A rioter who joined in during “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” has been jailed after he threw a smoke bomb towards a police cordon outside a hotel where asylum seekers were living.
Daniel Lamb was also involved in other disturbances on a day of shame when serious scenes of city centre trouble caused “immeasurable harm” and fear, Hull Crown Court heard.
Lamb, 39, of Church Drive, Leven, near Beverley, admitted an offence of violent disorder on August 3.
Samantha Laws, prosecuting, said that Lamb was part of a large crowd that gathered in King Edward Street, Hull city centre, at about 12.55pm. He was carrying a bag in his hand, which he seemed to be swinging, and he stood at the front of a crowd that was chanting and shouting at police while others attacked officers.
Lamb threw a missile, perhaps a water bottle, towards police. He took out a balaclava to put on in a bid to disguise himself. During this time, police officers suffered serious injuries.
Lamb was also outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway where asylum seekers were being housed at the time. A police line outside the hotel was attacked. “The defendant threw a missile in the form of a smoke bomb towards the police cordon and towards the hotel,” said Miss Laws.
Lamb was identified through a police national database. He was arrested on October 29. He made no comment to all questions during police interview. He had convictions for 19 previous offences, most recently for a public disorder matter committed in 2012.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Lamb had been out of trouble for 11 years at the time and he had no similar convictions. He had served a short sentence of six months in the past.
(Image: Humberside Police)
Lamb acted out of character on the day of the violent disorder. “There is no excuse for his actions and no excuse for the impact that it had on others that day,” said Miss Thompson. He had suffered health problems and a bereavement and he had previously worked in the farming industry.
Judge John Thackray KC told Lamb: “Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence. The court takes into account the whole picture.
“During those 12 hours of mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused. Huge financial cost was incurred. Fear and distress was caused to those communities who were targeted and who were, and are, frightened to go about their daily life.
“You were playing a prominent role on King Edward Street. You were at the front of a line facing the police officers. You threw a missile. You had a balaclava in your hand. You moved onto Ferensway where racist chanting was taking place.”
Lamb, who had been on bail, was jailed for two years and four months.
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