Tag Archives: Miles Platting

Large scale disorder broke out across the country after three young children were killed in Southport

They were days that will live in infamy in Greater Manchester’s history. Division and chaos reigned.

The deaths of three young girls in Southport led to a wave of disorder throughout the UK, and Manchester did not avoid such trouble. Wholly inaccurate claims about the identity and ethnicity of the alleged attacker spread online.

Fuelled by anger and inspired by disinformation, thugs took to the streets intent on causing trouble. Disorder erupted outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Newton Heath, on July 31, after a Facebook post swirled that afternoon.

“Let’s get them out,” it menacingly declared. Missiles were thrown towards the building, a bus was attacked and its driver injured, and asylum seekers, vulnerable individuals seeking help, were terrorised.

The far-right sought to capitalise on the division and called a demonstration for Manchester city centre on Saturday, August 3. The incident soon turned violent. Shocking video footage emerged of a lone black man being attacked by a baying mob.

Thugs then advanced down Mosley Street and stormed a Sainsbury’s store as innocent customers tried to shop. A vape store came under heavy attack, as yobs kicked its windows with a road sign being launched at it.

The following day, the trouble moved to Bolton. Another demonstration had been called by the far-right, with counter-protestors also present. Missiles were thrown as police dealt with mass disorder. Ever since, police have been tracking down and charging rioters.

Over the past three months, dozens of yobs have felt the full force of the law as their cases were speedily brought through the courts. The M.E.N. has extensively covered the ensuing court cases, and have now analysed the sentences handed down since August.

Of those in the dock, 39 were men, six were women and seven were children, the youngest being a 12-year-old boy. Jail sentences totalling more than 80 years have been handed down. The longest single jail sentence was imposed on a ‘violent racist’ for his part in a disgraceful attack in Piccadilly Gardens.

In chronological order from August until this month, here are the 52 rioters who faced justice.

1) James Nelson

Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two months in prison on August 6 and ordered to pay £4,999 compensation at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Teenager in pink balaclava jailed for his part in shameful disorder in Bolton – and handed massive compo bill

2) Mathew Edge

Edge, 34, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 12 months in prison on August 13 at Bolton Crown Court.

Balaclava-clad thug who turned up at Bolton protest armed with hammer made ‘very bad stupid mistake’

3) Paul Smith

Smith, 21, of Keynsham Road, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and 10 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

He thought he’d disguised himself in the chaos – but one smiling photo was all it took to bring him down

4) Joseph Ley

Ley, 30, of Hardman Street, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years and two months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

Racist brute launched sickening attack on lone black man during far-right protests

5) Oliver Chapman

Chapman, 23, of Duke Street, Radcliffe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

‘I’ve done some silly spinning kick’: Man jailed after making ‘terrible mistake’ in front of police

6) Daniel Hanslip

Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and two months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

As a soldier he served his country distinction, but his downfall was significant

7) Colin Demulder

Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and eight months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

As a soldier he served his country distinction, but his downfall was significant

8) Kane Kelly

Kelly, 24, of Woodford Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and five months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

As a soldier he served his country distinction, but his downfall was significant

9) Anthony Livesey

Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and breaching a suspended sentence. Sentenced to four years and two months, comprising of 32 months for the violent disorder, and a further 18 months for being in breach of a suspended sentence, on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

As a soldier he served his country distinction, but his downfall was significant

10) Lynden Parker

Parker, 26, of Douglas Street, Salford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

He launched a vape at an asylum seeker hotel during disorder before ‘celebrating’ in the pub

11) Thomas Ward

Ward, 35, of Colliery Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and exposure. Sentenced to 32 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

Rioter exposed his genitals to police before throwing plank of wood at officers

12) Graham Brookes

Brookes, 42, of Frogmore Avenue, Hyde, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

Rioter exposed his genitals to police before throwing plank of wood at officers

13) Dane Freeman

Freeman, 25, of Timson Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court

Man launched bottles at police and smashed up bricks during disorder outside asylum seeker hotel

14) Warren Gilchrest

Warren Gilchrest (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Gilchrest, 52, of North Road, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court.

The dark past of thug who filmed brutal Piccadilly Gardens attack – and the disturbing discovery at his home

15) Lee Upton

Upton, 54, of Bailey Lane, Wythenshawe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison on August 22 at Manchester Crown Court.

Topless thug tried to hide his face during Piccadilly riots… it didn’t work

16) Carl Ryan

Ryan, 55, of Collin Avenue, Gorton, Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

Rioter who joined mob attack on lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens sobs as he’s spared jail

17) Mark Bridgeford

Bridgeford, 50, of Canon Street, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

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

18) Niall Charnock

Charnock, 31, of Edward Street, Farnworth, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 27 at Bolton Crown Court.

