Two men have been sentenced to a combined total of five years for their involvement in publishing Facebook posts that aimed to incite racial hatred and called for the destruction of a hotel housing 200 asylum seekers in Leeds during recent UK riots.
Jordan Parlour, 28, from Brooklands Close, Leeds, appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Friday.
He was convicted of publishing material designed to stir racial hatred related to the Britannia Hotel in Seacroft, which shelters refugees and asylum seekers. Parlour received a 20-month prison sentence.
Tyler Kay, a company director, was sentenced to 38 months at Northampton Crown Court for amplifying hateful anti-immigrant comments originally posted by the wife of a Tory councillor.
Despite boasting online that he would not be arrested, Kay was convicted after reposting inflammatory content and encouraging violence against immigration solicitors in Northampton.
Prosecutor Matthew Donkin revealed that between August 2 and August 3, hotel staff reported vandalism including stones thrown and windows damaged. Kay also shared posts advocating for organized protests in Northampton.
The prosecution outlined that these incidents followed public disorder in various UK cities, including Southport, Manchester, Hartlepool, Aldershot, and London.
Kay’s online posts had received several likes, and one response claimed that action was futile since “we’re the minority now”.
Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, noted that Parlour’s posts had spread widely, reflecting his clear intent.
When questioned about his motivation for encouraging the attack on the hotel, Parlour claimed it was out of frustration over the perceived misuse of taxpayer money.
He admitted writing the posts in a fit of anger and acknowledged the foolishness of his actions, expressing regret for his comments that vilified asylum seekers.
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