Hecklers shouted at a judge that he was a “scumbag” and “should be done for treason”, as he jailed a convicted West Ham football hooligan for involvement in the recent London riots.
Jack Wood, 29, of Lakeside in Rainham, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder at Inner London Crown Court, Southwark, on Friday, September 6.
The charge said he had “used or threatened unlawful behaviour” near Downing Street, Westminster, on July 31.
But as he was sent down for 13 months, supporters shouted “witch hunt” and “political” from the public gallery.
“F***ing scumbags, the lot of you,” one called out.
Another yelled: “You should all be done for treason.”
Judge Benedict Kelleher passed the sentence after watching video footage of Wood’s involvement in the violent disorder, then his arrest.
When one man pushed towards the police line, said the judge, Wood could be seen pushing behind him.
“You can be seen pushing towards the [police] line yourself,” the judge said.
“You’re then seen and heard shouting general abuse towards the police in an aggressive way, with others doing the same.”
Prosecutor Gregor McKinley told Judge Kelleher that Wood had a series of prior convictions.
In 2020, he was convicted of a Section 5 public order offence for shouting homophobic slurs at a West Ham match, and slapped with a three-year football banning order.
He breached that order in February 2023, when he was also caught in possession of a flare, then again in September 2023.
In the meantime, he had also been convicted of possessing drugs.
Judge Kelleher called Wood “someone with some history of engaging in disorder or potential disorder,” which he described as “an aggravating feature”.
Defence barrister James Manning said his client had “a minor or peripheral role with low-level involvement” which “arose without any premeditation”.
He claimed Wood had been out to buy meat and happened upon the demonstration on his way home.
Judge Kelleher said that was “not the strongest point”, since Wood lived in Rainham and the disorder had occurred outside Downing Street.
Mr Manning said he was merely relaying his client's instructions.
He added that video footage showed Wood being “very compliant” and “very cooperative with the police” during his arrest at the scene.
“I would have gone home,” Wood pleaded with officers as they arrested him.
He was re-arrested on August 9, gave a no-comment interview and pleaded not guilty at magistrates’ court.
Mr Manning contended that by changing his plea to guilty at the crown court, “He has demonstrated his regret and remorse and has asked me to communicate to you that he is sorry for his involvement.”
He said Wood was the sole carer to his mother, who has fibromyalgia, and his uncle.
Judge Kelleher said Wood would have received 18 months if he had been convicted by a jury, but he reduced the sentence to 13 months in light of his guilty plea.
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