A man who wore a balaclava and carried a crate of beer to a disturbance outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been sentenced to prison. Ryan Leckey, 24, was part of a large group that gathered outside a hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester on July 31. During the incident, he was seen throwing an object at the building while others hurled insults at the occupants and the police. After the chaos, Leckey was spotted celebrating in a nearby pub, where he was caught on CCTV removing his balaclava.
In a court hearing at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that during the same disturbance, 42-year-old Darren Butler threatened a police officer, making violent remarks and accusing the authorities of protecting wrongdoers. Both Leckey and Butler pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder. The unrest stemmed from false online claims about the tragic deaths of three children in Southport, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Prosecutor Kate Gaskell informed the court that officers had been called to the hotel due to reports of a growing crowd and racist slurs being shouted. Various items such as eggs, bottles, and bricks were thrown during the confrontation. Leckey, a resident of Newton Heath, was captured on police bodycam carrying a large box of beer and seen throwing objects towards the hotel before moving to a nearby pub to celebrate, where he removed his balaclava.
In their defence, Leckey, who had no prior convictions, expressed deep remorse through his lawyer, Rebecca Filletti. Leckey’s parents, who were on holiday at the time, had previously expressed concerns about his choice of friends. Butler, who hails from Oldham and has a history of convictions, confronted officers during the disturbance with menacing language and accusations.
At the sentencing, Judge Alan Conrad KC emphasised the need for serious punishment for such behaviour in society. Leckey was sentenced to 16 months in prison, while Butler received a 17-month sentence. Both are expected to serve half of their terms before release on licence. This incident serves as a reminder of the repercussions individuals face for engaging in violent disorder and making threatening remarks towards law enforcement.