A pregnant woman who threw missiles at police officers and set items alight during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed.

Elarna Garner-Abbey, 19, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 18 months in prison earlier, just a week after finding out she was pregnant.

The court heard she attended the unrest at the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August alongside ex-partner Philip Wood, 22, who was jailed for two years.

Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson said while he had reduced Garner-Abbey’s sentence “as much as I reasonably can” she had been “right at the centre” of the disorder.

He said: “I am conscious [pregnant women] have particular difficulties whilst in custody. That factor has caused me to reflect with great care on your case.”

The court heard Garner-Abbey and Wood were among hundreds of rioters who hurled missiles at officers trying to protect those inside the building.

At one stage Garner-Abbey was filmed stoking a fire with a blue stick, setting it ablaze and then passing the stick to another person, prosecutor Joseph Bell said.

Meanwhile, Wood was seen leaving the scene and returning with plant pots from residents’ gardens, which he passed to others to break and throw at officers.

He was also seen approaching a fire in the middle of Manvers Way, while topless and wearing a face covering, to set a phone charger on fire which he then swung above his head.

Marc Luxford, on behalf of Wood, said his client had a mental age of 12 or 13 and an IQ score of 51, putting him in the range considered to be a moderate learning disability.

He said suggestions Wood had groomed or coerced Garner-Abbey were misplaced saying he was “simply not able” to have due to his mental capacity.

Judge Richardson said while there was some evidence of Wood having a “controlling and malign” influence on Garner-Abbey CCTV showed her “acting of [her] own free will in a prominent way”.

Garner-Abbey and Wood were also issued with a criminal behaviour order for a period of 10 years.

BBC News

A couple were both involved in helping to stoke fires and throw missiles at police, as part of riots that broke out after a protest outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers turned violent.

Philip Wood and Elarna Garner Abbey were in a relationship at the time of the widespread disorder in Manvers, Rotherham on August 4, 2024 and travelled to the protest together. They have since ended their relationship.

In footage shown to Sheffield Crown Court, Wood and Garner-Abbey can both be seen involving themselves in the disorder that broke out on Manvers Way, a short distance from the Holiday Inn Express, which was at the centre of the disorder.

The video footage shown to the court, during a hearing held on June 16, 2025, is from behind the police line, and shows a fire burning in between officers and where the majority of protesters are located.

Describing the roles of each of the defendants, prosecutor, Joseph Bell said Wood, who was wearing a face covering for much of the incident, can be seen stoking a fire which is a blaze in the middle of the road, repeatedly throwing missiles towards the police line, some of which were at “close range.”

A number of the items had been given to Wood, aged 22, by others involved with the disorder, the court heard.

Mr Bell said a “discarded firework” was among the items thrown in the direction of police.

“He takes a charger, places the end of that charger in the fire until it catches light, swings it round over his head. He passes it to someone else, who imitates whipping with the charger,” said Mr Bell.

He continued: “He commandeers a large metal pole, of which he can be seen to stuff tissue into the end, and then sets it alight.”

Moving to Garner-Abbey’s conduct, Mr Bell emphasised that while the defendants travelled to the riots together, they each “played their own role” and acted “independently” of each other.

Mr Bell said Garner-Abbey, aged 19, can be seen “pushing a blue pole into the fire and then hands it to another.”

“She can be seen repeatedly throwing missiles at police,” continued Mr Bell, adding that she also provided missiles for others to throw.

Garner-Abbey’s barrister, Rebecca Tanner, said her client, who was aged 18 at the time of the disorder, only actually threw missiles in the form of stones towards police on two occasions, however.

Mr Bell continued: “She then commandeers the large blue stick again so it’s set alight, and passes it to another. She can be seen going around collecting items, and adding them to the blaze, before handing items to people present.”

He told the court that the two defendants were in a relationship from October 2023 until around a fortnight after the riots.

They were living in a tent, which was camped a short distance away from Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre, when they committed the offences.

Mr Bell said Garner-Abbey, of Station Road, Dunscroft, Doncaster, made a complaint to police about Wood concerning his behaviour towards her in December 2024, but ultimately decided against proceeding with it.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder at earlier hearings.

Mitigating for Garner-Abbey, Ms Tanner said she could not suggest her client was anything other than a “willing participant.”

