Jail for man who stoked blaze during city disorder

A man who stoked a fire during disorder on the streets of Leeds last summer has been jailed for eight months.

Robert Lockwood, 59, admitted throwing items onto the blaze - including a bicycle, a sandbag and a roll of carpet - in Harehills on 18 July.

Lockwood, of Brecon Approach, Gipton, had previously denied arson, but changed his plea to guilty at a hearing in February.

Jailing him at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, the judge told Lockwood: "Anyone who involves themselves in events like these which lead to anarchy on the streets of Leeds can expect to go to prison."

The court had heard how Lockwood was a functioning alcoholic who had 13 previous convictions for 18 offences, including criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly.

However, Lockwood's barrister said his last conviction was in 2014 and he had since lived a quiet life and had struggled with self-harm and poor self-image.

The court heard the disorder was sparked by four children being taken into care from an address in Luxor Street.

Within a few hours, there were more than 100 people on the streets, lighting fires and throwing missiles.

As well as a van being set alight, a police car was tipped over and a bus was torched during the disorder.

After his arrest on 26 July, Lockwood denied involvement in the disorder and told police he had instead been diverting traffic.

Sentencing him, the judge told Lockwood the disorder was "terrifying for the residents and the police who were under a sustained attack from the crowd".

"You were fuelling a fire, which fuelled this disorder," he said.

"You were arrested on 26 July. You lied and said you were diverting traffic. You eventually saw sense and pleaded guilty.

"The arson guideline applies, as you persisted. You went back even after police had intervened."

The judge said Lockwood's act "was not impulsive, but there was no intention to cause very serious damage".

There were cries of protest from the public gallery as Lockwood was sentenced to eight months in jail.

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