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More violent offenders are being sentenced on camera today as Sir Keir Starmer warned those spreading misinformation online will have action taken against them.
A 28-year-old man from Leeds has been jailed for 20 months for publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred.
Jordan Parlour posted on Facebook “Every man and their dog should be smashing f*** out Britannia Hotel,” referring to a hotel, which was home to 210 refugees and asylum seekers.
The offence is the first of its kind relating to the recent nationwide disorder across the UK.
Rosemary Ainslie, acting head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: “Let me be absolutely clear, people who think they can hide behind their keyboards and stir up racial hatred should think again.”
It comes as The Chair of National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said there will be 6,000 specialist officers on standby tomorrow and it was “inevitable” that arrests relating to recent disorder would carry on for “months”.
The PM warned social media users should be “mindful” as several people have now been arrested or charged with social media-related offences.
At least a dozen people were jailed on Thursday for their part in the riots of the past 10 days. The NPCC said 595 arrests have been made in relation to disorder.
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Man who smashed the door of a TK Maxx store in Plymouth jailed
A man who threw rocks and smashed the door of a TK Maxx store during disorder in Plymouth has been jailed for 32 months at Plymouth Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Justin Crimp, 49, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage to property valued at more than £5,000 after being identified from footage of the unrest on Monday.
He was arrested at his home address in Palace Street, Plymouth, on Wednesday and was charged by CPS Direct at 3.30am on Thursday.
Victoria Cook, chief crown prosecutor for the South West, said: “Justin Crimp acted disgracefully during the collective disorder in Plymouth on Monday.
“By involving himself in the unrest and causing destruction to a high street store, he has shown an utter disregard for his community.”
Jabed Ahmed9 August 2024 15:40
‘Significant visible policing operation in place’ in Belfast
A senior Police Service of Northern Ireland officer says there will be a “significant visible policing operation in place” ahead of a planned anti-immigration protest and counter protest in Belfast.
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said the police are expecting a very busy weekend for policing across Northern Ireland with a risk of spontaneous protest as well as an Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Londonderry and the ongoing West Belfast Festival.
“We will have a significant visible policing operation in place across Northern Ireland to ensure that everyone is kept safe,” she told media at a press conference at PSNI headquarters in east Belfast.
“We will be supporting the right to peaceful protest that is lawful, but this does not extend into intimidation, harassment or disorder.
“I encourage anyone who is planning to engage in protest to do so peacefully and within the law, and to engage with the police and follow our advice and instruction.”
Athena Stavrou9 August 2024 15:40
Armchair thug jailed for Facebook posts urging rioters to attack asylum hotel
Jabed Ahmed9 August 2024 15:35
Riot arrests will carry on for ‘months’, police chief says
The chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said it was “inevitable” that arrests relating to recent disorder would carry on for “months”.
Asked whether arrests would likely continue for months, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens told a media briefing: “I think months is probably inevitable.
“If we just think of some of the practicalities of it – we might have somebody that’s unidentified, they’re not on our system, so they haven’t come up on the facial recognition check-in, nobody’s come forward to identify them.
“There’s every chance – a few weeks down the line – we may end up bringing somebody into custody who is identified and on their phone is a picture of their mate who they were with.”
Mr Stephens added: “It could be months down the track – it won’t stop us dealing with it when we get it.
“They’ll still end up getting investigated and arrested.”
Jabed Ahmed9 August 2024 15:30
Man jailed for 20 months for racist Facebook post
A man who published Facebook posts encouraging people to attack a hotel in Leeds “advocated violence” and his subsequent jail sentence should act as a reminder to others, prosecutors have said.
Jordan Parlour was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to intending to stir up racial hatred.
The offence is the first of its kind relating to the recent nationwide disorder across the UK.
Rosemary Ainslie, acting head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: “Let me be absolutely clear, people who think they can hide behind their keyboards and stir up racial hatred should think again.
“Jordan Parlour advocated violence through his online posts and risked the safety of those staying and working at the hotel.
“He is now facing a prison sentence for his actions and I hope this serves as a stark reminder that online actions have consequences.
“The CPS will continue to act swiftly and robustly regarding these cases, and ensure those responsible for such deplorable criminality are brought to justice.”
Jabed Ahmed9 August 2024 15:25
Watch: Police bodycam shows officers under attack at Liverpool riot
Athena Stavrou9 August 2024 15:22
18-year old sentenced to more than two years for attacking a police van in Rotherham
An 18-year-old who admitted attacking a police van during unrest in Rotherham earlier this month has been sentenced to two years and four months in a young offenders’ institution.
Kenzie Roughley was filmed kicking and trying to break into the vehicle during violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
CCTV footage played in court showed the defendant and a group of three or four others rocking the van back and forth.
Sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told the defendant: “You were a part of this mob of ignorant and violent individuals … the scene was volatile and you were adding to the volatility.
“The officer (in the van) was scared for his life and thought the vehicle would be turned over, which was clearly your aim.
“You have brought shame on yourself and the town in which you live. You must be punished for what you have done.”
Jabed Ahmed9 August 2024 15:15
Government will ‘look more broadly at social media’ after riots – Starmer
The Government will have to “look more broadly at social media” after recent rioting, the Prime Minister has said in an apparent hint that further regulation could be considered.
False information spread on social media about the identity of the alleged Southport knife attacker has been seen as playing a role in sparking the recent violence, leading some to call for tougher regulation.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been among those calling for reform, saying recent events have shown regulations due to come into force under the Online Safety Act are “not fit for purpose”.
Asked on Friday if he agreed with Mr Khan, Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters: “I do think that we’re going to have to look more broadly at social media after this disorder.”
He added that social media executives should be “mindful of the first priority, which is to ensure that our communities are safe and secure”.
Athena Stavrou9 August 2024 15:02
Officers received high levels of racial abuse during riots
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said that some police officers deployed to protect communities from far-right riots were racially abused.
“Chiefs and local constables are hearing that the level of hate crime and racial abuse [officers have] been facing in these situations is significant,” Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair said.
He added that while many officers have also suffered physical injuries, being at the end of racial abuse can “stick with you for longer”.
Athena Stavrou9 August 2024 14:59
Police ‘prepared and ready’ to deal with further violence over weekend
6,000 public order trained officers are set to be on duty over the weekend as police remain on “high alert” incase of any further unrest.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said that it is “less clear” if violent disorder will break out again but that police forces are “prepared and ready” to deal with it if it arises.
“The activity that’s happened during course of the week in bringing really swift and strong justice has helped,” Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair said.
However, the council warned that a “summer weekend with a lot going on” lies ahead and “those intent on violence and destruction have not necessarily gone away”.
Athena Stavrou9 August 2024 14:56
