Aaron Dring is now said to have ‘turned his life around’ whilst in prison

Protester Aaron Dring sat in the middle of the road as he threatened police and shouted abuse during the Hanley riot. The 26-year-old parked himself in the middle of the road and refused to budge as trouble erupted in the wake of the Southport murders.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Yodel worker Dring called police officers ‘nonces’ and challenged one officer to a fight on August 3 last year. He was also heard to shout ‘We want our country back’ and told one officer he would ‘f*** him up’ after being struck by a baton.

The defendant wrote a grovelling apology for his actions on the day which was read out in court before he was jailed for two years.

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, told the court Dring had played an active role on the day. She said: “The defendant was one of the protesters who were sat in the middle of the road stopping police vehicles from entering whilst shouting ‘We want our country back’.

“At Town Road where the main disorder took place, the defendant called police officers who were performing their duties ‘nonces’, and he shouted verbal abuse at them. He pushed at a police shield, and at one point the defendant was in front of a sergeant and missiles were being thrown – but not by him.

“When the officer asked the defendant to move back he refused. This ended up in punches and the officer hit another individual with his baton before striking the defendant. He told the officer he would ‘F*** him up’ if he came after him. The defendant made a jabbing motion, and said ‘Take your kit off and come around the corner for a fight’.”

Dring, of Westbourne Drive, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe, mitigating, said: “Mr Dring has written a letter stating ‘I never thought I would end up in jail, but my actions have led me here. My behaviour and how I acted is unacceptable. I would like to apologise to the police and to my family for how I behaved.

“‘I understand the officers were just doing their job and my actions prevented them from doing so. While I’ve been in jail, Priest Roger has made me think about life in a new way and how every action has a reaction, and mine is jail. He has also been teaching me that I should treat people how I want to be treated’.”

Ms Devans-Tamakloe added: “This offence was clearly a stupid offence to have committed – a serious one – and it could have ended up worse for members of the public than it did. Mr Dring has held his hands up for his actions and he hasn’t tried to make excuses or shy away.

“He was elected an equalities representative in prison and he has maintained an enhanced status. He is demonstrating progress and discipline. He was a parcel sorter at Yodel before he went to prison and he lived with his parents. He has shown remorse, and there is a realistic prospect for rehab within the community.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “Police officers were deployed to prevent violent disorder. Although some people conducted protests peacefully, many did not. Missiles were thrown, weapons were brandished, and police officers and members of the public were injured. There were widespread acts of violence which resulted in serious fear, distress and disorder, as well as costs to the community.

“You did not at any stage seek to leave, you were part of a group of people who sat down and stopped police vehicles from getting past – that wasn’t violent disorder. You were shouting things, again, not violent disorder. You then moved up to Town Road near The Potteries Centre where people were shopping when the violence broke out.

“The police were there to keep order because of that violence and there were a number of protesters and police officers injured. The police officers were simply performing their duty of keeping the peace.

“You were at the front line for some considerable time. You were engaging with police officers, abusing and threatening them, and you were threatening to be violent. You could have left at any time.

“I have to consider whether you acted on religious or racial hostility, in your case I see none of this hostility.”

Stoke Sentinel