Man Jailed for Violent Disorder After Racially Questioning Drivers During Riot

Jake Wray, 23, received a prison sentence for violent disorder. This individual had stopped drivers to ascertain their race during a riot. He pleaded guilty to the charge, which stemmed from incidents in Middlesbrough on 4 August. These incidents included an attempt to ignite a vehicle, uttering racist chants, and propelling a burning wheelie bin towards police formations. Teesside Crown Court was informed that Wray was already subject to a 24-week suspended sentence at the time of the offense, issued for spitting at a police officer and possessing a knife. Judge Richard Bennett imposed a sentence of three years and two months on Wray, stating that his conduct “was disgraceful and in no way reflects the values of the decent people of Middlesbrough”. The judge characterized the 23-year-old’s criminal actions as violent and “overtly racist”. Mobile phone footage captured Wray, dressed in a red top with an England flag draped over his shoulders, halting vehicles at a town centre junction and inquiring about drivers’ skin color. The court was shown this clip, in which Wray, obstructing traffic, was audible asking: “Are you white, are you English?” Additional video evidence depicted him igniting a wheelie bin, which was then propelled towards police lines. Helicopter footage also recorded him interacting with a red car that subsequently caught fire minutes later. Wray initially informed police he was only stopping cars to issue warnings to drivers, but he later retracted this statement. Judge Bennett remarked: “You were clearly enjoying the attention and power of being masked during a frightening event for those drivers.” Harry Crowson, representing Wray, stated that his client initially denied a racial motivation for stopping the vehicles “out of embarrassment and shame”. Mr. Crowson mentioned that Wray, residing on Seaton Street in the town, had viewed the video clips numerous times in court across multiple hearings, adding: “In the cold light of day, he doesn’t even believe the things that came out of his mouth that day.” He further stated, “He is quite appalled by it.” Wray’s partner and her mother have also received prison sentences for violent disorder. Clarification 20 November 2024: The initial headline of this article indicated that Jake Wray had been jailed for inquiring if drivers were ‘white.’ The headline and introduction have since been revised to specify that his imprisonment was for the offense of violent disorder, an event during which he also obstructed traffic and interrogated drivers. For updates, follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.