A borough man who threw a brick at a bus driver as he took part in violent disorder outside a hotel in Manchester earlier this year has been jailed.

Jack Cregan appeared at Manchester Crown Court today (Friday, November 15) having previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and violent disorder.

Duncan Wilcock, prosecuting, told the court that on Wednesday, July 31, Cregan, 32 was part of a large group of people who took part in violent disorder outside the Holiday Inn hotel on Oldham Road, Newton Heath, which was housing asylum seekers.

During the violent disorder, which took place in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings on July 29, racist abuse was aimed at the occupants of the hotel and missiles were thrown.

Footage played to the court showed Cregan, who was wearing a face covering, at one point approaching police officers and shouting "come on".

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More footage was then played which was taken from the cameras of a bus being driven close to the hotel, which showed some people kicking the bus as it travelled by slowly.

One angle showed Cregan, of Argyll Close, Failsworth, walking past the driver's window and throwing a brick, which hit the driver in the shoulder.

The driver then asked the people on the bus if they were ok before he "bravely chaperoned his passengers towards the police line", according to Mr Wilcock.

The driver needed to attend Royal Oldham Hospital for treatment and was left with soreness and bruising to his shoulder.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court on the victim's behalf, he said he had "never experienced such aggression and violence" during his 14 years as a bus driver and that the incident had been "frightening and scary".

Jack CreganJack Cregan (Image: GMP)

The court heard the driver was suffering from the psychological impact of the incident, which had caused him depression and anxiety.

Judge Patrick Field KC praised the driver, describing him as a "brave and considerate man".

Mr Wilcock also told the court that an examination of Cregan's phone showed he was fully aware of the reason people were gathering outside the hotel and that he had confirmed he would be attending.

James Hudson, defending, told the court that Cregan, who had 16 previous convictions for 25 offences, recognised his role in the "mindless violence" was "awful".

Mr Hudson added that Cregan, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the violent disorder, was "truly ashamed of his behaviour that day" and that he had been "brainwashed" by misinformation online.

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When passing sentence, Judge Field said to Cregan: "Your behaviour was deplorable and unacceptable.

"It's difficult to fathom the stupidity and ignorance that led you to do what you did."

Judge Field sentenced Cregan to 30 months in prison.