Rioter draped in England flag barged into ‘neutral zone’ and ‘launched plastic bottle’ at police in Bolton

19) Lewis Whitworth

Whitworth, 30, of Costabeck Walk, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on August 28 at Manchester Crown Court.

Laughing rioter who served time for dealing cocaine and heroin joined baying mob outside asylum seeker hotel

20) Nigel Simpson

Simpson, 57, of Deerfold, Chorley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on August 28 at Bolton Crown Court.

Thug who went to Bolton town centre carrying St George’s flag claimed he never meant to riot

21) Charlie Mott

Mott, 28, of Barton Close, Eccles, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft from a shop and criminal damage. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on September 1 at Manchester Crown Court.

He claimed he had gone shopping at Sainsbury’s – CCTV told a very different story

22) Dane Potter

Potter, 39, of Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on September 4 at Bolton Crown Court.

Tree surgeon who claimed he ‘found himself in middle’ of riot holds head in hands as truth comes out

23) Scott Chadwick

Chadwick, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft and violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and six months in prison on September 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

He knows what he did was ‘beyond stupid’, now he’s paying the price

24) Kye McGlade

McGlade, 24, of Oldham Street, Manchester. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft and criminal damage. Sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on September 10 at Manchester Crown Court.

Violent mob screamed ‘they’re taking our jobs’ as they stormed Sainsbury’s during Piccadilly Gardens riot

25) 14-year-old boy

Footage has emerged appearing to show a group of demonstrators smashing up a vape shop amid protests in Manchester city centre on Saturday (August 3). (Image: Submitted)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and obstructing a police constable. Sentenced to a ten month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Parents’ horror at son’s actions after going into town for first time by himself

26) 15-year-old boy

Police responding to a protest in Newton Heath (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and assaulting an emergency worker. Sentenced to a 12 month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Cocky teenager who thought it was all a big joke shamed by his mum with one-word put-down

27) 12-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder at Newton Heath on July 31 and Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Mum who missed 12-year-old rioter son’s court date slapped with £1,200 fine – the same price as her holiday to Ibiza

28) 16-year-old boy

Riot police in Bolton last Sunday (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. Sentenced to an 18 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Boy faces justice after he’s seen pulling terrifying weapon from trousers

29) Andrew Phillips

Phillips, 28, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.

The cowards left ashamed after watching their ‘unpleasant, deplorable’ actions back

30) David Green

Green, 41, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.

The cowards left ashamed after watching their ‘unpleasant, deplorable’ actions back

31) Kemmy Grange

Grange, 20, of Elysian Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and possession of a class B drug. Sentenced to two and a half years in prison on September 14 at Manchester Crown Court.

Barrister claims disorder outside hotel housing asylum seekers was ‘less about racism’ and ‘more about’ anti-government sentiment

32) Tracy Pearson

Pearson, 53, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

Partners in crime…the couple separated for first time in 25 years after being locked up for their part in ‘deplorable’ riot

33) Michelle Jibson

Jibson, 45, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

Partners in crime…the couple separated for first time in 25 years after being locked up for their part in ‘deplorable’ riot

34) 13-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

‘You’ll be paying it back’: The mums filled with shame as their arrogant sons are taken down a peg in court

35) 14-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

‘You’ll be paying it back’: The mums filled with shame as their arrogant sons are taken down a peg in court

36) Ryan Leckey

Ryan Leckey was jailed for 16 months (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Leckey, 24, of Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

Business owner went to the pub to celebrate – then took his balaclava off

37) Darren Butler

Darren Butler was jailed for 17 months (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Butler, 42, of Cattlin Way, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

Business owner went to the pub to celebrate – then took his balaclava off

38) 17-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to criminal damage and violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to a 12 month intensive youth rehabilitation order on September 19 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

‘I’m not having that, I wasn’t born yesterday…’: Judge’s explosive rant at boy’s pathetic rioting excuse

39) Liam Ryan

Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on September 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

Yob who travelled to Manchester to ‘join in’ with riots moaned jail was ‘frightening’

40) Nevey Smith

Smith, 21, of West Street, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month community order on September 23 at Manchester Crown Court.

Mum, 21, pushing her baby in a pram slammed for ‘extraordinary’ decision

41) Zakaria Sadiq

Sadiq, 21, of Bentinck Street, Farnworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on September 25 at Bolton Crown Court.

‘He says it was a moment of madness on his part’

42) Thomas Richard

Richard, 56, of Kingsland Close, Miles Platting. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on September 25 at Manchester Crown Court.

Spitting racist thugs ‘violated, degraded and dehumanised’ woman caught in middle of Piccadilly Gardens ‘protest’

43) Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Smith, 42, of Farnborough Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.

