Rioting thug who launched racist assault on lone Black man is jailed

A rioting thug who launched a vile racist attack on a lone black man has been jailed after the father-of-two claimed he thought he was joining a rally to ‘celebrate British culture’. 

Joseph Ley, 30, was ‘motivated by racial hatred’ when he kicked and punched the man in the face during a far-right demonstration in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. 

The yob launched into his vile assault and asked him ‘you got a problem with us English, bro?’ before he was egged on by the crowd of louts to ‘kill him’ and ‘stamp on his f***ing face’. 

He today appeared at Manchester Crown Court where he was handed a three year and two months jail term as a judge told him as he sent him down: ‘You are a violent racist offender.’

Ley, of Hardman Street, Stockport, was sentenced after admitting violent disorder and being in possession of an offensive weapon – an extendable baton – that 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 Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on August 3

He was today jailed for more than three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder and being in possession of an offensive weapon (Pictured: Police on horseback and foot patrol the streets in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3)

He was given a sentence of two months, to run concurrently, for possession of an offensive weapon charge. 

Prosecutor Philip Hall said footage obtained by police showed ‘a black male being confronted by a group of white males’ in the city centre.

Mr Hall said the attack was ‘motivated by racial hatred’ and Ley was the ‘first to instigate physical violence’ against the man, punching and kicking him in the face.

Ley was heard on footage saying: ‘You got a problem with us English, bro?’.

In the footage, members of the crowd can also be heard shouting ‘kill him’ and ‘stamp on his f****** face’.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge John Potter told Ley: ‘Your actions in Piccadilly Gardens amounted to nothing more or less than mindless violence inspired by your bigoted and racist views.

‘You took a leading role in the attack – being the first person who instigated any violence.

‘You are a violent racist offender who has access to weapons capable of causing very serious harm.’

Defending, Emily Calman said Ley had ‘thought he was attending an event to celebrate British culture’.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Michael Whitehead, 27, was jailed for two years and eight months after he was spotted shouting and chanting at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed.

According to the CPS, Whitehead’s chants included ‘You’re not fit to wear the badge’ to the officers and ‘Let’s go f****** mental, let’s go f****** mental’ to the mob.

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 housing asylum seekers. 

 Billy Pemberton, 31, (left) and Michael Whitehead, 27, (right) both were part of a mob that attacked the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham. They were both jailed today 

Anti-migration protesters attempt to enter the Holiday Inn Express Hotel on August 4 which is housing asylum seekers 

The damage to the hotel could be seen the day after with windows smashed and shattered glass scattered over the pavement 

He appeared at the same court where he was given a sentence of two years and four months.

His case had been adjourned from Wednesday when the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how Pemberton was part of a group that was throwing missiles at a small group of ‘cornered’ police outside the hotel, but there was no evidence he threw anything at the officers himself.

The court heard he was also spotted in a group that was chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah?’.

Pemberton admitted picking up a police baton, dropped by an officer, and taking it away from the scene.

He later took it to a pub where he boasted about it, the court heard.

Gordon Stables, defending, said his client is ‘utterly dejected and remorseful’ and facing losing his business, which employs three people, due to the prison sentence.

Mr Stables said Pemberton went to the hotel after ‘seeing things on social media that were completely and utterly untrue, complete lies’.

He said: ‘Others will suffer due to his stupidity.’

Pemberton, of Rosehill Road, Rawmarsh, admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing.