Judge slams mum, 21, with baby in a pram for 'extraordinary' decision

A mum was blasted by a judge over her "extraordinary" decision to join in with a riot while she was pushing her child in a pram. Nevey Smith, 21, was caught on camera when she threw water at police and asylum seekers after a "protest" outside a hotel.

Bricks and bottles were some of the missiles thrown at police as they protected a building on Oldham Road in Newton Heath in north Manchester on July 31 which was being used to house asylum seekers. Smith, who was not involved in violence, was found to have thrown water towards officers and asylum seekers who were being escorted inside.

But Judge Patrick Field KC described the circumstances as "extraordinary and concerning" as the single mum attended the incident with her 20-month-old son.

READ MORE: Paddy the Baddy says ‘you never know’ as he shares family update

READ MORE: Stabbed schoolboy begged 'don't let me die' as he bled to death in London street

“What on earth were you thinking?,” he said, addressing Smith as he sentenced her at Manchester Crown Court, the Manchester Evening News reports. “I doubt very much you had his safety and wellbeing in mind.

“That aspect of the case and indeed other aspects of the case show you have quite a lot to learn and quite a lot of growing up to do,” he told Smith. Her sentencing hearing heard that when questioned, she said she didn’t understand what an asylum seeker was.

The judge said there was no evidence she was motivated by ‘racism’. “I conclude without hesitation that you became involved because you were misguided, naïve and immature,” Judge Field said.

Phillip Hall, prosecuting, told how a group of people had gathered outside the hotel after a "protest" had been advertised on Facebook. During the shocking disorder, a bus was attacked and an asylum seeker being escorted into the hotel was injured by flying glass. Mr Hall said Smith was seen as part of the group and threw liquid towards police officers and hotel residents being escorted inside.

Further footage from a police helicopter showed Smith pushing her pram while a man was taken to the ground and arrested by three officers. Smith handed herself in to police on August 10, and she later pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Daniel Calder, defending, said that Smith had not set out to attend the protest that day. He said she "foolishly" decided to get involved after recognising some people who were there.

Mr Calder said that when she was questioned later, Smith "didn’t even know what the term asylum seeker meant". He argued that Smith had ‘strong personal mitigation’, and said that her being jailed would have a ‘significant harmful impact’ on her son.

Ruling that her involvement in the disorder was "minimal and peripheral", the judge sentenced Smith, of West Street, Failsworth, to a 12 month community order. She must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, attend a women’s problem solving court and complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.