Riots and disorder in the UK: First jail terms handed down for social media posts during unrest (2024)

Summary

At least three men have been jailed over their online activity during the recent disorder
Jordan Parlour, 28, from Leeds, was the first person to be sentenced for stirring up racial hatred on social media
Suspended Labour councillor Ricky Jones has been charged with encouraging violent disorder after appearing at a London counter-protest
Almost 600 people have been arrested in relation to the disorder so far, with PM Sir Keir Starmer urging police to "stay on high alert" this weekend

Live Reporting

Edited by Jamie Whitehead

Jail sentences handed down for unrest around the countrypublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 9 August
18:53 BST 9 August
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
We're pausing our live coverage now, but there's still plenty more on the recent unrest from across the BBC:
- Our home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford, looks at how the tide turned after a week of riots
- Read more on suspended Labour councillor Ricky Jones, who has been charged with encouraging violent disorder
- And here you can find all of our coverage of the protests, riots, arrests and sentencings
Thanks for joining us. Today's page was brought to you by Johanna Chisholm, Cachella Smith, Barbara Tasch, Hollie Cole, Jemma Crew, Suneil Asar and me.
First people jailed over social media posts during unrestpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 9 August
18:47 BST 9 August
Today's live coveragehas mainly come from the courts, with jail sentences handed down for thoseinvolved in the violentdisorder since the fatal stabbings in Southport last Monday.
Here's a quick summary of key events today:
- In the first case of a person going to jail for posting on social media during the disorder, Jordan Parlour, 28, of Seacroft, Leeds, received a 20 month sentence for inciting others to target a Leeds building which housed asylum seekers
- At least two others also received jail sentences for social media posts that stirred up racial hatred
- Suspended Labour councillor Ricky Jones appeared in court charged with encouraging violent disorder after he was filmed apparently telling a crowd that far-right demonstrators should have their throats cut
- 6000 officers with specialist training in public order are "prepared and ready" to deal with any potential unrest over the weekend
- About 600 people have been arrested this week with hundreds more expected in the coming days and weeks, police say, with the use of facial recognition technology fast tracking the process
Watch: Leeds disorder: Jordan Parlour sentenced to 20 monthspublished at 18:37 British Summer Time 9 August
18:37 BST 9 August
First three Hull rioters jailed for 'ugly violence'published at 18:17 British Summer Time 9 August
18:17 BST 9 August
Pritti Mistry
Reporting from Hull
The first three people convicted for their part in a violent protest in Hull have been jailed.
Hull Crown Court heard police officers were attacked when missiles were thrown at them, shops were looted and a hotel housing asylum seekers was targeted during the violence in the Ferensway, Jameson Street and Spring Bank areas on Saturday.
Sentencing them, Judge Mark Bury said all three were involved in a "malevolent nature of violence".
Read more here.
Suspended Labour councillor remanded in custodypublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 9 August
17:53 BST 9 August
Image source, Dartford Labour
Suspended Labour councillor Ricky Jones has appeared atWestminster Magistrates Court charged with encouraging violent disorder aftercomments he made at a counter protest in London.
Videos appeared online which seem to show Jones, 57, telling a crowd in Walthamstow that far-right demonstrators should have their throats cut.
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Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram said: "It is allegedthat using a microphone you addressed a crowd at an anti-fascist protest and,talking about others you described as 'disgusting Nazi fascists', you said 'weneed to cut their throats and get rid of them'."
No indication of plea was given. Jones was remanded in custodyuntil a pre-trial preparation hearing on 6 September.
He's been a councillor in Dartford, Kent, since 2019.
Social media posters starting to see jail sentencespublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 9 August
17:25 BST 9 August
Jamie Whitehead
Live reporter
Long sentences have been handed out today to people who encouraged disorder on social media.
- Bradley Makin, 21, of Simonside Road, Springwell, Sunderland, who posted videos of himself "roaring encouragement" at rioters in Sunderland on his Instagram account, has been jailed for two years
- Tyler Kay, 26, of Effield Court, Northampton, was jailed for 38 months after stirring up racial hatred by using social media to call for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight
- At Leeds Crown Court, Jordan Parlour of Seacroft, Leeds, has been sentenced to 20 months in jail after publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred
Parlour, 28, was the first person to be jailed for posts on Facebook during disorder which has spread across the country.
He admitted posting on social media between 1 and 5 August urging others to target a building in Leeds housing more than 200 asylum seekers and refugees.
