Thug who forced Romanians from car during riot handed heftiest sentence to date

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A thug who forced three terrified Romanian men from their car during a riot has received the heftiest sentence to date in connection with recent widespread disorder after being jailed for six years.

David Wilkinson, 48, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder, attempted arson and racially aggravated criminal damage after playing a “prominent role” in the violence and disorder that gripped Hull on August 3.

His sentence came as a second riot charge was brought by police – leaving violent disorder suspects across the country awaiting news on whether they will be accused of the more serious offence.

Hull Crown Court heard Wilkinson was a member of a “baying mob” who left the driver of a BMW in fear for his life when more than 100 “angry” men descended on him and his two cousins.

The group tried to drag them from the car, before punching him in the head and attempting to strike him with a metal bar.

In footage of the incident, the three men in the vehicle could be seen getting out with their hands raised in a gesture of surrender before fleeing to a nearby hotel, the court heard.

At other points during the day of disorder, Wilkinson spat, threw missiles and pushed wheelie bins at a police line protecting a hotel known to house asylum seekers.

He appeared to be holding nunchucks – a martial arts weapon – at one point, it was said.

Elsewhere on Friday, Kieran Usher became the second suspect to be charged with riot in connection with disorder in Sunderland city centre on August 2.

The 32-year-old appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court where prosecutors said he had acted in an “aggressive manner” towards police officers and threw missiles at them during the unrest.

The court heard he allegedly gestured towards officers and towards the crowds in the city centre in order to “encourage violence”.

District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded him in custody until his crown court appearance on August 23 after saying a series of video clips played to the court showed he had “a willingness to engage in large-scale disorder”.

It followed Northumbria Police’s announcement that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday.

The teenager appeared in court on Thursday and his case was adjourned following what a district judge called a “surprise” charging decision.

Liam Doeg, 33, who was due to be sentenced in relation to disorder in Sunderland, had his case adjourned as prosecutors consider whether to further charge him with the more serious charge of riot.

Sophie Allinson, defending, opposed the move saying her client had pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the earliest opportunity and had come to court expecting to learn his fate.

Ms Allinson pointed out that more than 100 defendants had already been sentenced for violent disorder following the disorder across England.

Riot is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – double that of a charge of violent disorder.

An X user who encouraged his 98,000 followers to join violent protests and instructed them on how to avoid being identified by police was jailed for three years at Lincoln Crown Court.

Wayne O’Rourke, 35, pleaded guilty to stirring up racial hatred by publishing material on his social media account between July 28 and August 8.

O’Rourke, who is a full-time carer for his partner, posted on July 29, the day three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport: “Today was a terror attack by a Muslim … heads must roll.”

The court heard he made another post which told followers: “Leave your phones at home, wear balaclavas, plain clothes and nothing to identify you by. Use cash.” This was seen by more than 99,000 people.

Another lengthy jail sentence was handed down on Friday to a man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in Hull.

John Honey, 25, was jailed for 56 months after he also helped attack a BMW carrying three Romanian men, targeted a garage leaving nine vehicles damaged, and pushed bins at police lines during the disorder.

A sentencing hearing earlier in the week was adjourned after a prison probation officer said Honey had asked him “if he wanted his autograph because he was famous”, which the court heard could have undermined Honey’s claim of being “genuinely remorseful”.

Four other men – Steven Love, 41, John Nunan, 36, Travis Whitelock, 23, and Corey Holloway, 20 – were also jailed for their part in the Hull riots.

A judge told Love he was “lucky not to be charged with riot” after his central role in the disorder as he was sent to prison for 40 months.

In Liverpool, Andrew McIntyre pleaded not guilty to charges of encouraging murder, encouraging violent disorder and possession of a bladed article at the city’s crown court.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, confirmed to Judge Neil Flewitt that “in simple terms” the suggestion was that McIntyre was the administrator on an online group.

At Birmingham Crown Court, a rapper arrested after posting an allegedly “menacing” video mentioning Tommy Robinson will face trial in January next year after pleading not guilty.

Omar Abdirizak, known as Twista Cheese, denied an allegation of sending a grossly offensive or menacing message via a public communications network.

Two men and a woman were jailed for their roles in a protest in Plymouth at the city’s crown court.

Kerry Gove, 34, Andrew Ball, 49, and Grant Braidwood, 40, all admitted violent disorder before Ball and Braidwood were both give prison terms of 32 months, and Gove an 18-month term.

The court heard Ball has appeared in court previously on 51 occasions for 93 offences including racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and for public order offences.