Addressing the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, Ms Tanner continued: “My Lord has seen her appalling behaviour on the CCTV, and I don’t seek to suggest for one moment that she wasn’t a willing participant.”

She suggested, however, that a distinction could be made between those who involved themselves with the disorder in and around the Holiday Inn Express, and the Manvers Way rioting a short distance away, where Garner-Abbey committed her offence.

Ms Tanner continued: “She did not direct any aggression towards the hotel, or those within it. There’s no evidence she was using racially aggressive language. Her animosity was towards the police.”

Ms Tanner referred Judge Richardson to documentation from Garner-Abbey’s GP, confirming her pregnancy, after the case was adjourned last week for that to be obtained.

She suggested the pregnancy was completely unexpected; and as a consequence of which, she has been advised to come off the medication she was taking, which may prove to have an adverse effect on her.

Ms Tanner said Garner-Abbey has endured mental health difficulties, and during her “toxic” relationship with Wood, became isolated from her family. She suggested this has subsequently been mended, and her family continue to offer her their support.

The probation officer who authored Garner-Abbey’s pre-sentence report said she had spoken to HMP Newhall, where she may be sent should she receive a custodial sentence, and was satisfied they could accommodate her, and any complications which may arise during her pregnancy.

Judge Richardson said he wanted to carefully consider whether a prison sentence should be passed down, and adjourned sentence for Garner-Abbey until Thursday, June 19, 2025 and remanded her into custody until then.

Judge Richardson also adjourned Wood’s sentencing until Thursday, after difficulties over the video link meant his barrister Marc Luxford was unable to make submissions on his behalf during Monday’s hearing.

Wood, of Milton Street, Bootle, Sefton, was told he must remain in custody at HMP Doncaster until then.

The Manvers disorder was among last summer’s riots, all of which took place after misinformation was disseminated in the wake of a fatal stabbing in Southport that claimed the lives of three young girls.

Previous sentencing hearings for those involved with the disorder have heard that 58 police officers, three police dogs and one police horse were injured during the course of the violence.

Some 22 members of staff present within the hotel barricaded themselves inside a kitchen, using three freezers, fearing they would die, the court has previously heard.

The most recent update from South Yorkshire Police, dated June 3, 2025, revealed that a total of 110 people have been charged in connection to the violent disorder at Manvers so far.

Of the 110 charged, 91 have been sentenced to a combined total of 223 years in prison.

Sheffield Star

A man who was part of a rioting mob outside an asylum seeker hotel suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after adding fuel to a fire burning at the disorder.

William Bartholomew was filmed adding branches and twigs to the pyre near the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August before collapsing on a grass verge.

Bartholomew, of Wilson Avenue, Clowne, later told officers he had started to feel chest pains “due to the stress of everything”.

He admitted violent disorder and was jailed for two years at Sheffield Crown Court earlier.

Prosecutor Neil Coxon said as well as adding branches and wood to the already-lit fire, Bartholomew was filmed gesticulating aggressively at police officers and throwing missiles at them.

The 41-year-old collapsed on a grass verge a short time later, the court heard, and was taken to Barnsley General Hospital.

During a subsequent police interview, Bartholomew admitted his involvement but maintained he had no intention of being violent prior to attending the hotel.

He said he had been “full of anger at the time”, had not been taking his prescribed medication and was hearing voices.

Francis Edusei, mitigating, said a report found his client was vulnerable to making repeated errors and generally failed to learn from mistakes.

Bartholomew had undeveloped social cognition, Mr Edusei said, poor social judgement and suffered from autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

‘Venom of racism’

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said what took place in Rotherham that day “had nothing to do with legitimate public protest”.

“It has been my misfortune as well as my duty to have sentenced most of the cases arising from the major public disorder in Rotherham,” he said.

“In consequence I am extremely familiar with the events and all the CCTV footage.

“The venom of racism and racially-motivated violence suffused the events from first to last.”

The judge accepted Bartholomew did not start the fire but added: “It is not simply a case of what you did as an individual that matters for the purpose of sentencing you, it is the scenario as a whole which is important.”

In addition to his two-year jail sentence, he was also handed a criminal behaviour order for a period of 10 years.

Bartholomew had previous convictions, including assisting or encouraging self harm in relation to encouraging his partner to take her own life.

Mr Coxon told the court Bartholomew received an 18-month community order for the offence.

