Hanley Rioter Apologizes After Jail Term For Abusing Police Officers

Aaron Dring protested during the Hanley riot. He is 26 years old. Police said he sat in the road and then shouted abuse and threats at officers. Dring blocked the road when trouble began after the Southport murders.

Dring worked for Yodel. He called officers offensive names and challenged one officer to a fight on August 3 last year. He shouted, “We want our country back” and threatened to hurt an officer after a baton struck him.

Dring wrote an apology that the court read aloud. He was then sentenced to two years in jail.

Fiona Cortese, the prosecutor, told the court Dring was actively involved. Dring sat in the road, stopping police cars, and chanted, “We want our country back.”

Dring verbally abused police officers on Town Road and pushed a police shield. Missiles were thrown near him, though he did not throw them himself. Dring refused to move back when asked.

Punches were then thrown, and an officer hit someone with a baton first. Dring was then struck and threatened to hurt the officer, challenging him to a fight around the corner.

Dring admitted to violent disorder, and Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe spoke for him. Dring wrote a letter of apology, realizing his actions caused him jail time and apologizing to the police and his family.

Dring understands police were doing their jobs, but his actions prevented their work. A priest has helped him reflect while in jail, and he now knows actions cause reactions. He also tries to treat people well.

The judge stated this crime was a very foolish and serious act that could have been worse for the public. Dring takes responsibility and does not make excuses.

Dring became an equalities representative in jail and shows progress and discipline. Before jail, he sorted parcels and lived at home with his parents. He feels sorry and has hope for rehab.

Judge Graeme Smith spoke about the events, noting that officers tried to stop violence, but some protestors remained peaceful while many did not. People threw items, brandished weapons, and hurt police and the public. The violence caused fear and cost the community.

Dring never left the protest and sat down with others, blocking cars. He shouted, but this was not violent disorder. He moved to Town Road near shops, where violence broke out.

Police were there to keep order, and both protesters and police were hurt. The police did their job and needed to maintain peace.

Dring was on the front line for a while and verbally abused the police. Dring threatened officers with violence and could have left at any point.

The judge considered racial or religious hate but saw no evidence of it in Dring’s actions.