Paedophile hunter jailed for racist abuse at demo

Phil Hoban had founded a group which snared suspected paedophiles

A self-styled paedophile hunter has been jailed after admitting racially abusing pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Leeds.

Phil Hoban was a prominent figure in an anti-immigration protest in the centre of Leeds on 3 August, where he could be seen shouting and chanting.

In a statement to Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, the 48-year-old said he was not racist and had stepped down from the Predator Exposure group he had founded which had "really gutted me".

He was jailed for eight months, having previously pleaded guilty to causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

Hoban claimed to have snared 440 "online predators" using his social media channels, which he described as "child protection" work.

One of the people who was caught in a sting operation from the group was Irish TV producer Kieran Creaven, who was jailed at the same court.

Hoban told the court he had worked with police on a number of occasions in that role.

Hoban had been at the front of a group who were chanting

The father-of-three had been filmed by police at the demonstration outside the art gallery in the city centre.

The non-violent event coincided with disorder in other towns and cities, including Sunderland and Southport.

Climbing on a barrier, Hoban was pictured "rubbing your lips towards a person of colour", said the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC.

Hoban, of Northcote Crescent in Leeds, was then said to have imitated the manner in which Muslim people pray, in "order to mock their religion", Judge Kearl added.

The court was told Hoban had been making slurs referencing Allah.

He denied this in a police interview, instead saying he was chanting about a man called "Alan".

The judge said his "conduct and that of your group was designed to stir up hatred".

James Gettings was jailed at Leeds Crown Court

James Gettings, 35, was jailed for eight months at Leeds Crown Court alongside Hoban.

He was part of the same anti-immigration demonstration and video of him mocking Muslim people praying was shown to Judge Kearl on Thursday.

Gettings, of Landseer Walk in Bramley, admitted causing religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress at a previous hearing.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said the defendant told police after he was arrested that he was "disgusted" by his own behaviour, he had been disowned by members of his family and that "three seconds of madness has ruined his life".

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