Builder with phone number on back of hi-vis easily identified at Hanley riots
Bungling builder Andrew Townley was easily identified at the Hanley riots - with his work's phone number on the back of his hi-vis jacket. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 45-year-old had no intention of going to the riots - and was instead trying to get to his mum's home on the opposite side of the police cordon.
But he was arrested at work more than a month later after trying to break through the police line. He had told police 'you have got no chance against me, no chance, any of you' before disappearing back into the crowd.
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Now Townley, of Penarth Grove, Hanley, has been jailed for 34 months after admitting violent disorder following the August 3 trouble. He was also handed an eight-month prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker which will run concurrently.
Jason Holt, mitigating, described Townley's presence as 'momentary'.
He added: “His mother relies heavily on him for things like shopping. He was concerned about her welfare and was annoyed that he had been stopped from getting through the police line to get to her. He acknowledges that he tried to walk through the police line but when he was stopped he went back into the crowd and actually found another route through. He played no other part.
“He states he has no right-wing involvement and was most upset by what he heard being said. He admits he should have removed himself from the situation. His family have lived for over 100 years in Shelton, an area which is very multi-cultural and he has no axe to grind with anyone he has lived with. He is most upset with his behaviour and how it has affected others.
“He had no weapon and threw nothing, but he accepts his behaviour was totally out of order. He is a hardworking man and is someone who volunteered at the cricket club and the local mosque.”
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