Hartlepool teenager spouting racist abuse locked up

Evan Wilkins-Doyle was recorded standing on a wall making a 20-second diatribe denouncing the influence of Islam and urging protesters ‘not to take a step backwards as they were confronted by police.

The 19-year-old urged the protesters in Hartlepool to ’go forward’ as tensions rose in the town centre days after young girls were stabbed to death in Southport.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the teenager, who was medically discharged from the Army, didn’t partake in any of the resulting violence that erupted in the area.

Rioting in Hartlepool on July 31 this year. (Image: Newsquest)

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: “In terms of the defendant, he can be seen to be part of a large group facing a police line, there is some shouting and missiles are thrown by others.

“The defendant can be seen standing on a wall where he can be heard shouting abuse.

“The words are said to be ‘don’t take any steps back, go forward. These people represent Islam and every step forward for you, they will take backwards. Islam is getting further and further into our f****** country, don’t let them take more land off us than they have’.”

The court heard how the teenager had never been in trouble with the police before and handed himself in following the rioting.

Evan Wilkins-Doyle (Image: Cleveland Police)

Wilkins-Doyle, of The Spinney, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the events of July 31 in Hartlepool.

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said his client had acted completely out of character that day and could not explain the reasoning behind his monologue which had left him feeling disgusted and ashamed of his actions.

He said: “This defendant made a speech for about 20 seconds, got off the wall and there didn’t appear to be any discernible reaction from those who had stood and listened to him.”

Mr Constantine told the judge that the teenager had volunteered in his local community and was highly regarded by people who knew him.

He added: “You could be forgiven for wondering how is it that for 20 seconds on this day, he could climb on the wall and say the things he said.

“It would appear to be entirely at odds with the way that he has presented himself throughout the rest of his life.

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“It is impossible to explain, his family is unable to explain it and they are as astonished as anybody else who has watched the footage.”

Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced the teenager to 14-months in a young offenders’ institute.

“You didn’t throw any missiles yourself; you didn’t personally show any aggression towards the police and although your words were intended to incite others, they did not directly incite others to violence,” he said.

“From what I have read about you, there is a very positive aspect to your character.”