A 31-year-old man who threw rocks during a chaotic confrontation in Hanley city centre has been handed a prison sentence. Levi Jones took to the streets on August 3 after learning via social media that a mosque on Town Road might be targeted amid rising tensions.
Wearing a balaclava, Jones was seen shouting provocatively and launching stones toward a group of rival demonstrators. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that he also threw debris at police officers while violence flared in several areas, including Potteries Way.
Jones has now been sentenced to two years in prison for his actions that day, with the term to be served consecutively to an existing five-year sentence he is already serving for firearms offences.
According to prosecutor David Bennett, the unrest in Hanley followed community tensions in the wake of the Southport murders. Far-right demonstrators and members of the Asian community clashed, prompting a heavy police presence to manage the volatile situation.
Mr Bennett said: “A significant number of officers were deployed in an attempt to restore order. Unfortunately, they too became targets. Both members of the public and police sustained injuries, and extensive damage was caused during the disorder.
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“Jones was among a group of counter-protesters seen moving around the city centre. CCTV captured him near the mosque at 1:40pm, throwing objects at protesters. Just minutes later, he was observed picking up a large stone in a nearby car park and hurling it toward the opposition while taunting them. Later, on Potteries Way, he was seen breaking up rocks and launching them at police officers.”
Jones was apprehended on October 17. During police interviews, he admitted being involved in the confrontation but denied targeting police. He claimed he acted in self-defence and only directed rocks at other demonstrators.
The court was told Jones, of Warwick Street, Shelton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. His defence barrister, Paul Cliff, stated that Jones had received word that protesters might attack the mosque and responded out of concern. He added that Jones had been subjected to Islamophobic abuse and regretted his failure to maintain composure during the incident.
“He is remorseful for his actions and recognises that he lacked self-control,” Mr Cliff said.
Judge Graeme Smith, in passing sentence, acknowledged that Jones may not have initially intended to become violent. However, he emphasised the seriousness of the defendant’s behaviour.
“You may have arrived without any plan to engage in violence, but your conduct clearly escalated alongside the disorder,” said Judge Smith. “You threw multiple objects toward the protesters, actions which were entirely unnecessary given the strong police presence.”
The judge added: “Your decision to throw missiles not only risked serious harm to officers but also intensified the situation, fueling further aggression from opposing groups.”
Jones will now serve a total of seven years behind bars, combining both his firearms and violent disorder convictions.