Yahoo News Former EDL member who shouted abuse at Mosque during Sunderland riot locked up
A man who shouted abuse towards a mosque during the Sunderland riot has been locked up.
David Hann was present at various locations during the widespread disorder in Sunderland city centre. The 58-year-old was gesticulating towards police officers and shouting racist abuse while outside a mosque.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how he was shouting in the direction of the mosque "Dirty Muslims", "Murdering b*******", while he also made comments about Mohammed during the disorder on August 2.
Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, told the court that, when he was arrested on April 15, he said he was aggravated at the time due to the tactics of the police.
Hann said the only thing he said was "murdering b*******", in relation to the deaths of three young children in Southport, and denied making the other comments. He said he said nothing about race or religion.
The court heard how officers were subjected to a serious level of violence as well as abuse during the disorder in Sunderland. A police hub was set on fire and seven police vehicles were vandalised. Businesses belonging to hardworking members of the community were also damaged and premises were looted.
In a statement read to the court, the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police Vanessa Jardine says the disorder has already cost Northumbria Police over £1 million.
Hann, of Ryhope Street South, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated threatening behaviour.
Nick Murhy, defending, told the court that he was a member of the English Defence League (EDL) and has been on previous marches but no longer participates.
He said Hann did not participate directly in the violence but his actions contributed to the atmosphere. He said his offending took place over a short period of time and the words spoken were about one minute long. He said: "I accept he is present at different locations."
Mr Murhy said Hann described being "too old for this" and said, in the pre-sentence report, that with hindsight, he would not have participated in this disorder in the way that he did.
He added that he had managed to stay out of trouble for about six years between 2018 and 2024.
The Recorder of Newcastle, Judge Paul Sloan KC, told Hann that he took into account his learning difficulties and the fact he suffered from depression.
He said he accepted that he was remorseful but that the offence was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.
The judge sentenced Hann to eight months in prison.
