Rioter who used England flag as a mask jailed after stopping drivers to 'check if they were white'
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A Middlesbrough rioter who used the English flag as a mask has been jailed after he stopped drivers to "check if they were white".
Jake Wray, 24, has admitted that he tried to set a car on fire, made racist chants and pushed a burning wheelie bin into a line of police officers at an anti-immigration protest on August 4.
With an England flag draped across his shoulders, the 24-year-old wore a bright red top, stopping vehicles in the town centre asking drivers if they were white.
In a video clip which was shown to the court, Wray blocked traffic and could be heard asking: "Are you white? Are you English?"
In a video clip which was shown to the court, Wray blocked traffic and could be heard asking: "Are you white? Are you English?"
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The clip was so shocking that it was broadcast on national television, the judge said.
Several other clips showed the man setting a wheelie bin ablaze, pushing it towards police officers, while another helicopter video showed a car catch fire just moments after Wray was seen interacting with the vehicle.
While Wray originally insisted that he was warning the cars, he changed his story.
Consequently, the arsonist was jailed for 38 months for violent disorder.
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Speaking to the rioter at his sentencing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Richard Bennett said: "(Your) behaviour was disgraceful and in no way reflects the values of the decent people of Middlesbrough."
Judge Bennett also claimed that Wray’s behaviour was "overtly racist", violent and included arson.
He added: "You were clearly enjoying the attention and power of being masked during a frightening event for those drivers."
Another clip showed the 24-year-old using the flag as a mask over his mouth, saying: "You can stick you chicken tikka up your a***. Tee-Tee-Teessiders."
In addition to Wray, his partner and her mother have been handed jail sentences for violent disorder
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In addition to Wray, his partner and her mother have been handed jail sentences for violent disorder.
Defence Harry Crowson claimed that Wray originally denied that his actions were racially motivated “out of embarrassment and shame”.
However, after his client reviewed the clips that had been shown to the court, he added: "In the cold light of day, he doesn’t even believe the things that came out of his mouth that day.
"He is quite appalled by it."
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