Missile-throwing man now facing deportation

Counter-protester 'was defending mosque'

- Sentinel Reporter

A COUNTER-protester has been jailed after throwing rocks as Hanley erupted into anarchy.

Dishad Doshti, below, moved to the front line of the Hanley riot to hurl the stones at protesters in the car park of the Salahuddin Mosque in Old Town Road.

Despite someone in his group declaring they wanted 'peace not violence,' the 26-year-old ignored the plea.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he kept his face covered with a scarf for much of the violence.

He was then caught on CCTV walking towards another group of protesters in a car park off Potteries Way.

The court heard he remained involved in the disorder until after 5pm on August 3 last year.

Chandan Kaur Kang, prosecuting, said: “On February 19 police attended his address and he was arrested.

“The interview took place that same day and the defendant admitted his presence at the protest and admits throwing rocks towards protesters.

“He said at the time he was driven by fear, but in reality he made a mistake and his actions were wrong.