A BRADFORD man who travelled to Manchester to take part in riots has been jailed. 

Liam Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, played an "active role in the disorder" in Piccadilly Gardens on July 31, Manchester Magistrates' Court was told during a hearing last month.

Ryan, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, appeared at Manchester Crown Court for sentencing on Friday and was jailed for 28 months. 

At the Manchester Magistrates' Court hearing last month, prosecutor Laura Peers said there had been a number of "large-scale disturbances" in Piccadilly Gardens and Ryan had travelled from West Yorkshire to take part in the disorder.

Ms Peers said a "large group of far-right protesters" were seen engaging in an "altercation with one black male", which was filmed by members of the group and uploaded on social media.

The prosecutor said the footage showed "a black male being confronted by a large group of white males".

After pleading guilty, Ryan shook and wiped away tears in the dock.

Disorder erupted in cities across the country last month after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online that the suspect was an asylum seeker.

The Government said it would do "whatever it takes" to ensure those who engaged in criminal activity were dealt with.

Some 300 people have now been sentenced for offences in connection with the riots and disorder.

The oldest person to be sentenced was William Morgan, 69, of Linton Street, Walton. He was jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon - a cosh - during unrest in Liverpool on August 3, in which police were attacked and a library was set on fire.

The youngest was a 12-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who threw stones at police after rioting erupted outside a mosque in Southport on July 31. He was given a 12-month referral order plus a three-month curfew order, while his father received a six-month parenting order.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this week, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the riots and disorder.

"Plenty of people have strong views on immigration, on crime, on the NHS and more, but they don't pick up bricks and throw them at the police," she said.

"It was arson. It was racism. It was thuggery. It was crime."