Men threw bricks at mosque during disorder

Ashley Morris, Lee Grocott, and Jarrod Hollinshead, were caught throwing items including stones and bricks at a mosque

Five men, including three who threw bricks and other items at a mosque, have been jailed for taking part in violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent.

James Watkins, Andrew Townley, Ashley Morris, Lee Grocott, and Jarrod Hollinshea, took part in a protest in the city on 3 August, organised in response to a knife attack at a dance studio in Southport in July that left three girls dead.

Stoke Crown Court heard Grocott stood on a bench being "verbally abusive" towards a group of peaceful protesters near the town hall.

All five men entered guilty pleas. Judge Sally Hancock said "Weapons were brandished, missiles were thrown and a number of people were injured."

Watkins was caught on camera being verbally abusive, while Townley tried to break through the police line

• Watkins, 35, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 36 months for violent disorder

• Townley, 45, of Hanley, was ordered to serve 34 months in prison for violent disorder, with an eight-month sentence for assaulting an emergency worker to run concurrently

• Morris, 31, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, was imprisoned for 30 months for violent disorder

• Grocott, 48, of Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for 32 months for violent disorder

• Hollinshead, 26, of no fixed address, was given a sentence of 22 months for affray, as well as a 14-month sentence for his involvement in the burglary of an 87-year-old man's house in July

Prosecutors said Grocott told police when he was arrested at his home on September 9, he had attended to "protest illegal immigration and the state of the country".

The court heard that Morris and Hollinshead were each caught on CCTV and police body-worn camera throwing missiles including stones and bricks at the Darul Falah mosque in Town Road, Hanley.

Morris's barrister said the father of three had gone into town to "see what was going on" after he finished work and that he lost his job as a groundworker as a result of being held in custody.

Hollinshead, who has been homeless for more than a decade took part in the protest hours after leaving the city's magistrate's court over an unrelated offence, the court heard.

He said he initially thought it was going to be a parade, with bands and music, and was encouraged to join because there would be free beer shared, but realised it was a protest when he saw bricks being thrown.

Townley was wearing a high-visibility jacket with the telephone number of his workplace on the back, was trying to get to his mother's home on the other side of the police cordon, his barrister said.

He was arrested at his workplace after trying to break through the police line, to which he was pushed back by an officer using her riot shield.

His barrister said he had no intention of being part of a protest.

Watkins was also caught on body-worn camera footage standing on a bench, being verbally abusive and gesturing with his hands.

His barrister said he got involved after drinking with a friend in the town centre.

He said: "He says he holds no right-wing beliefs but he accepts that, through curiosity, he got involved and deeply regrets following the protesters."