A 20-year-old man who took part in disturbances on a Bradford estate, which followed the Manningham riots last summer, has been jailed.
Brian Sellers, pictured, is the first person to appear in Court for taking part in the disturbances in Ravenscliffe on July 9.
Passing sentence at Bradford Crown Court yesterday, Judge Roger Scott told Brian Sellers that, in a way, his offence was more serious than those committed in the Manningham riots because it was "clearly planned".
Sellers, of Falkland Road, Ravenscliffe, was sentenced to 22 months in a young offenders institution after he admitted throwing stones at police officers during the 35 minutes he was on the streets of the estate.
The disturbances in Ravenscliffe took place two days after the Bradford riots which caused millions of pounds worth of damage. Sellers gave himself up to police after his photograph was published in the Telegraph & Argus last August.
The court heard how his plans to get married and start a new future had been left in ruins by his involvement.
Stephen Wood, defending, described Sellers, who had no previous convictions, as a hard-working, responsible and decent young man. He said his part in the violent clashes was entirely out of character.
"It is difficult for him now in the cold light of day to comprehend really how or why he became involved in something that was utterly foreign to him,'' said Mr Wood. But he very quickly reverted to type and, as the responsible member of the community he is, he surrendered himself to the police.
"He was frank with the police and the contrition he has expressed from first to last I hope your honour can accept as being genuine,'' added Mr Wood.
He said Sellers and his fiancee's plans for a law-abiding life together would now have to be put on hold for a considerable time. "Their plans have been laid in ruins,'' he said.
Judge Roger Scott told Sellers: "I feel very sorry for your fiancee and her mother because all your plans at least in the short term are on hold. "This was an offence which was a direct result of the Bradford riots two days before. In a way it is more serious because it was clearly planned.
"Trouble was expected and it came. The police were expecting it and it came. You joined in, I've no doubt, because you had too much alcohol on board and you were excited by the prospect of trouble - that's what the pre-sentence report says and I have absolutely no doubt it's accurate.
"I have absolutely no doubt it was a matter of 35 minutes of action by you which was entirely out of character and which you regret totally.''
Sellers pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder. Mr Wood pointed out that he had left the area before the violence escalated further that night.
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