Wednesday 28 August 2024
A 20-year-old who used social media to try and incite unrest in Huddersfield has been jailed in the latest conviction in West Yorkshire for disorder.
Harvey Gardener (20) of Queens Way, Kirkburton was jailed for nine months at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday August 28 for encouraging or assisting in the commission of an either way offence believing it would be committed.
The charge related to social media posts Gardener created between August 3 and August 5 encouraging violent disorder in Huddersfield.
His sentencing followed that of a Leeds man who was jailed on Tuesday in a separate case investigated as part of the force’s response to the national disorder.
Nicholas Hemmingway (34) of Walpole Road Leeds was jailed on August 27 for a total of 12 months.
The 34-year-old was jailed for an offence of intending to cause religiously aggravated harassment, alarm and distress in an incident in Leeds on August 3.
Both males were also made subject of five year Criminal Behaviour Orders at their sentencing hearings.
Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We remain resolute in our determination to identify and take action against all those in West Yorkshire who were involved in criminality during the shocking disorder the country witnessed.
“Harvey Gardener used social media to try and incite unrest in Huddersfield at a time when tensions were absolutely acute and we know his posts caused genuine fear and distress in communities. We are pleased to see him jailed today.
“Nicholas Hemingway deliberately set out to cause religiously aggravated offence to others in Leeds city centre on August 3 and is the latest man to be jailed by the courts for that particular incident.
“We continue to use all the investigative tools available to us to bring those involved in the recent disorder to justice.”
Monday, 19 August 2024
A Leeds man has been jailed in the latest sentencing in West Yorkshire following national disorder offending.
Nadim Hussain (24) from Greenhow Road, Leeds was jailed for 14 months at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday August 19).
The 24-year-old had pleaded guilty to an offence of affray relating to his involvement in a disorder incident in Leeds City Centre on August 3.
The disorder took place following an earlier protest in the city.
Hussain was also made the subject of a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Assistant Chief Constable Carl Galvin of West Yorkshire Police, said:
"This latest sentence reinforces the position that there is simply no place for disorderly and violent behaviour in our communities.
“West Yorkshire Police continues to use all the investigative tools available to us to bring those involved in the incidents we saw earlier this month to justice."
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Thursday August 15, 2024
More criminals from West Yorkshire are now behind bars for their roles in recent national disorder and hate offending.
West Yorkshire Police has welcomed the sentencing of Philip Hoban, James Gettings and Simon Scott from Leeds. All have been jailed this week.
Hoban (48) Northcote Crescent, Leeds was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today (August 15) for eight months for causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm /distress through words or behaviour. He committed the offences in Leeds City Centre on August 3.
The 48-year-old was also made subject to a five year Criminal Behaviour Order
James Gettings (35) of Landseer Walk, Bramley was sentenced to eight months in prison at Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday 15 August.
He was jailed for an offence of causing religiously aggravated harassment/alarm/distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour. The offence occurred in Leeds City Centre on August 3.
Simon Scott (49) of Kentmere Approach, Leeds, meanwhile, was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison in a hearing at Leeds Magistrates Court on Tuesday August 13.
The 49-year-old was convicted of an offence of publishing a social media post which was grossly offensive. The offending took place between July 29 and August 9.
The latest cases following the conviction and sentencing of four men at Leeds Crown Court on Friday August 9. All four males were given prison sentencing after admitting offences committed in West Yorkshire.
So far 34 arrests relating to disorder have been made by the force.
Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Our investigations into those involved in disorder continue and we remain absolutely determined to identify and take firm action against all those who have offended.
“There is absolutely no place for disorder offences or racially aggravated offending in our county and I can promise that those who seem to think that it is acceptable to behave in this way will be hunted down and locked up.
“As we have seen, the government and courts are taking a firm stance against this thuggery, as are we.
“We continue to use all the investigative tools available to us to bring those involved in the recent disorder to justice.”
Wednesday August 14, 2024
A Leeds man is due to appear before magistrates after being charged as part of West Yorkshire Police’s continuing enquiries into disorder.
James Gettings (35) of Landseer Walk, Bramley will appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Wednesday 14 August charged with an offence of causing harrasment, alarm or distress through words or behvaiour. The offence is alleged to have occurred in Leeds City Centre on August 3.
The force has made a total 33 arrests since August 3.
We will use all the investigative tools available to us to bring those involved in the recent disorder to justice.
Friday August 9, 2024
Four criminals, including a man who used social media to try and incite an attack on a hotel, have been jailed in the first sentencings linked to disorder in West Yorkshire.
All four of the men were convicted at Leeds Crown Court today (August 9) after pleading guilty at magistrates' court hearings on Wednesday August 7.
The men sentenced today were:
Jordan Parlour (28) of Brooklands Close, Leeds was sentenced to 20 months in prison for publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred. The 28-year-old had published material on Facebook on August 4 calling for a hotel in Leeds District to be attacked. His case is thought to be the first in which someone has been convicted for posting online in relation to the disorder.