BBC News

A thug who threw bottles at police during a far right protest sparked by the murder of three schoolgirls in Southport last year has been jailed by a judge.

Mason O’Toole was said to have been at the forefront of a violent demonstration in Blackpool just days after the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Police bodycam footage played in court showed the 23-year-old throwing missiles, goading officers and shouting slogans like “sink the boats”.

O’Toole, of Beresford Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and was sent to prison for two years nine months.

Judge Ian Unsworth KC told him he had been part of “an angry mob which took to the streets of the resort filled with hate.”

Blackpool was one of several locations around the UK where far right demonstrations were organised following riots in Southport on the day of the murders.

About 1,000 protestors gathered in the resort on the following Saturday and a number of arrests were made by scores of baton-wielding police who spent more than six hours trying to quell the trouble.

Passing sentence on O’Toole, Judge Unsworth said: “This was mindless thuggery which had its origins in the tragic events six days earlier. On the 29th of July three little girls were killed – murdered – in a knife attack at a holiday dance class.

“Others used these events as an opportunity to spread false information. Police (in Southport) had to deal with an outbreak of large-scale mass disorder. And that spread to other parts of the country, like here in Blackpool.

“A violent disorder charge is (designed) to protect the public from mob violence on the streets. Each participant act is capable of stirring up and encouraging others to behave in a similar way.

“Lancashire prides itself in its inclusive and cohesive communities. These (actions) are not a reflection of what the people of Blackpool stand for.”

The court heard that because of the trouble in various locations around Blackpool many businesses had to shut early and shop staff were left frightened to leave.

The demonstrators gathered at the resort’s Cenotaph before marching through the town. Trouble began in St John’s Square with one person reportedly being seriously injured. There were also confrontations in Talbot Square, the Houndshill Shopping Centre and other parts of central Blackpool.

At one point the protestors came across a counter demonstration staged by people attending the Rebellion punk festival nearby.

Judge Unsworth said police came under attack from the mob some of whom wore masks and were using racist language and displaying racist signs.

He said the action was “angry, self-indulgent, lawless behaviour”. And because of the relentless nature of the protest trams and buses were brought to a complete standstill.

He added that at one point demonstrators “outrageously asked taxi drivers to provide documents to prove their nationality”.

Glass bottles, bins and street furniture were thrown at officers. “Inevitably some of the officers and their animals (dogs) were injured.”

Lancashire’s Chief Constable said his officers had not only suffered physical injuries but also psychological problems as a result of what happened that day. Morale, he said, had “inevitably been affected”.

Judge Unsworth said that because of the actions of the mob other officers who should have been deployed to police other parts of the area had been caught up in the trouble.

He told O’Toole: “Your behaviour was utterly disgraceful. You were drunk. You were seen walking towards the police. It can be seen (on video footage) that your actions at that time encouraged the mob to behave like they were, seemingly galvanised. You seem encouraged by the attention you had brought upon yourself.”

In addition to chants of “sink the boats” O’Tool was also heard to hurl more abuse at officers, at one point shouting “You’re protecting people who shouldn’t be in our country more than our own people”.

He then screamed at them “you stink – you horrible b******s”. He even continued being abusive after he was arrested. In an interview at the police station he gave “no comment” answers.

The prosecution said prior to this arrest his record showed 15 previous offences including ones for violence, malicious communication and possession of cocaine.

Victim impact statements read to the court included a representative of the NHS who said paramedic staff were left feeling unsafe and unwelcome that day. A senior police officer said people had been forced to flee for their own safety and his officers had faced “four to five hours of violence and threats of violence.”

A spokesperson for the North Pier said: “Blackpool doesn’t represent what had taken place.” Blackpool Tower said it had to close that afternoon to protect staff and customers.

The Winter Gardens venue said it had to take on extra staff that day due to the threat of trouble and, at one point, had decided to go into lockdown when the protestors approached. A staff member described it as “the most unpleasant day” they had ever experienced at work. She added: “They (the demonstrators) were out of control”.

Blackpool Council said: “Here in Blackpool we pride ourselves in being inclusive.” The authority said the behaviour that day “was not a reflection of what we stand for and was completely unacceptable”.

And Houndshill Shopping Centre said its traders had lost a lot of money by having to close down that afternoon. “The impact has been profound,” said the venue.

Barrister Claire Larton, for O’Toole, said her client accepted responsibility for his behaviour that day. He was a young man who lacked maturity.

“There was an element here of being caught up in the incident and getting carried away,” she said. And she added he wanted to distance himself from the far right motives surrounding the protest. “He acknowledges the seriousness of his position.”

Ms Larton asked the judge to consider passing a sentence which did not mean an immediate prison sentence.

But Judge Unsworth said the seriousness of the offence meant it merited a custodial sentence.

He said the angry mob had been “spewing hatred” and he told O’Toole he had played an “active and enthusiastic role that every decent member of the community will have been appalled by what you and others did”.

“The courts will typically impose severe sentences to large scale and violent public disorder.”

He said the protest had cost the resort and its traders thousands of pounds, had brought the entire bus and tram network to a halt, and had injured several police officers.

The fact that O’Toole had tried excuse his behaviour that day as “standing up for the country and what was right” was “utterly deluded.”

“You were an active participant, inciting others. You threw more than one missile. Vulnerable people , mainly children, were present. And you committed it while under the influence of alcohol.

“I accept that you are remorseful and no doubt you regret it. But only a sentence of immediate custody can be appropriate in this case.”

O’Toole shouted “love you” to members of his family sitting in the public gallery and waved as he was taken down to the cells.

Blackpool Gazette

He told a court it was an ‘act of idiocy’ after stealing four boxes of bath bombs and being involved in the violent disorder last summer

One of the troublemakers who joined in scenes “resembling a war zone” during rioting and looting in Hull city centre last summer has told a court: “I lost my head.”

Jordan Briggs had been drinking all morning when he decided to go and have a look at what was happening and – as an “act of idiocy” – join in the serious disturbances. He was one of many who raided the Lush store and he stole four boxes of bath bombs, Hull Crown Court heard.

Briggs, 24, of Hull, admitted offences of violent disorder and burglary of the Lush shop on August 3.

Jane Rapin, prosecuting, said that the offences took place in the days following the murders of three girls in Southport. Briggs was seen in the area of Jameson Street – described by police as “resembling a war zone”.

He was pushing a commercial waste bin, with smoke coming from it, towards police. “Lit waste bins were being used as burning missiles and were being pushed towards officers,” said Miss Rapin.

Briggs was carrying a scaffolding plank when he and another man were later seen. “They took it to the police line and threw it towards officers who were holding a line,” said Miss Rapin. “The men disappeared back into the crowd.”

Briggs was shown on CCTV pictures going into the Lush store in Jameson Street at about 6.50pm. “Once inside, he approached a stand and took four boxes containing bath bombs,” said Miss Rapin. “He put those into a shopping basket and then left the store.” The items were valued at £120.

“In one of the stills, he is masked and is seen with a scarf around his face. He was identified following a media appeal by the police and he was arrested on October 16,” said Miss Rapin. Briggs was found at the scene of a completely unrelated incident.

A Lush employee later said on August 7 that the targeting of the store had taken a “physical, mental and emotional toll” on staff. “This incident has massively impacted all of us, some of whom can’t bring themselves to come into the store,” she said.

“When I first saw the footage, I was horrified. We are very upset about what has happened and feel very anxious and feel that this will have a massive impact on us.” Many hours had been spent cleaning up. The overall loss to Lush had been put at £31,862, including repairs of £22,000.

Briggs told the court: “It was an act of idiocy. I had been drinking all morning. I went in the Spring Bank Tavern and they told me they were closing because of what was happening in town. I went to look. I saw one of my friends getting pushed by a police officer. I lost my head.”

Briggs said that he had moved down to Stevenage with his 20-year-old fiancee. “I went down to stay with her for a weekend and haven’t been back,” he said. “I play football for a church team and sometimes go fishing. I want to go to college and do a course or something.”

During police interview, Briggs made no comment to questions. He had convictions for four previous offences between 2017 and last year, including possessing a knife, bring drunk and disorderly and theft. He was in breach of a one-year suspended prison sentence imposed on January 29 last year for theft.

Billy Torbett, mitigating, said: “His behaviour on August 3 was quite simply unacceptable and he knows that custody is, unfortunately, inevitable in this case.”

Briggs, who had been on bail and was recently living in Cuttys Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was jailed for two years.

