Hatton Garden jeweller jailed for Whitehall disorder

The protest took place on 31 July

A Hatton Garden jeweller has been jailed for eight months after admitting racially aggravated public order offences at a recent demonstration near Downing Street in London.

Russ Cooke, 66, of Islington, told officers they would be "put to the sword" when "the Muslims... start yelling Allahu Akbar".

A drunk Cooke had been drinking with friends in central London on 31 July when he decided to join in with the disorder in Whitehall and "got carried away", Inner London Crown Court heard.

He told officers they were "filthy traitors" who had been "brainwashed", and pushed a metal barrier towards them.

'Deeply ashamed'

Cooke, who spent much of the hearing with his head bowed, did not react as he was told he would be sent to prison.

Police arrested 121 people following the violent disorder, two days after the death of three young girls stabbed in the Southport knife attack.

Bottles and cans were thrown at police and flares were launched at the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

Cooke, who the court heard was "deeply ashamed" of his behaviour, admitted to the three racially aggravated public order offences at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Sentencing Cooke, Judge Benedict Kelleher said the jeweller's actions had been motivated by his hostility towards a particular group.

"Only a custodial sentence can be justified," Judge Kelleher added.