Hull riots: Thug who kicked policewoman to ground jailed for three years

THREE YEARS: Connor Whiteley

By Simon Bristow, Co Editor

A man who kicked a female police officer to the floor during “horrifying” racist mob violence in Hull city centre has been jailed for three years.

Connor Whiteley, 26, played a “prominent role” in the widescale disorder on August 3, Hull Crown Court heard.

Although he attempted to cover his face, Whiteley was also captured on video throwing missiles and later taking part in the damaging of vehicles – which was witnessed by “terrified” children and other members of the public while threats were being made to kill them.

Whiteley, of Spring Bank, west Hull, admitted violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.

He was described in mitigation as a “family man” with mental health issues, but sentencing Whiteley today, Judge John Thackray KC, the Recorder of Hull, said that did not reduce his culpability.

The judge began his sentencing remarks by noting that Hull was “a city proudly linked with the city of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone”.

He said Whiteley’s offending took place during 12 hours of “racist hate-fuelled mob violence”.

Judge Thackray told Whiteley: “Although your involvement was limited to three minutes video footage you played a prominent role, you attempted to conceal your face whilst charging at police officers and kicking a female police officer to the floor. You were throwing missiles.

“About three-and-a-half hours later you were involved in damaging motor vehicles which had been set on fire, with members of the public including children terrified and cowering only 20 metres away whilst threats were being made to kill them.

“It is a wholly wrong approach to take the acts of any individual participator in isolation. This court takes into account the total picture. In particular, this court takes into account the level and nature of the violence used, the scale of the disorder, the extent to which it is premeditated, the number of persons engaged in the context of the overall picture and the specific acts of the individual defendant.

“The imposition of severe sentences, intended to provide both punishment and deterrence, must follow.”

The judge said “immeasurable harm” had been caused, and noted that 11 police officers were injured, including one who is scarred for life.

The judge found Whiteley’s offending was racially aggravated.

He added: “I have watched all of the video footage. It is depressing and horrifying to watch.

“From beginning to end it shows utterly deplorable, disgusting public disorder involving huge numbers of people, repeated racist chanting, threats to kill innocent members of the public, determined attacks upon the police, the looting of a number of commercial premises, the damage by fire of numerous vehicles and the closing of the city’s railway station.”

Whiteley was sentenced to three years in prison for violent disorder, and 14 months for assault of an emergency worker, which will run concurrently.