He was shown on CCTV pictures involved in trouble in the Spring Bank and Milky Way areas
A troublemaker who joined in scenes of disorder and arson during a day of rioting in Hull city centre hurled tyres and wood onto fires that had already been set. Carl Dunn played his part in “utterly deplorable” public disturbances that erupted as part of “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that day, Hull Crown Court heard.
Dunn, 58, of Saffrondale, Anlaby, admitted offences of violent disorder and arson on August 3 last year. Michael Forrest, prosecuting, said that Dunn was involved in scenes of public disorder in Hull city centre.
He was shown on CCTV pictures involved in trouble in the Spring Bank and Milky Way areas at about 5pm. He was seen throwing wood onto a makeshift fire in the middle of the street in Spring Bank. He did not start the fire.
“He has just come along and joined in,” said Mr Forrest. Dunn moved on to the Milky Way area and threw tyres onto a fire that had already been lit.
A family, including children, had to seek refuge and were struggling to breathe through the smoke and fumes of the fire. Dunn had convictions for 26 previous offences, most recently assault in 2022, when he had been fined.
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Dunn had suffered problems over the years and he had used illicit drugs in the past. He had been on methadone for about 10 years.
“There is a large gap in his offending between 2015 and 2022 and this is a defendant who can keep out of trouble,” said Miss Scott. “He has been out of trouble for anything serious for quite a long time.”
Dunn had worked in the past as a psychiatric nursing assistant. He often rescued cats and a cat rescue organisation in Filey was prepared to offer him work as a coordinator to continue this.
Judge John Thackray KC told Dunn: “Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence. During those 12 hours of mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused. There was huge financial cost incurred.”
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Fear and distress was caused to the communities that had been targeted and they were – and are – frightened to go about their daily life. “You were very much involved in the setting of a fire by throwing tyres and the like onto the fire,” said Judge Thackray.
“One can imagine the fear of those members of the public, including children, who were cowering in the garage workshop.” It was “utterly deplorable” public disorder, with repeated racist chanting and threats to kill.
“You were adding to the fire that had been lit and you were certainly playing your role but I accept that you were not playing a leading role,” said Judge Thackray. “It may be that your risk can be managed in the community and that you can be rehabilitated.
“Ultimately, only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.” Dunn, who had been on bail, was jailed for 16 months.