A troublemaker who angrily hurled a road sign and eggs at police during violent scenes of rioting in Hull city centre was later found with large amounts of cannabis for drug dealing on the streets.
Bradley Monahan had already been given a “golden opportunity” to avoid prison but he threw it away after getting involved in “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that was “horrifying” to watch, Hull Crown Court heard.
Monahan, 24, of Lockton Grove, off Calvert Road, west Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3. He also admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply on October 29 and breaching a 10-month suspended prison sentence imposed in April last year for making threats with an offensive weapon.
Oliver Shipley, prosecuting, said that Monahan was part of a group of rioters in Ferensway, Hull, on a day of violence in the city centre. A police cordon was outside the Royal Hotel, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time.
Monahan was wearing a two-tone balaclava in an attempt to hide his identity. He was seen to throw what were believed to be eggs at the police as well as a road traffic sign. At times, he was solely responsible for “sourcing and throwing items at officers”. He was not part of a wider group of rioters but he was part of a “little breakaway of his own”.
Monahan was identified from a previous police custody picture and he was arrested on October 30. His home was searched and his sister escorted police to a bedroom to obtain personal belongings.
A small quantity of a green herbal substance was found on a bedside table. Police found significantly larger amounts of cannabis as well as scales, bags and cash, indicating involvement in drugs supply.
Monahan told police: “Yeah. That’s fine. Them drugs are mine. Can I admit that on bodycam?” The cannabis, in various amounts, had an estimated street value of £4,815. During police interview, he made no comment to all questions. Monahan had convictions for 13 previous offences, including assaulting emergency workers in 2021.
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Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Monahan’s behaviour during the violent disorder was “disgraceful”. There were three positive and “glowing” references for him, all showing him to be a “much better man” than the one shown in the rioting pictures. One reference, from a potential employer, described him as a “level-headed young man” – which showed how different he could be. He had a three-year-old daughter.
“Since his arrest for these offences, he has taken a turn (for the better),” said Miss Scott. It had brought home to him how his behaviour had affected his mother and sister. “He really has pulled up his socks since then,” said Miss Scott.
“He was doing well on the order he has got. He has been making significant progress. He has reduced his cannabis intake.” Monahan had completed 136 of the 200 hours’ unpaid work that he had previously been given as part of the original suspended sentence. “He knows that he was put on trust by this court and he has broken that trust on two separate occasions,” said Miss Scott.
Judge John Thackray KC told Monahan: “You were given a golden opportunity by the court in April last year when you were given a suspended sentence. Only a few months later, you were involved in violent disorder on August 3 in the centre of Hull.
“Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence. During those 12 hours of mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused. You played your part on Ferensway.
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“It’s depressing and horrifying to watch. It shows utterly deplorable public disorder. You were there in full disguise in a balaclava.
“You were throwing objects, most likely eggs, and at one point, you were seen to pick up a road traffic sign and throw that towards the police. You were playing a significant role.
“This was hostility motivated by race. The offence is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.”
Monahan, who had been on bail, was jailed for two years and three months.