Tyler Kay sentenced to 38 months after inciting racial hatred onlinepublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 9 August
17:10 BST 9 August
Image source, PA Media
The latest person to be jailed for their online activity during the recent disorder is Tyler Kay, 26.
Northampton Crown Court was told Kay posted on X calling for mass deportation and advising protesters to "mask up", and also retweeted a screenshot of a message inciting action against a named immigration solicitors in the town.
Kay, of Ellfield Court, Northampton, was sentenced by Judge Adrienne Lucking KC two days after writing the posts.
The judge said he posted the content because he "thought there were no consequences", and the posts' overall tone "clearly reveals your fundamentally racist mindset".
"I am sure that when you intentionally created the posts you intended that racial hatred would be stirred up by your utterly repulsive, racist and shocking posts that have no place in a civilised society," he said.
Kay was sentenced to 38 months after being charged with stirring up racial hatred.
Sunderland rioters jailed for 'orgy of violence'published at 16:57 British Summer Time 9 August
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Image source, Northumbria Police
The first four people to be convicted for their part in a violent protest in Sunderland a week ago have been jailed.
Up to 700 people were involved in a night of violence on 2 August, in which police officers were repeatedly attacked, a building burnt out and businesses looted, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Those jailed are:
- Leanne Hodgson, 43, of Holborn Road in Sunderland, who received two-and-a-half years
- Andrew Smith, 41, of High Street East in Sunderland, who received two years and two months
- Josh Kellet, 29, of Southcroft in Washington, who received two-and-a-half years
- Bradley Makin, 21, of Simonside Road in Sunderland, who received two years
Judge Paul Sloan KC said they had brought "shame" upon Sunderland and were part of an "orgy of mindless, destructive violence".
- You can read more here.
Teenager sentenced after punching and kicking police vanpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 9 August
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Image source, PA Media
Earlier this afternoon, a teenager who kicked and punched apolice van was sentenced to two years and four months in a young offenderinstitution.
Kenzie Roughley, 18, of Barnsley Road, Pontefract, was also filmed verballyabusing police officers as part of a wider group of rioters in Rotherham.
The disorder took place outside the Holiday Inn Express, whichhouses more than 200 asylum seekers.
The attack on the South Yorkshire Police CCTV van left theofficer inside fearing for his life, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
"You have brought shame on yourself and the town in whichyou live. You must be punished for what you have done,” the judge said.
Plain's prior convictions and guilty plea considered by judgepublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 9 August
16:19 BST 9 August
More now from Judge Kearl and his remarks during sentencing of Plain for racially aggravated intentional harassment.
The judge mentions Plain's previous convictions, including for violence, saying this is an "aggravating factor" in sentencing.
Plain's actions cannot be seen in isolation and have to be viewed with the disorder seen across the country in context, the judge says.
The letter of remorse Plain wrote is taken into account when delivering the sentence, along with his guilty plea, and comments made by the probation officer.
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Plain used 'grossly offensive, racist language' - judgepublished at 16:16 British Summer Time 9 August
16:16 BST 9 August
Warning: this post contains content readers may find offensive
Before passing sentence, Judge Guy Kearl KC said Plain was seen climbing a barrier and making "monkey noises" and gestures towards a anti-racism counter protest.
Plain "rubbed his lips" and said "rubber lips", the judge said, telling the court he was he stood alongside others making racist comments.
Judge Kearl said the 30-year-old then got off the barrier and started to imitate "the manner in which Muslim people pray in order to mock their religion".
"This was grossly offensive, racist language and behaviour and it caused alarm and distressto others."
He then mentions a victim who said she was scared, anxious, and traumatised by his behaviour.
"She felt like she didn't belong in her own home city, the city of Leeds," he said, adding she was too scared to go to work for four days and remains worried.
Jordan Plain jailed for eight monthspublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 9 August
16:05 BST 9 AugustBreaking
Jordan Plain, 30, of BroadwayHorsforth, Leeds, is jailed for eight months for racially aggravated intentional harassment.
Judge starts remarks for sentencing of Jordan Plainpublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 9 August
16:03 BST 9 August
Judge Guy Kearl KC is now starting his remarks for the sentencing of Jordan Plain, 30, of Broadway Horsforth, Leeds, who has been charged with racially aggravated intentional harassment.
He begins by saying he pleaded guilty to the charges.
