Riot racism hearing over 'white' driver checks

Police were attacked and cars and homes damaged during violence in Middlesbrough on 4 August

The sentencing of a man who stopped motorists to check if they were "white" during anti-immigration disorder has been delayed so a court can determine if his actions were racist.

Jake Wray, 23, was seen asking drivers if they were "white" or "English" during violent protests in Middlesbrough on 4 August, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He has admitted violent disorder but claimed he was trying to warn drivers they could be attacked if they continued down the road, the court heard.

Judge Francis Laird KC said Wray would get a longer term if he was deemed to have acted on racial or ideological grounds.

More than 1,000 people attended a protest march which began at the cenotaph on Linthorpe Road shortly before 14:00 BST, prosecutor Rachel Masters said.

Shouts of "take our country back" were heard as the initially peaceful march made its way towards the town centre, the court heard.

But violence erupted after an object was thrown at the marchers from Clarendon Road, which prompted cars and buildings to be attacked and missiles to be thrown at police.

'Racist group'

Wray, who had a St George's Flag draped around his neck which he used at times to obscure his face, was seen at several incidents, Ms Masters said.

He was first spotted leaning into a car three minutes before it was set on fire, the court heard.

Footage was then recorded of him trying to stop vehicles and asking drivers if they were "white" or "English".

Later he was part of a group seen thrusting a burning bin towards officers, Ms Masters said.

The prosecutor said Wray, of Seaton Street, was at the "forefront" of the disorder and was "part of a racist group".

She said it caused "serious fear and distress throughout the community" as well as having "substantial financial costs".

'Swept up'

Wray told police and probation officers he had been trying to help drivers by warning them of possible attacks.

Judge Laird said he had already jailed a number of people involved in the disorder on the basis they were "foolish" and got "swept up in the events" but who were "not directly there for any ideological or racist motive".

He said the motivation of defendants was a "matter of some significance" and people who took part in disorder because of racial beliefs would get longer jail terms.

A date for the two-hour hearing to establish motive, called a Newton hearing, is due to be fixed in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile Wray remains on remand at HMP Nottingham.

His partner and her mother have also been jailed for their involvement in the disorder.