A drug-addicted woman who got involved in the notorious scenes of rioting in Hull city centre hurled missiles at police outside a hotel where asylum seekers were living at the time. Mother-of-one and qualified beauty therapist Kirsty Bennett was later one of the first looters to raid the O2 phone shop and she grabbed a haul of mobile phone cases in the hope of selling them to fund her crack cocaine addiction, Hull Crown Court heard.
Bennett, 29, of Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and burglary of the O2 store on August 3 last year. Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that Bennett was among a crowd of people who gathered after 2.30pm outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time.
She was seen throwing two missiles, one of which seemed to be a toilet roll. She passed a drink bottle to a man near her and this was likely to have been thrown at police. She was seen on CCTV pictures at 5.15pm and she was also among the first people to go inside the O2 store in Jameson Street at about 6.30pm.
She stole mobile phone cases. The assistant manager later said: “People were entering our store and leaving with armfuls of accessories and phones.”
Damage estimated at more than £30,000 was caused and items valued at nearly £7,000 were stolen. “The whole shop was a complete mess,” said the assistant manager.
“There was a general feeling of upset and anger at what had happened.” The cost of the police operation had been put at about £270,000 – with more costs expected.
Billy Torbett, mitigating, said that Bennett pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and she had no previous convictions. She went to the protests with her then boyfriend.
“She did express genuine remorse,” said Mr Torbett. “Quite simply, she is shocked at how she behaved and rightly so.
“She describes having massive regrets for her behaviour. She is a polite woman with, surprisingly, quite a lot going for her.”
Bennett had a troubled start in life but she had a full education and employment history. She had a daughter.
“She does consider herself as somewhat of a grafter,” said Mr Torbett. She had worked in numerous jobs in hospitality and had qualifications in hairdressing, beauty therapy, nails, ear piercing and makeup.
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“She is a woman that has got a lot going for her,” said Mr Torbett. “She is currently out of work. She is a woman who has been consumed by a crack cocaine addiction and poor relationship choices, which she readily admits.
“She has remained out of trouble. She no longer consumes drugs. She has been clean for two months. She has been assessed as a low risk of reconviction.”
Judge Mark Bury told Bennett: “You went into Hull to attend what was anticipated to be a peaceful demonstration. That demonstration got out of hand. A large number of police officers had to be deployed to maintain order.
“That wasn’t possible because a large number of people became violent and aggressive towards the police, which involved a large number of activities – one of which you were participating in was throwing things at police officers. Behaviour like this encourages others – and it did so.”
Bennett was later one of the first ones to enter the O2 store and she was seen helping herself to mobile phone cases. “You were hoping to sell those for drugs, which you were addicted to at the time,” said Judge Bury.
“This behaviour is totally unacceptable. The events of August 3 of last year represent a stain on this city. No justification can there be for behaviour like this. Whatever one’s views of peaceful protest, this was not it.
“Attacking police who are simply there to maintain order is totally unacceptable. I can’t overlook this offending. There has to be an immediate sentence of custody.”
Bennett, who had been on bail, was jailed for 16 months.