UK riots: Judge hands down longest jail sentences yet

Emperor , 4 hours ago

I don’t think that Lush haul will cover all the missed Christmases and birthdays.

Emperor , 4 hours ago

Paul Williams, 45, was jailed for two years and two months on Friday after pleading guilty to one count of violent disorder in connection with the Sunderland riots.

The court heard he had entered the city centre to collect a takeaway, but ended up at the “forefront” of an “orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder”.

His defence lawyer said he had no political opinions around immigration and was “entirely unaware of the basis of what started this”.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Williams threw metal fencing and a can of beer at police, stripped off his shirt and ran at the line of riot shields.

It makes you wonder what goes on in some people’s heads (or doesn’t go on).

hellothere , 4 hours ago

Mackems. What can I say?

JohnSmith , 3 hours ago

he had entered the city centre to collect a takeaway

That’s one expensive takeway. I hope it was tasty.

Hossenfeffer , 3 hours ago

So he just innocently went into town to get a takeaway wearing an ill-fitting St George’s cross t-shirt?

What a spot of luck for him!

Emperor , 3 hours ago

To be fair to him (and I’m not feeling fair), that photo is of the previously mentioned rioter who was done for inciting violence, which totally wouldn’t believe looking at his picture.

Flax_vert , 3 hours ago

Does he get to keep the loot tho

Emperor , 3 hours ago

I’m not a lawyer, but I think Supermarket Sweep rules apply.

wtfrank , 3 hours ago

Can you pick me some soap up from Lush, Honey?

Emperor , 1 hour ago

The last soap he’ll be picking up for a while!

hairyfeet , 2 hours ago

Half the sentence of people who planned an environmental protest

Emperor , 1 hour ago

These are only the early, cases which have been easier to prove and process. They have just started charging people with riot, which carries a maximum 10 year sentence.

Cadeillac , 2 hours ago

Meanwhile, Ashkan Kareem, 33, has been jailed for 12 months after participating in a clash in Darlington on 5 August.

Kareem said he was trying to protect a mosque from being attacked by “racists”.

The presiding judge said Kareem was part of a group which gathered in opposition to men “chanting racist and far-right slogans”, but it was “abundantly clear that would result in violence and it did”.

So we are American school systems now? Defend yourself, believe it or not, straight to jail. What if he wasn’t part of a group, and they attack him? Still jail?

I get what the judge is saying, but that is fucking bull shit. If I can’t protect my own beliefs, why do they get to roll down the street screaming hate?

(Disclaimer, I am from America, but I can see how it could read differently)