Jailed, grinning riots yob who attacked hotel

THUG SENT TO PRISON FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS AS PROSECUTORS ISSUE JUSTICE IS COMING' WARNING

- ANDREW BARDSLEY & AMY WALKER

PROSECUTORS have issued a stark warning to those involved in the riots that 'justice is coming! It comes after the first man has been jailed at Manchester Crown Court following 'ugly' scenes outside a hotel in Newton Heath that was believed to be housing asylum seekers on July 31.

Grinning thug Paul Smith, 21, was part of a group who launched missiles towards the Holiday Inn hotel and the police trying to protect it.

An asylum seeker was injured by flying glass, a bus was badly damaged and its driver was punched during disgraceful scenes on July 31.

Smith, who was seen on footage throwing missiles including a bottle and part of a brick, was jailed for two years and 10 months after admitting violent disorder.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Smith was seen in footage wearing a T-shirt around his head to try and disguise his appearance. But his face had earlier been caught on camera.

"He is smiling and appears to be taking some delight from the events," prosecutor Philip Hall said.

Mr Hall told how police became aware of a 'troubling' post on Facebook, which encouraged people to gather outside the hotel. The post 'appeared to be gathering momentum, Mr Hall said.