'Immature' mum sentenced for role in violent disorder

Nevey Smith, of West Street, Failsworth, appeared at Manchester Crown Court today (Monday, September 23) having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Philip Hall, prosecuting, told the court that on July 31 this year, a group of people gathered outside a hotel in Newton Heath, which was being used to accommodate asylum seekers.

During the violent disorder, racist abuse was aimed at the occupants of the hotel and missiles were thrown.

A video played in court showed Smith, 21, running and throwing liquid, which was said to be water, from a bottle towards police officers and people being escorted into the hotel.

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Mr Hall said there were pictures which showed Smith at the scene with a stroller which was occupied by her young child.

Another video filmed from a helicopter on July 31 showed police arresting a man while Smith watched on, at points facing the stroller with her child towards the arrest.

Mr Hall said on August 10, Smith handed herself in to police and two days later at Manchester Magistrates' Court, she pleaded guilty.

READ MORE: Man jailed for 'unprovoked' attack on a bench in Oldham

Dan Calder, defending, said that the single mother had no previous convictions and was a woman of good character.

He told the court that on July 31, Smith had been with her mother Vanessa, who was present in court, and the pair were going to Smith's grandmother's when they saw the large group.

Mr Calder said the mother and daughter recognised some people taking part in the disorder and "foolishly" got involved, saying Smith "allowed herself to get drawn in".

Vanessa Smith, 42,  is due to be sentenced for violent disorder later this week.

Vanessa Smith attended her daughter's sentencing (Image: GMP)

According to a pre-sentence report prepared ahead of the sentencing, Smith did not know what the term "asylum seeker" meant and did not attend the disorder for any reason in particular.

When passing sentence, Judge Patrick Field KC said he found it "extraordinary" that Smith had brought her child to the disorder, asking: "What on earth were you thinking?"

Continuing to address Smith, Judge Field said: "You have quite a lot to learn and quite a lot of growing up to do."

He said Smith got involved because she was "misguided, naive and immature", accepting that there was no evidence her involvement was motivated by racism and that her part in the disorder was "minimal".

He spared Smith a jail sentence, instead handing her a community order which requires her to attend reviews at a women’s problem-solving court, attend up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Smith thanked the judge as she left the dock.