Racist jailed for rioting after Southport killings is unmasked a as paedo hunter

A self-styled paedophile hunter and ex-MMA fighter has been jailed for his role in the violent riots that erupted following the horrific Southport killings.

Phil Hoban, 48, from Leeds, was sentenced to eight months in prison for his part in the far-right unrest that took place in Leeds city centre on Saturday, August 3.

Hoban, who led a vigilante group known as Predator Exposure, claimed he was misunderstood when he was caught on video shouting what appeared to be the phrase “Who the f*** is Allah?” during a protest. Hoban insisted he was actually shouting “Who the f*** is Allen?” – a claim dismissed by the court.

READ MORE: UK’s ‘oldest rioter’ jailed after screaming ‘I’m f***ing 70 mate’ as he resisted arrest

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The protest in question turned ugly as Hoban and others were seen mocking the way Muslims pray and making racist gestures, reports Mirror.

Hoban, who was convicted last Thursday of causing racially or religiously-aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress, told cops that his actions were meant to imply that other protesters were “crybabies”. However, the judge described Hoban as “one of the leaders of your group of protesters,” underscoring his role in the disorder.

Hoban’s history as a vigilante has been well-documented. He founded Predator Exposure, a controversial group that poses as children online to expose alleged child sex offenders on camera – often in live Facebook broadcasts.

The group made headlines in 2019 when five of its members, including Hoban, were tried for false imprisonment and assault after confronting two men. They were later acquitted at trial.

Despite his criminal conviction, Hoban remains adamant he is not a racist. In a series of TikTok videos posted shortly after the riots, he attempted to apologise, stating, “I’m not racist,” and that he had grown up in a mixed-race area.

“I let a lot of people down, my Asian friends,” Hoban admitted in one video. “I shouldn’t have done what I did… I was bang out of order.” Hoban, who described his best friend as “Rashid,” confirmed he would be stepping back from his vigilante activities to “sort my head out”.

Hoban is among hundreds facing the consequences of their involvement in the disgraceful far-right riots that followed the Southport attacks. The violence – fuelled by false claims that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker – saw hotels housing refugees attacked, police officers injured and shops looted. To date, more than 70 adults have been sentenced, with over 370 adults and 65 under-18s charged.

Hoban, who lives in Beeston, Leeds, was also hit with a Criminal Behaviour Order. Also sentenced alongside Hoban was James Gettings, another protester who the court heard made offensive prayer gestures. Gettings claimed he was “praying for his country,” but the judge dismissed this as a “lie”. He too received an eight-month sentence.

Judge Guy Kearl KC, Recorder of Leeds, made it clear that the law is impartial and protects everyone, regardless of “colour, race, religion or political persuasion”. He emphasised that Hoban and Gettings’ actions were part of a protest against refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

“Philip Hoban, you climbed onto a barrier and started rubbing your lips to a person of colour,” Judge Kearl said during sentencing.

“You then started to imitate the manner in which Muslim people pray in order to mock or mimic their religion and you were chanting, ‘Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?’ You were one of the leaders of your group of protesters.”

Predator Exposure remains active, describing itself as a “child protection service”. The group, which has continued its controversial activities, declined to comment on Hoban’s actions, stating only that his behaviour was not affiliated with the organisation.

In March this year, Predator Exposure made headlines again when a 59-year-old man from Lancashire was jailed after being caught in one of the group’s stings, attempting to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl for sex.

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