Man who stamped on victim's head at riot jailed

Ameer Khalile, from Stockton-on-Tees, was jailed for two years and 10 months

A man who carried out a "vicious and violent attack" during riots has been jailed for almost three years.

Ameer Khalile, 25, stamped on his victim's head during public disorder that broke out in Middlesbrough on 4 August.

Teesside Crown Court was told he had gone out to defend his mosque because he thought the local Asian community would be targeted.

Sentencing Khalile, of Limerick Avenue, Stockton, to two years and 10 months, Judge Richard Clews said the victim had "done nothing wrong" and was "probably attacked because he was white".

'White racist scum'

The court heard 1,000 people turned up for a planned peaceful protest in the town, which quickly turned violent.

Shops, homes and businesses were smashed up, bins were set alight and missiles were thrown.

Chants of "take our country back'' were also heard in the crowd.

The court heard Khalile was part of a group of men that were shouting ''white racist scum'' as they ran down the street and targeted the man.

CCTV footage played to the court showed Khalile stamping on the man's head, who fell face down into a ditch.

The court heard Khalile ran away and was seen at the door of a pub aiming a punch at someone and kicking at the door.

He was identified in the following weeks after an appeal by police.

Khalile was arrested at his home during raids by Cleveland Police on 28 August.

Tom Bennett, defending, said racial tension had spread across the country, "whipped up by far right extremists".

''He was caught up in the events that followed and is now remorseful," he said.

Khalile pleaded guilty to violent disorder and attempted GBH with intent.