Man admits to looting and violent disorder during riot

A man who looted a cosmetics store, a phone shop and a shoe outlet and damaged cars during riots in Hull while wearing a shirt emblazoned with the England flag admitted his actions in court yesterday.

- JOE MIDDLETON

John Honey, 25, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and three charges of burglary at Lush, the O2 store and Shoezone in the city on 3 August.

Honey also took part in an attack on a BMW carrying three Romanian men, targeted a garage leaving nine vehicles damaged, and pushed bins at police lines during the violence. He became one of the most notorious looters on social media after videos and pictures showed him embracing the chaotic scenes and brazenly entering various stores during the riots in Hull that left 11 police officers injured.

His distinctive St George’s Cross rugby shirt and lack of any face covering or disguise meant that he was easily identifiable.

Honey’s sentencing yesterday was delayed after claims he had asked a prison probation officer “if he wanted his autograph” and while in remand appeared to be an “overconfident individual who presented with no remorse”. He also allegedly told the court employee he “went into Greggs to have a drink as the pepper spray made him thirsty”.

Hull Crown Court heard that the disorder started when rioters gathered outside a hotel known to house asylum seekers and subjected police to a “barrage of verbal and physical threats” while chanting racist slogans. Honey was at the front of the group and was captured on footage throwing a missile at police and pushing a large wheelie bin at them.