A rioter who kicked a female police officer to the ground and participated in an attack on a garage that resulted in nine cars being damaged has been sentenced to three years in jail.
Connor Whiteley played a “prominent role” in the “racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that unfolded in Hull on Saturday, August 3. The court heard Whiteley was captured on CCTV several times throughout the day trying to hide his face with a black scarf. He was at the front of a group confronting police who were trying to protect a hotel known to house asylum seekers and was seen charging at officers.
He was jailed on Wednesday as the judge encouraged prosecutors to consider charging offenders who played central roles in the disorder with rioting, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years – double the potential tariff for violent disorder convictions
The court heard the 26-year-old kicked the shield of a female police officer, forcing her off her feet and leaving her with a minor injury to her elbow and forearm. Whiteley was also part of a group that targeted a garage, setting cars alight and shouting threats at staff, who were forced to lock themselves inside.
During the court proceedings, it was mentioned that the defendant was seen leaning through the rear window of one of the damaged vehicles. While the attack was taking place, the judge said that “members of the public, including children, were terrified and cowering only 20 meters away whilst threats were being made to kill them”.
Jailing Whiteley, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, John Thackray KC, the Recorder of Hull, said “immeasurable harm” was caused to the city during 12 hours of disorder. “Despite their bravery, 11 officers were injured, one of them will be permanently scarred. A huge financial cost has been incurred, most significantly of all, victim impact statements describe the fear and distress caused to those communities who were targeted.
