Two more men who set fire to a double-decker bus during disorder in Leeds which was sparked ‘by four Roma children being taken into care my police’ are facing jail.
Mark Mitchell, 43, and Milan Zamostny, 30, both pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
During the unrest in Harehills on July 18 – which broke out after children from a local family were allegedly taken away by social services – a patrol car was overturned and a bus set alight, as passengers were forced to flee.
Earlier this month, Iustin Dobre, 37, also pleaded guilty to one count of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered over the bus fire.
Horrifying footage that has emerged since the incident shows the men using cigarette lighters to set the bus alight.
Mark Mitchell, 43, pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered
Milan Zamostny, 30, also pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He also admitted a charge of violent disorder at an earlier hearing
Earlier this month, Iustin Dobre, 37, pleaded guilty to the same charge after he set a bus on fire during a riot in Harehills
During the disorder in Leeds last month, a double-decker bus was set on fire (pictured)
Caught on camera: Iustin Dobre filmed setting a bus on fire during a riot in Harehills
Appearing at Leeds Crown Court today, Zamostny, of Luxor Avenue, also admitted a charge of violent disorder.
Mitchell, of Strathmore View, pleaded guilty to the same charge at an earlier hearing.
Zamostny and Mitchell were remanded in custody.
All three men will be sentenced on October 1.
Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, told them it was ‘almost inevitable that an immediate custodial sentence will be passed’.
The court heard that Zamostny, who followed proceedings with the help of a Romanian interpreter, has learning difficulties and there were ‘suggestions’ he had been trafficked into the UK as a teenager.
Distressing footage which emerged shows police officers hauling a young boy out of a house and bundling him into a van. The incident is believed to have sparked the riot
All three men will be sentenced on October 1
Riots in the Harehills area of Leeds allegedly began after social services in the city removed all four children from a family
Dobre, who appeared in court earlier this month did not enter a plea for a second charge of violent disorder.
On Wednesday, Celan Valentin Palaghia, 21, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson after setting fire to furniture during the Harehills disorder.
He admitted setting fire to furniture and bins belonging to persons unknown.