A man who exposed his penis to a line of police officers during mob violence has been jailed.

Thomas Ward, 35, was also seen in social media footage throwing a plank of wood at police during unrest in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on 3 August.

The father-of-five had deliberately targeted female officers when he “waved his penis”, Manchester Crown Court heard.

The clash was part of a nationwide outbreak of unrest sparked by misinformation spread online after a stabbing attack in Southport which left three children dead on 29 July.

‘Ridiculous behaviour’

Ward was jailed for two years and eight months.

Earlier, in the same court, a man who had never been in trouble with the police before was jailed for 20 months for violent disorder.

Judge Field said he had been handed a “legion of testimonials” praising Graham Brookes.

The 42-year-old had been caught on camera hurling a pint of cider at police officers and later kicking out at one during the Piccadilly Gardens disorder.

Tim Storey, KC, defending, said his client’s life was “characterised by stability” and described his as “community-minded” and “not a racist man”.

Judge Field said there was “no reasonable answer” as to how Brookes had become involved in “this sort of nasty, brutish public violence”.

A man who threw an e-cigarette at a hotel for asylum seekers was jailed for two years and two months

Lynden Parker, 26, pleaded guilty to violent disorder during a riot outside the hotel in Newton Heath on 31 July.

Bricks and glass bottles were thrown as a mob of people surrounded and attacked a passing bus.

Judge Field said Parker was “encouraging and spurring on others” by throwing the missile while “part of a mob”.

‘Severe consquences’

The judge said Parker appeared to have been motivated by “deeply unpleasant, ignorant and possibly extremist racist views”.

“People like you who involve themselves and participate in such violence, bringing terror and disorder into this city, must expect severe consequences by way of severe custodial sentences,” he added.

Judge Field also dealt with a young mother who was told she would be sentenced on 23 September for throwing water from a bottle towards police during the Newton Heath riot.

Nevey Smith, 21, of West Street, Oldham, who earlier pleaded guilty, was seen in footage throwing the liquid while pushing a child in a pushchair during the disorder.

Judge Field released her on bail but told her she could still possibly face jail.

Separately, a man from Greater Manchester who threw missiles at police outside a mosque in Southport has been jailed.

Luke Summerfield, 33, of Mansfield Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, was sentenced to two years and two months.

Ward, of Colliery Street in Manchester, appeared via videolink from HMP Birmingham after previously pleading guilty to violent disorder and exposure.

Verity Quaite, defending, told the court Ward had been “lashing out” on the day after being told his father was terminally ill.

Ward could be seen making the sign of the cross as Ms Quaite described how he was “unlikely to see his father again”.

The court heard he had 123 offences on his record.

Judge Patrick Field, KC, said it was fortunate no-one had been hurt when Ward “launched” the plank of wood.

“Furthermore you decided it was appropriate to expose your penis to the line of police officers,” he added.

“You waved it about, clearly intending to cause alarm, distress and disgust.

“It perhaps aptly demonstrates how ridiculous your behaviour was on this occasion.”
A line of police officers with riot helmets face a group of anti-immigration rioters in Manchester

BBC News