A pram, a gran and a shameful family day out in Newton Heath

44) Lindsay Keenan

Lindsay Keenan (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Keenan, 50, of Glen Grove, Middleton. Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.

‘What on earth brought on this?’: Mum-of-two loses job following ‘appalling and deplorable’ scenes

45) Steven Miller

Miller, 38, Kennington Avenue, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 15 months in prison on September 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

‘We’re protecting our kids…’ rioter told he displayed ‘extraordinary level of ignorance’

46) Shaun Holt

Holt, 42, of Oak Road, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on October 3 at Manchester Crown Court.

The smirking paedophile hunter now in jail

47) Anthony Whitelegg

Whitelegg, 40, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

“They were frightened and terrified”: A trip to Wetherspoons ended in jail

48) Aaron Davy

Davy, 18, of Liney Road, Cheadle. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

“They were frightened and terrified”: A trip to Wetherspoons ended in jail

49) Daylan Burgess

Burgess, 20, of Regent Square, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

Climbing up scaffolding, storming Sainsbury’s and trying to smash a window… all ‘a bit of fun’

50) Laurence Dunkerley

Manchester Crown Court (Image: ABNM Photography)

Dunkerley, 37, of Marlborough Drive, Failsworth, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 7 at Manchester Crown Court.

He drove past a baying mob and parked in front of watching cops before grabbing a bottle of beer and joining in

51) Aaron Johnson

Johnson, 33, of Criterion Street, Stockport, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred in Stockport on August 5. Sentenced to two years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court on October 10.

‘Wake up d***heads… it’s a civil war’: YouTuber jailed for stirring up racial hatred outside asylum seeker hotel

52) Destiny Waugh

A beauty therapy student turned up to a riot in a yellow dress and bought eggs that were handed out to teenagers and launched ‘as missiles’ towards police during violent disorder in Newton Heath. Destiny Waugh, 19, walked to a Shell garage near to where the scenes of disorder were unfolding, on Oldham Road on July 31 this year, and bought two cartons of six eggs, Manchester Crown Court heard. (Image: GMP)

Waugh, 19, of Risbury Walk, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months at Manchester Crown Court on October 15.

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She turned up to a riot wearing a yellow dress and holding a box of eggs – then ended up in court

Manchester Evening News

Spitting racist thugs ‘violated, degraded and dehumanised’ woman caught in middle of Piccadilly Gardens ‘protest’

By virginiagolden

September 25, 2024

Uncategorized

‘I could feel how hateful those words were, especially as I was there on my own without anyone I knew’

A woman was subjected to vile racist abuse before being spat on during the ‘protests’ in Manchester last month.

Thomas Richard, 56, was one of a large group who gathered in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Footage played to Manchester Crown Court, showed how the group encircled three young women who were wearing hijabs and headscarves before hurling Islamophobic abuse at them.

During the disorder a number of males, including Richard, can be seen spitting towards them. One of the women, who had been out shopping in the city centre, was spat on by another man, with the spit landing on her face.

The ‘protest’ arose after false information about the identity and background of the man accused of killing three children in Southport was spread online.

Earlier pleading guilty to violent disorder, today (September 24) Richard, of Miles Platting, was jailed.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the woman said: “I am very much appalled and disgraced at the behaviour of the far-right EDL members towards myself. The assault was completely unprovoked as I was just watching from a sensible distance and do not feel under any circumstances I deserved what had happened to me.

“Being spat on is a despicable act that made me feel extremely violated, degraded and dehumanised. I felt scared and worried for my safety (and others) in that moment and I still do.

“As a result of this assault I am now terrified to leave my own home because of these people and what happened to me.”

The court heard that the 22-year-old who describes herself as a white British woman, wearing a hijab and a keffiyeh scarf, representing Palestine, was observing the large group and police in Piccadilly Gardens during the afternoon.

“Seeing that the group were becoming more violent, and the police were trying to disperse them in a different direction, she tried to go across Piccadilly Gardens,” prosecutor Kate Gaskell said.

“She heard shouts of “Stop the boats” AND “Go back home”, as well as comments about her God, Allah, and religion. She said ‘I could feel how hateful those words were, especially as I was there on my own without anyone I knew’.

“She was confronted by one member who said, ‘What are you doing here, can’t you see you are antagonising us’. She informed him she was simply watching. In retrospect she thought perhaps she should have left but she didn’t want to let them win, and it was a public place.”

The court heard that the situation escalated quickly, during which time two Muslim girls in headscarves came to join her. They were quickly surrounded by a large group of individuals chanting “Go back home.”

