They admitted violent disorder following the horrific scenes in the city centre last August
Two more troublemakers have been locked up after serious scenes of violence, disorder and looting broke out in Hull city centre in August.
They were the latest to appear at Hull Crown Court after a frightening outbreak of serious disturbances, including outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time.
Ethan Armstrong, 26, of Raven Walk, off Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3. He was jailed for two years and 10 months.
Morgan Williams, 20, of Wenlock Terrace, off Rustenburg Street, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and burglary at the O2 and Greggs stores on the same day. He was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years.
Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that a large-scale demonstration took place in Hull city centre which led to an outbreak of violent disorder nearby.
There were fights in King Edward Street and police were called to Ferensway outside the Royal Hotel. The disorder spilled onto the cenotaph area, opposite the hotel.
Ethan Armstrong – jailed for two years and 10 months
Mr Evans told the court that Armstrong was identified after police inquiries and his actions were seen on CCTV. “The defendant was present in various areas of the city centre throughout the day,” said Mr Evans.
“His aggressive and violent behaviour was caught on either CCTV or body-worn footage. At 1.02pm, he can be seen throwing a powdered projectile of some sort outside Barclays Bank, away from the crowd and down towards King Edward Street.
“At 1.28pm, he can be seen as part of the wider crowd outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, behind the railings in the cycle lane.” Armstrong threw a missile in the direction of the police outside the hotel and he could be seen, shortly afterwards, appearing to celebrate when the man next to him threw an object that managed to reach the police line.
At 3.12pm, he appeared in the cenotaph area and was aggressive, pushing and shouting at police and, at one point, lunging forward and kicking an officer’s riot shield, sending the officer tumbling backwards.
“The defendant had been evading the police for some time and was arrested close to Marfleet Lane at 8.50am on December 24 after he climbed out and fled the address on Raven Walk,” said Mr Evans.
During police interview, Armstrong accepted that he was present that day but he claimed that he could not recall any of his behaviour that was shown to him on CCTV. He claimed that he was hit on the head with a cosh by a police officer and must have “lost it”.
He claimed that he still had a scar and a lump on his head from where he was hit and that, since the incident, he had suffered from nightmares and night terrors.
Armstrong had convictions for 17 previous offences, starting from when he was aged 11. They included using threatening words or behaviour in October 2022, involving dragging a female by her hair and shoving her. He raised his fist and headbutted her, causing a bloody nose.
He also had convictions for wounding and affray in March 2021, a road rage incident in which he punched another driver in the face, knocking him to the ground, where he banged his head, needing stitches to his mouth and the back of his head.
Armstrong also had a conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm in December 2019, involving repeatedly punching an ex-girlfriend in her face, causing two black eyes, lumps to the forehead, a split lip and bruising to her legs.
He had another conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm in June 2017, involving punching a man, causing a large cut to his upper lip and damage to his teeth.
He also had a conviction for wounding and affray in May 2016, involving punching a man to the side of his head, and one for assault in April 2017, involving punching a man in the face, causing a cut above his eye.
Morgan Williams – locked up for two years
Mr Evans said that Williams was present throughout the disorder at various locations, including outside the Royal Hotel and in Jameson Street.
He was shown on CCTV in Ferensway at about 1.45pm as part of a large crowd that had gathered outside the Royal Hotel. A still image from social media footage was widely published and it showed the moment that Williams threw a bottle towards the police cordon outside the hotel.
He was identified from his clothes. “He was present at the time when large crowds had gathered on Ferensway outside the hotel and large-scale aggression and violence was prevalent,” said Mr Evans.
Williams was later shown on CCTV entering the O2 store in Jameson Street and leaving with items in his hands. He held them up once he had left the store and was shown smiling.
He later entered Greggs and stole what was believed to be bottled drinks. He was shown in other CCTV pictures putting something down his jacket.
“Following a press and media release by Humberside Police, where still images of suspects were released in order to identify further suspects, the defendant voluntarily attended Clough Road police station on September 15,” said Mr Evans.
During police interview, he made no comment to all questions, including when shown CCTV pictures. He had no previous convictions and, unusually for those arrested after these offences, he had been on bail.
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