Jacqueline Howard
BBC News
Two men have received lengthy prison sentences in connection with the violent riots that broke out in parts of England and Northern Ireland after the Southport stabbings.
David Wilkinson, 48, was sentenced to six years in prison, while 25-year-old John Honey received a sentence of four years and eight months. Both were part of a “baying mob” that attacked a car containing three Romanian men in Hull on August 3.
Honey, in addition to his involvement in the violent attack, also took part in looting shops, including the cosmetics store Lush. Both men were part of the chaos that unfolded as tensions rose following the stabbing incident in Southport.
The events in Hull saw a mob target a car as it was driven through the streets. The attackers surrounded the vehicle and attempted to drag the men inside from the car, while Wilkinson was seen smashing the windscreen, causing £1,500 in damage. The terrified men inside the car managed to escape and fled to a nearby hotel, hands raised in surrender.
During sentencing, Judge John Thackray KC described the events of August 3 as “12 hours of racist, hate-fueled mob violence.” He condemned the actions of Wilkinson and Honey, noting that both men had acted with intent to cause harm and create a high risk of injury. Judge Thackray also found the footage of the riots “depressing” and “horrifying.”
Wilkinson was involved in another violent incident that day when he participated in an attack on a garage, where nine cars were damaged. He was also caught trying to set fire to a bin placed on top of a pile of tyres, sending black smoke into a nearby workshop where people were sheltering. Wilkinson pleaded guilty to violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage, and attempted arson.
Honey, who also participated in the garage attack, admitted to violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage, and three counts of burglary, including at Lush, an O2 store, and Shoezone. His actions were described by Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, as “appalling, shameless, and violent.”
So far, over 1,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest, with 480 people charged and 99 sentences handed down. The case against Wilkinson and Honey underscores the severe consequences of participating in mob violence and criminal behaviour.