Man jailed for posting online during public disorder
A man has become the first to be jailed for stirring up racial hatred online during the public disorder.
Jordan Parlour, 28, posted comments on Facebook advocating an attack on a hotel in Leeds where asylum seekers were housed.
The comments were reported to West Yorkshire Police and Parlour was subsequently arrested by officers.
The hotel manager put the building into lockdown on Saturday, 3 August due to the disorder in Leeds, and at least one window was broken after stones were thrown over the weekend.
There was no evidence that Parlour attended the hotel.
Parlour pleaded guilty to intending to stir up racial hatred at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.
At Leeds Crown Court today, Parlour was jailed for 20 months.
Rosemary Ainslie, Acting Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "Let me be absolutely clear, people who think they can hide behind their keyboards and stir up racial hatred should think again.
"Jordan Parlour advocated violence through his online posts and risked the safety of those staying and working at the hotel.
“He is now facing a prison sentence for his actions, and I hope this serves as a stark reminder that online actions have consequences.
"The CPS will continue to act swiftly and robustly regarding these cases and ensure those responsible for such deplorable criminality are brought to justice."
Notes to editors
- Jordan Parlour, [DOB: 06/10/1995], is of Seacroft, Leeds
- On Tuesday, 6 August, he pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour intending thereby to stir up racial hatred, or where having regard to all the circumstances, racial hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby, contrary to section 19(1) of the Public Order Act 1986.
- He was remanded in custody and was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, 9 August.