Livestream yob admits stirring up racial hatred

A MAN who caused terror when he livestreamed an asylum seeker hotel has admitting stirring up racial hatred, as more people accused over the unrest in Greater Manchester appeared in court.

- AMY WALKER & JOHN SCHEERHOUT

Aaron Johnson, 32, was among a tranche of suspects who appeared at Manchester and Salford magistrates court yesterday following the unrest which took place in Bolton and Manchester city centre over the weekend.

Disorder hit towns and cities across the country, including in Greater Manchester, followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport last week.

Incorrect rumours - that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat - spread on social media and appears to have fuelled the unrest.

Johnson, of Criterion Street, North Reddish, Stockport, pleaded guilty to an offence of distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred, contrary to the Public Order Act when he appeared at the court.

It was heard that on August 5 Johnson attended outside a hotel in Stockport where it is believed asylum seekers were staying. Members of staff became aware of his presence, and it later became clear that he was livestreaming on YouTube.