'Inspired by the ignorance of racism…' judge hits out at rioters who left innocent people in fear

A judge said rioters had been ‘inspired by the ignorance of racism’ as he locked up the first criminals to be dealt with in Manchester. Judge John Potter said ‘lies’ had been ‘deliberately spread’ following the tragic death of three children in Southport about the ‘supposed nationality’ of the alleged attacker.

It was later announced that the accused is British and was born in Wales. Thugs targeted a hotel being used to house asylum seekers in Newton Heath two days later, with missiles being thrown at the building and towards police.

The following weekend, trouble broke out in Manchester city centre following a far-right demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens. A lone black man was the victim of a sickening attack, while thugs kicked shop windows on Mosley Street.

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Judge Potter locked up three men for violent disorder in connection with the incidents during hearings at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday. The trio were the first across Greater Manchester to be jailed for the charge as part of riots following the tragedy in Southport.

Paul Smith, 21, from Newton Heath, threw missiles outside the hotel on Oldham Road. Oliver Chapman, 23, from Radcliffe, kicked out at a vape shop window. Joseph Ley, 30, from Stockport, launched the sickening attack on the lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens.

Judge Potter told the trio: “On July 29 of this year an appalling and tragic attack took place in Southport. Three children lost their lives and numerous other children and adults were seriously injured in a knife attack.

“Shortly after that attack, lies were deliberately spread via leaflets, the internet and social media as to