Ex-fisherman used riot as 'excuse for burglaries'

Lee Battams was jailed after he tried to smash into two retail outlets during the disorder on 3 August

A former fisherman who "used the riots in Hull as an excuse to commit burglaries" has been jailed.

Lee Battams, 36, tried to smash into two retail outlets on Jameson Street during the violent disorder in the city on 3 August.

Hull Crown Court heard a terrified staff member was stood inside Morrisons trying to close the shutters, before the 36-year-old then broke into the O2 shop allowing looters to swarm the premises.

Battams was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, burglary and attempted burglary.

The court heard he handed himself in at a police station on 8 September and told officers: "I was involved in the riots, I was the one who smashed the window at the O2 store first.

"I know I'm going down, I'm going to use it to get myself sorted. I think I need it."

Judge John Thackray KC said the father, who has a five-year-old son, did not play a leading role in the violent disorder but used it "as a means to commit burglary".

There was more than £30,000 worth of damage and items stolen from the O2 store, the court heard

The judge was told Battams, who has a pregnant partner, has the criminal record "of a thief rather than someone who engages in antisocial behaviour".

There was a gap in his record when he was working in Norway as a fisherman, but he lost his job during Brexit and "started mixing with the wrong crowd", the court heard.

Battams was likely to "miss the birth of his child while in custody", the judge was told.

Sentencing him on Monday, Judge Thackray said his case is "quite unusual in the context of the disorder cases" because he had taken advantage of the rioting to carry out the burglaries.

"Nevertheless, it is the context which is critically important," said the judge.

"You were the one who instigated attempts to smash down the doors of Morrisons while there was a member of staff stood inside. He must have been terrified as you and others attacked the doors.

"You then went round to the O2 store which was unoccupied. You were the one who started attacking the doors. You entered and stole a tablet."

The court heard there was more than £30,000 worth of damage and items stolen from the phone shop.

Dozens of people have been prosecuted since the riot, which followed demonstrations involving anti-immigration protesters and anti-racism campaigners.

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