Hull Daily Mail

Dad-of-five Ricardo Ferranti had been ‘buying clothes for a party’ when the Hanley riots erupted

Ex-squaddie Ricardo Ferranti has been jailed after he chanted, shouted abuse, obstructed police vehicles and pushed an officer during the Hanley riots. The 41-year-old also shadow-boxed in front of an officer who was trying to keep the peace in Town Road on August 3.

The defendant broke through the police line but was detained by a police dog which bit him twice. Now Ferranti has been jailed for 25 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said Ferranti was captured on video during the disturbance. At 10.50am he was seen joining in chanting in Cannon Place. In Broad Street he stood in front of a police vehicle on two occasions and shouted, ‘We want our country back’.

Miss Cortese said: “In Broad Street he shouted and raised his finger in the air and shouted, ‘Allah, Allah, who the **** is Allah’? He raised both hands in the air and shouted towards counter-protesters.

“On Potteries Way he could be seen walking along the police line. He got very close to one of the officers. He reached over the officer to point a finger at the counter-protesters. The officer used a shield to push him back.

“He pushed the officer and shadow-boxed in front of him. He moved towards the officer and began to argue with him. He was struck by the shield. He pushed the officer back.

“He was further seen on body worn footage to say, ‘You are all a bunch of rapists and f****** scum’. He walked past the police and ran between the gap and was detained by a police dog. When detained he said he had done nothing wrong and was just going home.”

The defendant told police he had no idea the protest was taking place and had gone to Hanley to buy clothes for a party. He said he went to go home and ran. But the police dog bit him twice and he had an injury which was treated with staples and a stitch.

Ferranti, of Victoria Avenue, Kidsgrove, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Scott Ashdown, mitigating, said: “He said they were herded around like cattle. Rather than distance himself from the herd he contributed to that herd mentality. He demonstrates a significant degree of insight into the damage or harm that comes from such large-scale disorder. He is disgusted, with hindsight, when looking at how he behaved and what he contributed to on this day. He has no relevant previous convictions. He has been a valuable member of the community. A reference from his commanding officer described him as a gentleman and an exemplary soldier during his time in the armed forces.”

Mr Ashdown said Ferranti is married and the breadwinner for five children. He added: “There is remorse. It is genuine.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “Any individual is entitled to protest but that does not include a right to use or threaten violence. But many protests did result in violence.

“The disorder in Hanley started in Cannon Place. You were seen in that location. It moved up and ended up around Town Road where there is a mosque and Islamic centre. It is close to The Potteries Centre with cinemas and restaurants and next to a park. It was a Saturday when many members of the public would have been out eating, shopping and enjoying their leisure time. You had gone to shop.

“There was a substantial police presence. The violence ranged from pushing and shoving to the throwing of missiles. You were injured when you were taken to the ground by a police dog when you ran through a police line.

“Verbal abuse was exchanged with protesters and the police, who were simply keeping the peace. You were involved in the verbal elements of what happened.

“The protest moved to Town Road with the intention of getting to the mosque.

“You had gone into Hanley. You were joining in very enthusiastically with the protest shouting and pushing people at the police line. There is no suggestion you threw any missiles. You moved to Broad Street where you obstructed police vehicles and continued shouting and chanting. You continued for a number of hours to enthusiastically participate in what happened.

“In Town Road you were challenging officers. There was pushing and shoving. You were pushed back. You shadow-boxed in the direction of an officer and you continued with the chants.”

Stoke Sentinel

The 21-year-old has now been sent to prison

A young man who picked up a piece of wood as a riot gripped Hanley has been jailed. Kenneth Fern, aged 21, held the wood as he walked towards counter-protesters near a mosque in Town Road on August 3 last year.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he did not throw anything towards the rival group or the police and there was no evidence of him making any racial comments. But the judge said there was religious hostility during the disturbance which was an aggravating feature.

Now Fern has been jailed for 27 months. Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said Fern was captured on CCTV getting close to the police line. Miss Cortese said: “He took issue with not being able to go on his way and argued with the police officer.

“He is seen rummaging around in a derelict garden and he picked up a large piece of wood. He held it as he walked towards counter-protesters. Anything he said cannot be heard. As he moved around the area he was seen to pick up something on the ground.”

Fern, of Meadow Road, Chell Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Anis Ali, mitigating, said Fern’s involvement was relatively minor. He said: “He was not involved for the full duration of the incident. He was not involved in conveying racist comments. He was not involved in the throwing of projectiles or missiles.

