A rioter who carried out a horrific racist attack on a lone black man has been jailed after the father-of-two claimed he thought he was taking part in a gathering to 'celebrate British culture'.
Joseph Ley, 30, was “motivated by racial hatred” when he kicked and punched a man in the face during a far-right demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, on August 3.
The idiot began to attack him in a vicious manner, asking him, “Do you have a problem with our English, bro?” after which he was encouraged by the group of idiots to “kill him” and “stomp on his fucking face.”
He appeared in Manchester Crown Court today, where he was sentenced to three years and two months in prison. The judge told him as he sent him to court: 'You are a violent, racist thug.'
Ley, of Hardman Street, Stockport, was sentenced after admitting violent disorder and being in possession of an offensive weapon – an extendable baton – which was found at his home.
Joseph Ley, 30, was 'motivated by racial hatred' when he kicked and punched a lone black man in the face during a far-right demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester on August 3
He was today sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon (Pictured: Police on horseback and foot patrol the streets of Piccadilly Gardens on August 3)
He was given a two-month prison sentence, to be served concurrently, for possession of an offensive weapon.
Prosecutor Philip Hall said footage obtained by police showed “a black man being confronted by a group of white men” in the city centre.
Hall said the attack was “motivated by racial hatred” and Ley was the “first to use physical violence” against the man, punching and kicking him in the face.
In the footage, Ley can be heard saying: “Do you have a problem with our English, bro?”
The footage also shows people in the crowd shouting, “Kill him” and “Stand on his f****** face.”
Addressing the judge, John Potter told Ley: 'Your actions in Piccadilly Gardens amounted to nothing more or less than senseless violence, inspired by your intolerant and racist views.
'You played a leading role in the attack, you were the first person to incite the violence.
“You are a violent, racist criminal who has access to weapons that can cause very serious harm.”
Emily Calman defended her case by saying Ley 'thought he was attending an event celebrating British culture'.
Michael Whitehead, 27, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court after he was caught shouting and chanting at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed.
According to the CPS, Whitehead shouted, among other things, “You're not fit to wear the badge” at the officers and “Let's go crazy, let's go crazy” at the crowd.
Whitehead, of no fixed abode, admitted violent disorder and was jailed on Thursday.
Painter and decorator Billy Pemberton, 31, was also part of the mob that attacked the hotel where asylum seekers were staying.
Billy Pemberton, 31, (left) and Michael Whitehead, 27, (right) were both part of a mob that attacked the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham. They were both jailed today
On August 4, anti-immigration protesters attempt to enter the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, which is housing asylum seekers
The damage to the hotel was still visible the next day: windows were broken and glass was scattered across the sidewalk.
He appeared before the same court, where he was sentenced to two years and four months.
His case was adjourned from Wednesday when Sheffield registrar, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how Pemberton was part of a group who threw missiles at a small group of 'cornered' police officers outside the hotel. However, there was no evidence he threw anything at the officers himself.
The court heard he was also seen in a group chanting: “Who the f*** is Allah?”.
Pemberton admitted that he picked up a police weapon that an officer had dropped and took it from the scene.
He later took it to a cafe, where he showed off, the court heard.
Gordon Stables, defending him, said his client was “utterly devastated and remorseful” and risked losing his business, which employs three people, because of the prison sentence.
Mr Stables said Pemberton went to the hotel after seeing 'things on social media that were completely untrue, complete lies'.
He said, 'Others will suffer for his stupidity.'
Pemberton, of Rosehill Road, Rawmarsh, admitted violent disorder at an earlier hearing.