Stemming from the incident in Southport, protestors gathered and clashed, the judge says, sometimes using violence towards each other, police and others.
The judge goes on to say people are entitled to express their views and protest peacefully, but it becomes illegal when it becomes violent. He also says the law is there to protect everyone.On 3 August Plain joined with a pro English Defence League group, chanting and gesticulating towards an anti-racism protest, he says.
Watch: Sentencing starting over racially aggravated intentional harassmentpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 9 August
15:55 BST 9 August
Jordan Plain, 30, of Broadway Hosforth, Leeds, is being sentenced for racially aggravated intentional harassment.
You can follow the sentencing from court via our stream at the top of the page, just click the watch live button.
Almost 600 arrested in relation to violent disorder - policepublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 9 August
15:41 BST 9 August
Image source, PA Media
In the past week, forces in the UK have made 595 arrests for offences relating to the recent disorder that has unfolded.
The National Police Chiefs' Council says these were for offences ranging from violent disorder to theft and antisocial behaviour.
The policing body says it has also identified hundreds more suspects who will be arrested in the coming days and weeks, which it says will be possible due to technology such as facial recognition.  
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, says officers recognise the deterrence role a "swift and robust response from law enforcement" can have, and they are aiming to make "immediate charging decisions" so cases can get to courts for sentencing "within days".
"My advice to anyone considering taking part in violent disorder - don’t," he adds.
6,000 public order officers to remain on dutypublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 9 August
15:38 BST 9 August
There will be 6,000 public order trained officers remaining onduty over the weekend as police say they are "prepared and ready".
Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, chief constableGavin Stephens says while they are working to bring the disorder to an end,"arrests are just getting started".
“While the previous two nights have been a welcome break fromthe appalling scenes of the last week, and may have reached a turning point, weare by no means complacent,” he says
“Thousands of specially trained officers remain on duty, readyto tackle any unrest and disorder, and we continue to monitor, gather andreview intelligence to make sure our officers are where they need to be to keeptheir communities safe."
Parlour motivated by anger at 'immigration problems' - judgepublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 9 August
15:11 BST 9 August
Before passing sentence, Judge Kearl explained how the Britannia hotel in Leeds was attacked on 2 and 3 August by people throwing missiles, and it was locked down for the protection of those living there.
At the time there were 210 occupants - many of whom were foreign refugees and asylum seekers. Similar attacks occurred the next day, the judge says, adding police attended on each occasion.
In between attacks, you took to social media to encourage others, Judge Kearl said to Parlour.
Not only refugees and asylum seekers, but also hotel staff were likely to be affected by this, the judge said.
His initial post received six likes, but was seen by his 1,500 friends and because of his lack of privacy settings it could be forwarded on and messages could therefore be spread widely, the court was told.
The judge said the defendant was arrested and then interviewed on 5 August. His motivation was clear when he talked about attacking the hotel out of "anger and frustration" at "immigration problems" in this country, he says.
There can be no doubt he was inciting others, the judge said.
"You expressed remorse but by then it was too late," he finished.
Jordan Parlour sentenced to 20 monthspublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 9 August
14:58 BST 9 AugustBreaking
Image source, West Yorkshire Police
Jordan Parlour, 28, of Seacroft,Leeds, is jailed for 20 months after he entered a guilty plea to stirring up racial hatred.
The judge says he has taken into account his guilty plea which sees his sentence reduced by one third, as well as his references and expression of remorse.
Unrest had impact on asylum seekers and refugees - judgepublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 9 August
14:54 BST 9 August
Judge Kearl goes on to talk about the impact the disorder had, particularly on asylum seekers and refugees.
He says coverage of the unrest has been extensive both in the mainstream media and online social media platforms. He then turns to the facts of the matter.
Judge starts remarks for sentencing of Jordan Parlourpublished at 14:51 British Summer Time 9 August
14:51 BST 9 August
Judge Guy Kearl KC is now starting his remarks for the sentencing of Jordan Parlour, 28, of Seacroft, Leeds, who was charged with publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred.
Judge Kearl says Parlour, who made online comments advocating an attack on a hotel in Leeds, has pleaded guilty to intending to stir racial hatred.
The context is that this arises from civil unrest, which was generated as a result of the deaths of three girls in Southport, he says.