Jordan Parlour Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison by Judge Guy Kearl for Inciting Violence Against Migrants at Leeds’ Britannia Hotel Through Facebook Posts
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 9:31PM GMT Fri, 9August, 2024
In a landmark case highlighting the impact of social media on public safety, Jordan Parlour has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for his inflammatory Facebook posts encouraging violence against a hotel housing migrants in Leeds. This case marks the first prosecution related to criminal messages inciting violence through social media in the UK.
On August 4, 2024, Jordan Parlour, 28, from Seacroft, made a series of provocative Facebook posts with the intent of stoking violence during a period of heightened anti-immigration sentiment. The posts, which targeted the Britannia Hotel in Seacroft, where over 200 migrants were residing, were intended to exploit the ongoing national demonstrations against immigration policies.
Details of the Case:
Parlour’s posts, which were made on a Sunday morning, suggested that “every man and his dog” should attack the Britannia Hotel. He also accused migrants of receiving undeserved benefits, expressing a belief that these resources should be better allocated. The posts attracted immediate concern as they coincided with reported damage to the hotel’s windows and a subsequent lockdown to protect residents.
During proceedings at Leeds Crown Court, Prosecutor Matthew Donkin revealed that the posts led to significant security concerns. West Yorkshire Police responded with a substantial presence, deploying five units and conducting reassurance patrols throughout the night and following day. Parlour was arrested early on Monday morning, during which he admitted his actions and expressed remorse for the potential to incite further violence.
Nicholas Hammond, Parlour’s defense attorney, argued that his client, who had a broken foot and was not affiliated with any political group, had no intention of engaging in violence. Hammond described the posts as “stupid and irresponsible” and presented a character reference from Parlour’s mother, suggesting that he had been overwhelmed by national tensions.
Court’s Verdict and Impact:
Judge Guy Kearl, the Recorder of Leeds, emphasized the gravity of Parlour’s actions, highlighting the deliberate attempt to incite violence against vulnerable individuals. The judge noted the aggravating factor of the timing of the posts, which were made during a period of significant social unrest. As a result, a custodial sentence was deemed necessary, with Parlour required to serve half of his sentence in custody.
The manager of the Britannia Hotel reported increased anxiety and stress among staff, who have had to implement enhanced security measures since the incident. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of using social media to spread hate and incite violence.
For further reading on similar cases and their impacts on public safety, visit BBC News and The Guardian.
Hashtags: #JordanParlour #LeedsCrownCourt #SocialMediaViolence #HateCrimes
