A man has been spared jail after he threw a brick defending a mosque during last year's riots.
Ibrahim Mir, of Barnett Drive, Cobridge, had thrown the brick into the road before it hit the metal railing in the central reservation near Town Road in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
Mir was wearing a balaclava when he was caught on CCTV near his mosque in the city centre, reports Stoke-on-TrentLive.
In the footage shown to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, he could be seen tossing the item aside but not in the direction of any members of the public or police officers, before "running off" with a group of males.
Ibrahim Mir has been described as being 'of good character'PA/Staffordshire PoliceMir handed himself into police on September 28, 56 days after the riot on August 3, which broke out after the murders in Southport. He went on to plead guilty to violent disorder.
Mir, who has been described as being a member of the 'opposing group', has been sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, for his role in the day which has seen multiple other rioters locked up.
Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said the university student has been on bail since last month after handing himself in nearly five months ago.
Martin Bloor, mitigating, said: "Prior to August 3 last year, the defendant led a law-abiding lifestyle. He was about to commence his third year at university, and he was working part-time."
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Bloor added: "He has a very good and supportive family who have supported him on remand in custody and while on bail last month. His brother is very ill, and Mr Mir has taken blood tests last week to see if he is a matching blood type to help with his brother’s illness. He is supporting his brother coming to terms with the diagnosis.
“He regrets his actions on this day and knows his behaviour was inappropriate and he shouldn’t have got involved. He attended the area on a peaceful basis, he did not intend to get into any physical altercations, although having the balaclava suggests some involvement."
Judge Graeme Smith told the defendant: "On July 29 in Southport there was an attack at a dance school where three girls were murdered and others were injured. An 18-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for 52 years for the murders and attempted murders.
"Unfortunately misinformation spread online about the attacker regarding his religion, race and immigration status. A number of violent protests broke out throughout the country, including the protests in Hanley ."
Judge Smith continued: "This protest was met by opposing groups and you were a member of that opposing group. Anyone is allowed to express their opinion through public protests and petitions, but that doesn't include violence.
"The disorder took place in several locations but mainly Town Road near a mosque which you attend. It was a Saturday where members of the public will have been out trying to enjoy their time. There was substantial police presence to keep the groups apart.
"You were wearing a balaclava - a futile attempt to disguise yourself, if that’s what you were trying to do.
"I am told of your good character, and you are relatively young. You have a caring role for your brother in illness. You are a hard worker. There was a very limited nature of your involvement compared to everyone else I’ve sentenced. I hope your progress will be positive and I haven’t made the wrong decision."
