A troublemaker joined in violent scenes outside a hotel where asylum seekers were being housed at the time – and threw missiles towards police who were trying to prevent the disturbances escalating out of control.
Jack Dawson was among a series of people who were arrested in the aftermath of the frightening scenes of rioting that broke out after the deaths of three young girls in Southport, Hull Crown Court heard.
Dawson, 22, of Albert Avenue, west Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3.
Amber Hobson, prosecuting, said that Dawson was one of those who were involved in a large-scale demonstration in Hull city centre. “Similar protests had been organised nationally following the tragic events that had taken place in Southport,” said Miss Hobson.
Police were in Ferensway, including outside the Royal Hotel, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time. The disorder spilled onto the cenotaph area, opposite the hotel.
Dawson was seen on footage that was filmed of the incident. He was on Ferensway and was part of a large group who were throwing missiles at police officers. He was on the road outside the Royal Hotel and could be seen throwing missiles towards police.
At 2.39pm, a large group advanced towards officers and Dawson was part of that group. Some of those in the group attacked officers and Dawson could be seen to throw a missile.
At 4.36pm, Dawson was on Spring Bank and he could be seen to select and throw missiles – believed to be stones – towards a police van and officers. He was arrested on December 20 and, during interview the next day, he made no comment to all questions.
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Dawson had convictions for 14 previous offences, including using threatening words or behaviour in January 2023, when he was given a conditional discharge, and causing criminal damage in July 2022.
Julia Baggs, mitigating, said that Dawson pleaded guilty at an early stage before Hull Magistrates’ Court on May 28 and he regretted his behaviour. He had recently had a taste of custody after previously being on bail following the first hearing of the case at Hull Magistrates’ Court.
At an earlier hearing before Hull Crown Court, he asked to be remanded in custody straight away rather than continuing to be on bail. He had believed at the time that he faced an inevitable prison sentence and he wanted to start it that day.
But, at a resumed hearing, he was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence and 20 days’ rehabilitation.