The woman told them to leave the two girls alone, at which point the insults were directed at her, and a large number began filming her. They commented that she had been brainwashed, and asked whether she had been married when she was 6 years old, it was said.

The crowd became more aggressive and started shouting ‘Get that terrorist flag off her’ pulling her Keffiyeh scarf before several Muslim males came to assist her.

“Before she had a chance to move, she felt spit land on her right cheek,” Ms Gaskell added.

In footage obtained by the police, Richard could be seen chanting and pointing his fingers in a gun gesture at the three girls, shouting: ‘F*** off home.”

“He was aggressively shouting and spat in the direction of the three girls, though he was not responsible for the spit that landed on the victim,” the prosecutor said.

“The defendant continued shouting ‘F*** off home’ and then ‘F*** off to Palestine’. One of the photojournalists present further heard him say something to the effect of ‘Take the burkas’ and ‘We want our country back’.

Damien Zelazowski, mitigating, conceded that the three young women were ‘targeted’ by the group for some time, and were ‘pursued’ when they were under police protection.

On the day in question, he said: “He was passing through on his way to St Anne’s Square to go to the footbank. He saw the protests and became involved in the incident thinking it would be more peaceful than it was.

“But he didn’t move away and he became more involved. He does offer his apologies, he is ashamed of what took place. He became emboldened by the crown and, to use his wording, swept up.”

Sentencing Richard, who has 55 previous convictions for 141 offences, Judge Patrick Field KC said the ‘protest’ had the appearance of people ‘venting ill informed and ignorant prejudices’.

“They were racist, ill informed and Islamophobia chanting and vile abuse towards her. Her calm defiance in the fact of what was being said to her was frankly admirable and humbling,” he said.

“She stood up for herself and her beliefs in the face of the nasty, ill educated and intolerant comments. She said she felt dehumanised by what happened to her – she demonstrated more humanity than many others present.

“You were threatening and deliberately insulting her not because you took a personal dislike to her, but simply because of her Muslim faith.”

Richard, of Kingsland Close, Miles Platting, was jailed for 20 months. He was also banned from entering a certain area in Manchester city centre for three years under the terms of a criminal behaviour order.

Manchester Evening News

Bare-chested dad-of-three ‘behaved like a wild animal’ as he attacked bus and launched bricks at police

By virginiagolden

September 7, 2024

Uncategorized

Father-of-three Joshua Stokes could ‘offer no explanation’ why he took part in the violent disorder in Newton Heath

A father-of-three who ‘played a leading role’ in mob violence that erupted in north Manchester following the deaths of three young girls in Southport told a court he had ‘no explanation’ for why took part in the sickening disorder.

Joshua Stokes was described as ‘behaving like a wild animal’ as he repeatedly hurled bricks at police and tried to kick in the door of a passing bus in Newton Heath on July 31, Manchester Crown Court heard. CCTV played in court showed a bare-chested Stokes taking a ‘running leap’ at the bus doors before kicking them three times.

The bus driver, who was injured after being assaulted by another member of the mob, said the attack left him terrified.

Police footage also showed Stokes, 25, smashing a brick into smaller pieces to be thrown at police, then a short while later repeatedly hurling bricks at officers. When he was arrested on a nearby street, he was said to be holding two pint glasses in his outstretched arms.

As police forced him to the floor he swung one of those glasses into the side of a Pc, causing it to shatter. The officer wasn’t injured. The court heard as he was arrested Stokes shouted: “You’re letting them take our kids. Protect our kids.”

Stokes had three previous convictions for four offences, including a section 18 wounding for which he was jailed for four years.

During the disorder, which took place outside a Holiday Inn on Oldham Road which was housing asylum seekers, including families and children, racist chants were heard and bricks and bottles were hurled at police and the hotel. A resident of the hotel was injured after he was hit by flying glass.

Manchester Crown Court heard it was organised via Facebook in a post that read ‘Let’s get them out. 6pm today,’ followed by three clenched fist emojis and a St George’s flag.

Jonathan Savage, defending, said Stokes was unaware of the social media post which led to the disorder, a claim the judge said he took with ‘some degree of conjecture’. And, Mr Savage, said Stokes, who suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression, following a ‘series of assaults’, could offer no explanation for why he came to be involved.

Mr Savage said: “He simply cannot explain how he was drawn into the violence. He is thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.

“He knows the impact it had had on the community. He knows the impact it has had on his children, who he misses desperately.”

Stokes, of Lifton Avenue, Miles Platting, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker. Jailing him for three years Judge John Potter said his actions were ‘despicable’ and described him as a ‘determined and violent individual’.

He added: “You played a leading and significant role in this violent disorder because you indulged yourself in violence in four different locations.”

GMP said they were unable to release Stokes’ custody image.

Manchester Evening News