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Judge urges consideration of charge carrying heftier sentence for main rioters

14 Aug 2024 3 minute read
The aftermath after trouble flared in Hull on 3 August. Photo Olly Burdett /PA Wire

A judge has encouraged prosecutors to consider charging offenders who played central roles in the recent disorder in parts of the UK with rioting, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

The words of Judge John Thackray KC, the Recorder of Hull, came after a three-year prison term was handed to Connor Whiteley, who kicked a female police officer to the ground during riots in the Yorkshire city.

Whiteley, 26, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, after playing a “prominent role” in the “racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that unfolded in the city on August 3.

Hull Crown Court heard he was at the front of a group confronting police who were trying to protect a hotel known to house asylum seekers, and was seen charging at officers.

Whiteley was also part of a group that targeted a garage, setting cars alight and threatening staff, who were forced to lock themselves inside.

Sentencing him on Wednesday, the judge said: “The prosecution do need to look, for those who are playing front and central roles, at the alternative charge of riot rather than violent disorder.”

Violent disorder

Violent disorder carries a maximum sentence of five years, and the maximum term for rioting is 10 years, according to sentencing guidelines.

At the same court, father-of-three Trevor Lloyd, 49, who was part of a mob that stormed the hotel, was also jailed for three years.

In Sheffield, a 60-year-old man who pulled a police officer to the ground and grabbed a riot shield as the officer was trying to protect another hotel housing asylum seekers, was jailed for two years and eight months.

Body-worn camera footage was played in court showing Glyn Guest repeatedly being pushed back by a riot shield as he approached a line of police six times outside the Holiday Inn Express, at Manvers, Rotherham, on Sunday August 4.

At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, a man who was convicted of encouraging violence told a district judge: “I’m guilty miss, but I’m not sure what it means.”

Warren Gilchrest, 52, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after joining a “large group of far-right protesters” who gathered in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3.

In Birmingham, Habeeb Khan pleaded not guilty at the city’s crown court to a charge of possessing an imitation AK-47 with intent to cause “members of the EDL” (English Defence League) to believe violence would be used against them.

Kahn, 49, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, also denied sending a communication threatening death or serious harm between August 4 and 6 in a video uploaded to X, formerly Twitter.

The Metropolitan Police said more people have been charged over disorder in Whitehall on July 31, including a 14-year-old boy.


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Y Cymro
Y Cymro
4 months ago

This was insurrection and localised terrorism plain & simple and should be seen that way. It’s been simmering for years thanks to the English extremist wing of the Conservative party ERG (European Research Group), add those agent provocateurs in Ukip, Brexit & Reform UK parties and their pathological obsession with hating tye EU & asylum seekers have only stoked the fire further to the point of meltdown. Also to blame are far-right fascists Nigel Farage and Tommy Robson & Nigel Farage including those hatemongers at GB News & Talk Radio who on their shows continually demonised & dehumanised asylum seekers… Read more »

Mark
Mark
4 months ago

If it looks like a riot and sounds like a riot it’s a riot .

Jeff
Jeff
4 months ago

Farage getting his collar felt?

But his bovver troops are.

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