A teenager hurled bricks towards police during “disgusting” scenes of serious violence in Hull city centre and it was only by pure luck that nobody was hurt because of what he did during the “large-scale” trouble.
George Walkington was “in the thick of what was going on” throughout the notorious day of disorder on August 3, 2024. Rioting broke out across the country in the wake of the deaths of three young girls in Southport days earlier, Hull Crown Court heard.
Walkington, 19, of Wareham Close, Bransholme, Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3.
Ben Hammersley, prosecuting, said that Walkington was present throughout a “large-scale public disorder” in Hull city centre. He was shown in body-worn camera pictures, mobile phone footage and scenes from social media.
Walkington was with others in Ferensway outside the Royal Hotel facing a line of police officers. He was later seen in Jameson Street where he removed his orange top and used it as a “makeshift balaclava” around his head.
He took a brick from another person at about 6.30pm and walked towards the police cordon with the brick in his hand. He threw a brick and it seemingly rebounded from a police riot shield and fell on the ground near the feet of police. He got a second brick and threw it.
Walkington was also outside Greggs while others tried to force their way in but he was not among those who went in. “He was still alongside while others were forcing their way in,” said Mr Hammersley.
“He was in the thick of what was going on and throwing bricks at police,” said Mr Hammersley. “He was in front of the barrier outside the Royal Hotel. The crowd were advancing and targeting that hotel because of it housing foreign nationals.”
(Image: Humberside Police)
Walkington was identified after police searches for his image on a national database. The police went round to his home but he was out. He handed himself in on October 15 and told police: “I haven’t done anything wrong.” He denied throwing anything at police and he said that he had no intention of hurting officers.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Walkington pleaded guilty and he had no previous convictions. There were references for him.
Walkington was 18 at the time and he was encouraged by another male to go into the city centre that day. He joined in with others after seeing what they were doing. He threw bricks and put his T-shirt over his head because others were doing so.
“It doesn’t excuse his behaviour,” said Miss Thompson. “He has shown genuine shame for what he has been involved in. It’s by sheer luck that the brick did not hit anyone but he accepts that it was more by luck than design.
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“He accepts that his behaviour was disgusting. He wants to apologise to all the vulnerable people there. He is not someone who engages in racial behaviour.”
Walkington told the court: “It wasn’t right at all how I behaved that day. If I could go back, I would change my actions and I wouldn’t have gone.” He said that he was working as a general operative at a flower warehouse.
Walkington, who had been on bail, was given 150 hours’ unpaid work and 10 days’ rehabilitation.