“There is some concern that he came into possession of a piece of wood. That piece of wood was not used as a weapon. He should not have been there. He realises that this was something he should not have got involved in.

“He was of hitherto good character. The indications are that he has matured since. He is in settled accommodation and in a supportive relationship with his partner. He is in full-time employment. The prospects of rehabilitation are good and there is a low risk of further offending.”

Judge Richard McConaghy said Fern’s offending was so serious only immediate prison was appropriate. Judge McConaghy said: “On August 3 last year the main protest took place in and around Town Road and the area of the mosque and that protest descended into violence.

“Police in riot gear attended to try to keep the peace. The violence continued. Threats were made with weapons. Some had been brought to the scene. Others were picked up there. Missiles such as bricks were thrown. Pieces of wood were picked up and brandished. Police were abused and argued with by people intent on not protesting but threatening and using unlawful violence.

“This all took place on a Saturday afternoon when the town centre was busy. Public safety and public order were put under severe threat.

“You were present. You armed yourself with a piece of wood at the scene. You delved into a disused and overgrown garden to find it. You were seen to pick up a stone at one stage. You tried to get towards police and the counter-protesters by using false excuses that you were just walking down the road.

“There is no evidence that you threw any item. You did not use the weapon, you picked it up. I do find that the protest that descended into violence did have a degree of religious hostility to it. I find the religious hostility was an aggravating feature.

“You had been a cocaine and alcohol user in the run up to the summer of last year. But that use has been significantly curtailed.”

Stoke Sentinel

He’s the latest defendant to be dealt with following the Hanley riot

A man who threw missiles towards counter-protesters and police during a violent disorder in Hanley has been jailed. Colin Miller, aged 35, picked up rocks and hurled them towards the rival group and police officers who were trying to maintain order.

He admitted to a probation officer that he used racist language during the disturbance. Now Miller has been jailed for 27 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said the defendant’s involvement in the violence in Hanley on August 3 last year was captured on CCTV. Miss Cortese said: “He was in and around Hanley town centre. He was seen walking down towards the counter-protesters. He was stopped by police who told him to go or pushed him back on two occasions.

“No comments could be heard due to the noise from other protesters. He was caught several times picking up an item from the ground and throwing it in the direction of counter-protesters.

“He picked up a third item and threw it towards counter-protesters and bent down to pick up a fourth. He walked down Town Road with a rock in his hand. He was seen to throw the rock towards counter-protesters and the police.

“He picked up rocks and threw them to the ground causing them to break into small pieces. Someone else picked them up and made off with them.”

The defendant was arrested on October 31 when he attended the police station. Miller, of Cemetery Road, Knutton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Hamish Noble, mitigating, said Miller had no previous convictions. He has issues with his mental health and has not worked for some time. Mr Noble said: “He was in town and saw a drone. He followed it and became involved. He was disinhibited by alcohol.

“His actions that day are very much regretted. He apologises through me. He is aware of the impact there has been on the city and on Hanley that day. He should not have acted in the way he did.

“He was not a leader in this. Others were more aggressive than he was. There is a feeling of him going along with the crowd, rather than leading it.

“There is no evidence of racist comments on the footage. He has been frank with the pre-sentence report writer and accepts this.

“He became aware of (his picture) being circulated on social media and handed himself in. He does not have any entrenched or pro-criminal attitudes. He allowed himself to take part in the racist comments.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “You were initially seen on one side of Hanley. You were shouting, waving your arms and moving towards the counter-protester group. It is not known exactly what you were saying.

“The protest moved to the other side of Hanley to Town Road and was heading towards a mosque or Islamic centre. That particular area is in the centre of Hanley, very close to the Potteries Shopping Centre, cinema, restaurant and a park. It was a Saturday. Members of the public would have been out shopping and enjoying their leisure time.

“The disorder lasted for several hours. There was a substantial police presence. Many of those who attended the protest conducted themselves peacefully but many did not. Weapons were brandished. Missiles were thrown, including by you. A number of people, protesters and police, were injured. Verbal abuse was exchanged.

“The protest was moving towards an Islamic building with the intent of trying to get to that building. There was a period of about half an hour when you were caught either throwing missiles towards the mosque or directly towards the police line, on one occasion. You were also caught on video holding rocks and breaking up rocks, which one other person I have already sentenced picked up and threw towards counter-protesters and the police.”

Stoke Sentinel