“Most famous rioter” receives long prison sentence

A rioter who wore a T-shirt with the St George's Cross while looting several shops in Hull has been sentenced to one of the longest prison sentences in connection with the recent unrest.

John Honey, 25, was seen carrying bags of cosmetics out of the Lush store when it was looted on August 3. He also stole goods from O2 and Shoezone stores before robbing a car carrying three Romanian men.

As Hull Crown Court heard, Honey also attacked a garage, damaging nine vehicles and throwing rubbish bins at police.

The 25-year-old played a “prominent role” in the 12 hours of violence and unrest that gripped the city and wore a “distinctive” T-shirt with the English flag, prosecutors said.

Honey, of Park Grove, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and three counts of burglary.

He also admitted to damaging the BMW for racist reasons and damaging the vehicles in the workshop.

A sentencing hearing earlier this week was adjourned after a prison probation officer said Honey had asked him “if he wanted his autograph because he was famous”. The court said this may have undermined Honey's claim that he was showing “genuine remorse”.

But after hearing that Honey had developmental problems due to his “difficult start in life”, Judge John Thackray KC said his alleged remark “did not have the significance it otherwise would”.