Man jailed for encouraging Facebook users to attack hotel housing asylum seekers
The prime minister has warned that social media is not a "law-free zone", as ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman reports
A man who encouraged people on Facebook to attack a Leeds hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed in what is thought to be the first case of its kind relating to the riots.
Jordan Parlour, 28, was sentenced to 20 months at Leeds Crown Court, over a post about the Britannia Hotel, in the Seacroft area of the city, which was home to 210 refugees and asylum seekers.
The court heard he wrote on Facebook: "Every man and their dog should be smashing f*** out Britannia Hotel."
The court heard Parlour posted the comments after the hotel had been targeted by people throwing missiles and breaking windows, and more attacks happened later.
Bodycam footage shows the moment Parlour was arrested
It was also heard that his mother wrote a letter to court which said: “We can only speculate he’s been caught up and swept away by emotions circulating throughout the country.”
He appeared to blow a raspberry as he was led from the court.
Rosemary Ainslie, acting head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: “Let me be absolutely clear, people who think they can hide behind their keyboards and stir up racial hatred should think again.
“Jordan Parlour advocated violence through his online posts and risked the safety of those staying and working at the hotel.
“He is now facing a prison sentence for his actions and I hope this serves as a stark reminder that online actions have consequences."
A second man in Wales has also been jailed for encouraging people on social media to start a riot.
Richard Williams, 34, posted about taking part in a riot and shared a derogatory meme about migrants in a local Facebook group dedicated to protests, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Williams, of Buckley, Flintshire, was sentenced to three months in prison at Mold Magistrates’ Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to one count of sending menacing messages via a public communication network.
The sentencing came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier reiterated the law still applies to people's behaviour online, as more of those involved in riots are set to be sentenced on Friday.
Incidents of violent unrest have spread across the country following the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last week.
The King has offered his “heartfelt thanks” to the police for restoring order, after speaking to Sir Keir Starmer and police leaders.
More than 400 people have been arrested, over 120 have been charged and a number of those convicted have been jailed in fast-tracked court appearances on Wednesday and Thursday.
Professor of Internet Law at Essex University, Lorna Woods, told ITV News that the hate speech posted on social media is the 'responsibility of the individuals'
Some have been given prison sentences after posting on social media, including Billy Thompson, 31 from Maryport, who was sentenced to 12 weeks for posting racially aggravated and offensive content.
"This is not a law-free zone, and I think that’s clear from the prosecutions and sentencing," Starmer said.
“That’s a reminder to everyone that whether you’re directly involved or whether you’re remotely involved, you’re culpable, and you will be put before the courts if you’ve broken the law."
The Prime Minister reiterated police were on high alert going into the weekend, des
pite far-right protests planned for this week largely failing to materialise.
Asked if the start of the EFL season on Friday evening may have an impact, Starmer said: “I think there were a lot of things in the mix this weekend but of course, whatever the challenge, we have to rise to it.
“That’s why I’ve had Cobra meetings, that’s why I’ve been talking to the police today about their plans for the weekend."
He also issued a fresh warning that the "full force of the law" will be applied to those considering joining any violent protests across the weekend.
Police forces across the country have issued further CCTV appeals to identify people in connection with the widespread disorder over the past week.
Detectives investigating disorder in Merseyside issued images of 11 people on Thursday.
Merseyside Police said they had “received a significant number of calls from people naming those pictured” after releasing images of 14 people the day before.
Greater Manchester Police issued images of five people over an outbreak of disorder in the city centre’s Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday August 3, as well as 10 people following disorder in Bolton town centre on Sunday.
They also released a picture of a man they want to speak to after disorder on Oldham Road, Newton Heath, on July 31.
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On Wednesday images of 21 people were issued by South Yorkshire Police in connection with violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, and Humberside Police released 16 images following unrest in Hull.
Merseyside Police Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “I want the people in these images to make themselves known as soon as possible, as we think they will have information that can assist our investigations.
“Detectives are working through hours of CCTV and camera phone footage as well as information as it comes in, and anyone identified committing offences will join the 46 we have already arrested.
“We have charged 17, seven of whom have already been jailed, so it should come as no surprise to anyone involved when they get a knock on the door from Merseyside Police.
“There will be more sentenced in the coming days, and the courts are acting swiftly to jail those who brought violence, destruction and hatred into our communities.
“To anyone intent on causing disorder here I have one clear message: we will find you, and we will put you before the courts.”
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