First armchair thug who stirred up hatred on TIKTOK facing jail – as dozens in court over their part in violent rioting
String of rioters have been jailed after widespread violence erupted across UK
AN ARMCHAIR thug who stirred up racial hatred on TikTok is among dozens in court over their part in violent riots.
James Aspin, 34, today became the first person to be charged with using TikTok to call for violence.
He posted a video that was intended to “stir up racial hatred”, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Aspin, of Blyth, Northumberland, admitted the offence when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court today.
A string of people have been hauled before the courts after calling for carnage on social media.
As of Monday, 975 people had been arrested and 546 had been charged, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said.
The Prime Minister has vowed to keep hunting down racist keyboard warriors as calls grew for a crackdown on chiefs letting hate run rampant online.
Asylum seeker Dimitrie Stoica has been jailed for three months after sharing a TikTok video falsely claiming he was being chased during the riots.
The 35-year-old Romanian posted the livestream to 700 people, claiming: “I am running bro because they are running after me. They’re coming. Everyone get back.”
The court heard it was a deliberate attempt to “stir up racial hatred”.
It comes as a 12-year-old boy attacked police and a bus full of passengers before joining a second riot three days later.
The youngster — branded Britain’s worst rioter — was seen handing rocks to yobs outside a hotel housing asylum seekers and hurling stones at cops.
He also stood in front of a bus to get it to stop and attacked it as it drove past.
Three days later, he was seen wearing a balaclava while throwing more objects at officers and joining looters. District Judge Joanne Hirst told him he would face “consequences”.
And she told his mum: “He’s more involved in the violence and disorder than any other defendant I’ve seen coming through these courts, adult or child.”
Speaking to the boy at Manchester magistrates’ court, she said: “You have gone out not once but twice.
“You are the first person I have dealt with to have been involved in two. It’s time to stop letting your mum down now.
“You are to do one thing — do as you’re told.”
He joined the Manchester riot on July 31 — and on August 3 was in more city centre disorder.
CCTV caught him smashing a vape shop’s windows and with a crowd of looters outside a Sainsbury’s before throwing a missile at cops.
His lawyer said the lad accepted “full responsibility” and is “absolutely ashamed”.
His tearful mum told the court she was “very worried” about his behaviour.
The boy was remanded to local authority care until sentencing on September 2.
Meanwhile, one 12-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was caught on CCTV throwing an object at police during unrest in Southport.
He admitted violent disorder at Liverpool Youth Court.
It comes as a teen who celebrated after pelting police with bricks was also sentenced.
Cole Stewart, 18, is among the latest rioters to be jailed after violence flared across the UK.
The widespread violence came after Bebe King, six, nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed in Southport on July 29.
Posts wrongly claimed suspect Axel Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker when he was actually born in Cardiff and raised Christian.
Police have so far arrested 779 people, with 349 of those charged, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said.
Stewart was captured celebrating while pelting police with bricks in Darlington.
One of the bricks hit a brave riot cop who had been deployed to calm tensions, while others were hurled at a mosque.
Stewart had the smile wiped off his face after he was arrested and was seen whining “I’m a child, I’m a child” as cops led him away.
He was detained for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Ryan Wheatley was jailed for 12 months after running into a police officer during an anti-immigration protest in Southampton.
Wheatley was wearing a mask with anEngland flag draped over his shoulder.
And when the planned demonstration was thwarted by around 400 people who chanted “racists go home”, Wheatley ran towards the crowd, who at the time had no police protection.
He then “barrelled” into Sgt Rob Perry, who used an incapacitant spray before arresting him.
Ricky Hardman was also sentenced today for his part in the mass carnage.
The 41-year-old dad took part in a huge protest at a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, which is believed to have been housing up to 200 asylum seekers.
Cops were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs during the horror on August 4 – with more than 50 officers injured.
Hardman was jailed for two years and eight months after he was seen brandishing a piece of wood during the disorder.
The dad was also seen attacking a police dog van along with a group of other thugs.
So far, 13 people have appeared in court over the hotel riot after masked yobs descended on the building.
The mob forced their way past cops after hurling glass bottles, bricks and fence panels.
A towering blaze then broke out as the group of 700 protesters chanted: “Get them out.”
Police have launched a huge crackdown following the two weeks of unrest across Britain.
Harsh sentences have been handed out to agitators after officials pledged to catch those responsible.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has deployed a “standing army” of around 6,000 officers who remain on stand-by.
He has also cancelled his holiday this week after warning police to remain on “high alert” amid fears of more trouble.
