sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court – told Leeds Crown Court on Thursday he was a “stupid drunken idiot” and said he had stepped down from his role at Predator Exposure because there “is no room for fools like me”.
Footage of the incident was played to the court by prosecutor Carmel Pearson who also said Hoban’s co-accused, James Gettings, 35, Landseer Walk, Bramley, fell to be sentenced for the same charge. She said following it, Hoban posted to TikTok a video where he “described what had happened and his approach to things, and he hadn’t wanted to be associated with such a violent display”.
Hoban – who had previous offences on his record including arson, affray and drug offences – was interviewed by police and denied being racist. Ms Pearson said: “He was keen to tell police he is of mixed heritage and said he was shouting not ‘who the f*** is Allah’ but ‘Who the f*** is Alan?’ He said the gestures he was making was not racist but more he was making gestures to imply they were cry-babies.”
Gettings was also identified through the clips. Ms Pearson said: “He’s seen to be bowing and mocking the Muslim form of praying… He was arrested at home and told police he was about to hand himself in…He said in interview he was disgusted in himself. He said he didn’t know how bad it was – he watched the footage and said those three seconds of madness ruined his life.
“He said he was sorry and he had family members who had disowned him because of what he did.”
As he addressed the court, Hoban said: “First of all I would like to apologise to the innocent people I offended and am truly sorry for the offence caused. I had no right whatsoever to do what I did…Before I knew I was wanted for police I made a public apology on my page and my TikTok. I did this hoping the person I offended would see it and udnerstand I meant no harm whatsoever.”
Hoban said he is “Not racist” and it “kills him inside” for people to think that. He said last year he donated £200 to the Aram centre in Beeston “like a youth club for young Asian males that may be going down the wrong path.” Hoban said: “The stupid things I did on this day were not intended to hurt anyone whatsoever. This crime is completely unacceptable…I hope everyone can see I’m not racist…I’m mixed race.”
Hoban said his children are also mixed race and he is “ashamed” of what he has put his family through. He added: “Since I have been here I have not worked but my wife has, she is a paramedic.”
He said he is a “stupid drunken idiot” and will “never go to a protest again”.
Hoban has said he has decided to “step down” from his “child protection agency” role. He said: “In a team like that I realise there is no room for fools like me…Over the years I have helped the police convict over 440 online predators. What I’m trying to say is I’m not an evil person or a racist. I know justice has to be served now and I deserve what is coming to me…
“But if there is a different way than a long-term prison sentence then please take a chance on me. Again, I’m so sorry to the lady I offended and anyone else I offended in the chanting I got involved with…It will never happen again.”
Mitigating for Gettings, Becky Jane said: “The offence clearly crosses the custody threshold and he knows the sentence passed today can only be one of immediate custody.”
The court heard dad-of-three Gettings has “reflected” on this incident and he is “deeply ashamed of his actions and says he is deeply remorseful.” She said: “He didn’t appreciate at the time the impact of his actions and has no intention of repeating it.”
Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl KC jailed both Hoban and Gettings for eight months and told them: “The law applies to everyone: No matter what colour, race, religion or political persuasion they are. There is no distinction. The law is colourblind. The law is there to protect everyone in our society, both in terms of their safety and businesses.
“Both of you involved yourselves in a protest outside Leeds Art Gallery. You were both members of or joined with a pro-English defence group…Your demonstration was against refugees and those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
“Philip Hoban you climbed onto a barrier and started rubbing your lips to a person of colour and were standing alongside or in the same group as people making similar gestures…You then started to imitate the manner in which Muslim people pray in order to mock or mimic their religion and you were chanting, ‘Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?’ You were one of the leaders of your group of protesters.
“James Gettings you were part of the same group and you too decided to make offensive gestures by mimicking or mocking those of the Muslim community and the way they pray.”
The judge said the offences “must be viewed against the background of unrest across the country.” He said: “That conduct and that of your group was designed to stir up hatred. By the 3rd August there had been disorder in Southport, Manchester, Hartlepool, Aldershott, London, Liverpool and Sunderland.”
Addressing Hoban, the judge told him: “You have told me you are mixed race. Then you should know better…”
Following the sentence, Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Our investigations into those involved in disorder continue and we remain absolutely determined to identify and take firm action against all those who have offended.
“There is absolutely no place for disorder offences or racially aggravated offending in our county and I can promise that those who seem to think that it is acceptable to behave in this way will be hunted down and locked up. As we have seen, the government and courts are taking a firm stance against this thuggery, as are we.
“We continue to use all the investigative tools available to us to bring those involved in the recent disorder to justice.”
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