Dad blooded in Hanley riot hammer attack jailed after chucking brick at Mosque
A dad-of-three left needing six stitches after being bashed over the head in a Hanley riots hammer attack has been jailed. Ashley Morris also suffered a broken nose as violence erupted on the streets of Hanley.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 31-year-old was bare-chested because he had taken his shirt off to use it as a bandage for an injured woman.
But Morris - who has lost his job as a groundworker following the troubles - pleaded guilty to violent disorder after throwing a brick towards St John's Church which Islamic leaders want to convert into a Mosque. He has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
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A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Morris was seen on CCTV and body-worn video repeatedly trying to get past officers who were policing the violent disorder. He launched bricks and missiles at people in the area and challenged officers who were holding the line with shields."
The court heard Morris, from Knutton, had finished work and headed into Hanley 'with a curiosity to see what was going on'. He had tried to go to a shop which was closed due to the disorder.
Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said: "Ashley Morris does not hold right-wing views or beliefs. When he woke up on August 3 he had no intention of becoming involved in any protest. He admits he got caught up. He feels immense guilt and shame about the position he is in and the position he has put his family in, as they have also become victims of his offending.”
Letters supporting Morris were presented to the court. They described somebody who was 'well thought of and a good family man'.
Judge Sally Hancox added: “This other side to you makes what you involved yourself in all the sadder.”
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