Jordan Plain (30) of Broadway Horsforth, was sentenced to eight months in prison for a racially aggravated intentional harassment offence in Leeds on Saturday, August 3. The 30-year-old was seen making racially offensive gestures to other parties.
Sameer Ali (21) of West Park Drive, Leeds was sentenced to 20 months in prison for an affray offence committed in Leeds City Centre on Saturday August 3.
Adnan Ghafoor (31) of Spen Bank, Leeds was sentenced to two years and six months for an affray offence committed in Leeds City Centre on Saturday August 3. He was also sentenced for breach of a suspended sentence.
Both Ali and Ghafoor were convicted for their roles in a violent disorder incident in Leeds which took place after a largely peaceful protest in the city centre.
Police have pledged no stone will be left unturned to bring the guilty to justice as multiple active enquiries continue into offending relating to national disorder.
Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan of West Yorkshire Police, said: “It is clearly welcome that the first men convicted for their roles in disorder have faced justice so quickly. The government pledged those involved in this disgraceful disorder in any way would face the full force of the law, and the criminal justice system is delivering on that pledge in West Yorkshire as it is elsewhere across the country.
“The conviction of Jordan Parlour is particularly notable as the first case in which someone has been convicted for posting online in relation to the disorder. This man encouraged others to attack a hotel, putting those inside at real risk.
“His sentencing should make it crystal clear that offending on social media from your front room carries just as much consequence as committing offences on the streets. Such behaviour has penalties and will see you before the courts to face justice and prison."
He added: “Our warning to anyone thinking of getting involved in this type of criminality is clear - if you cause or incite violence, or commit related offending, we will take all necessary steps and use all means at our disposal to bring you to justice.”
Thursday August 8, 2024
Two men appeared at court today after being charged as part of our continuing investigation into disorder.
Philip Hoban (48) of Northcote Crescent, Leeds was convicted at Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday 8 August, after being charged with causing racially, religiously aggravated harassment, alarm /distress through words.
He will appear before Leeds Crown Court on August 15 for sentencing.
Christopher Clayton (66) of Station Cottages, Wakefield appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday August 8 charged with an offence of violent disorder in Rotherham and an offence of violent disorder in Merseyside.
He was also charged with seven offences of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and possession of an article of police uniform. The 66-year-old was remanded in custody to next appear before Leeds Crown Court on August 15.
The force has made a total 20 arrests since August 3.
We will use all the investigative tools available to us to bring those involved in the recent disorder to justice.
Wednesday August 7, 2024
Criminals convicted for their roles in disorder are set to be sentenced this week as investigations continue into offending in West Yorkshire.
Four men are set to appear before the courts this Friday (August 9) to be sentenced after being convicted for offences such as affray, racially aggravated harassment and intent to stir racial hatred.
One of the men has been charged with encouraging or assisting violent disorder after allegedly posting social media posts encouraging disorder in Huddersfield on 5 August.
We will leave no stone unturned to bring those involved in offences related to disorder to justice and will use all the investigative tools available to the force to investigate offences.
Our warning to anyone thinking of getting involved in this type of criminality is clear - if you cause or incite violence, or commit related offending, you will face the full force of the law.
Persons convicted to appear before the courts for sentence are:
Sameer Ali (21) of West Park Drive, Leeds will appear before Leeds Crown Court for sentence on Friday 9 August. He has been convicted of an affray offence and was remanded in custody for sentencing.
Adnan Ghafoor (31) of Spen Bank , Leeds will appear before Leeds Crown Court for sentence on Friday 9 August. He has been convicted of an affray offence and was remanded in custody for sentencing
Jordan Parlour (28) of Brooklands Close, Leeds will appear before Leeds Magistrates Court for sentence on Friday 9 August. He has been convicted of publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred and was remanded in custody for sentencing.
Jordan Plain (30) of Broadway Horsforth, Leeds will appear before Leeds Crown Court for sentence on Friday 9 August. He has been convicted of racially aggravated intentional harassment and was remanded in custody for sentencing.
A 16 year old Leeds male will appear before Leeds Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday 4 September. He was convicted of using threatening abusive, insulting words/ behaviour with intent which is likely to stir racial hatred.
People charged with offences are:
- Harvey Gardner (20) of Queens Way Kirkburton was remanded to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Wednesday 7 August, charged with encouraging or assisting violent disorder. This charge relates to social media posts about disorder in Huddersfield. He was remanded in custody to next appear before Leeds Crown Court on August 28.
- Kaden Smith (19) of Pollard Square, Manchester, was bailed to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday 19 August charged with assaulting an emergency worker.
- Joe Levitt (30) of Kingsway, Bradford was bailed to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday 19 August charged with failure to comply with a Section 35 order.
- Anthony Levitt (67) of Naburn Court, Leeds was bailed to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday 19 August charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
