A man who escaped persecution in Iraq only to find himself imprisoned in Britain has become one of the latest individuals sentenced for involvement in last summer’s nationwide riots.
Judge Sally Hancox handed down a 27-month prison term to Aso Hassan at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, describing his participation in the 3rd August disorder as a betrayal of the second chance he’d been given when fleeing his homeland six years ago.
The 42-year-old’s journey from Iraqi refugee to convicted rioter highlights the complex aftermath of violence that swept through Britain following misinformation about the Southport knife attack that claimed three young lives.
From Worship to Violence Within Minutes
Hassan had been attending Friday prayers at a Hanley mosque when events took a dramatic turn. Stepping outside to find police cordons blocking streets around the religious building, he witnessed growing tensions between anti-immigration demonstrators and those who’d gathered to protect the mosque.
Within moments, Hassan transformed from worshipper to participant, retrieving a broom from his vehicle which he brandished towards protesters. His involvement rapidly escalated as he collected bricks and stones from nearby car parks, launching them towards both uniformed officers and civilians.
Police bodycam footage, meticulously reviewed by Staffordshire Police during their months-long investigation, captured Hassan’s movements across multiple locations throughout that August afternoon. Prosecutors presented evidence showing him at 1.40pm approaching the cordon, at 1.50pm behind the mosque before fleeing from a police dog, and at 3pm throwing further projectiles whilst gesturing to encourage others.
Claims of Fear Rejected by Court
When finally interviewed by officers this February, seven months after the disorder, Hassan admitted his identity in the footage but sought to minimise his actions. He claimed nerve damage in his right hand prevented him throwing stones “any real distance” and insisted fear, not aggression, motivated his behaviour.
Prosecutor David Bennett systematically dismantled these claims, walking the court through CCTV and bodycam evidence showing Hassan repeatedly bending to collect missiles, actively fleeing from police dogs yet returning to throw more objects, and filming events on his mobile phone throughout. “He threw something at protestors before being chased by a police dog,” Bennett told the court. “At 3pm, he was seen throwing stones at protestors again. He could be seen making hand gestures in an attempt to encourage conflict.”
Judge Hancox expressed particular concern about Hassan’s repeated return to violence despite clear police attempts to disperse him. “You were chased by a police dog. But you still threw rocks at officers and a police van,” she observed during sentencing, noting his actions demonstrated deliberate choice rather than panic.
Defence Emphasises Refugee’s Previous Good Character
Scott Ashdown, defending, painted a contrasting picture of his client’s life before that August day. Character witnesses described Hassan, who resides on Josiah Wedgwood Street in Etruria, as hardworking and charitable, a man who’d built a life in Britain from nothing after arriving with no formal education.
“He is especially ashamed as he came to this country from Iraq, with no formal education, fleeing persecution in 2019,” Ashdown told the court. “He aspired to be a hard-working contributor to our society. All of these ambitions he managed until his disorderly conduct that day.”
The defence acknowledged Hassan’s brandishing of the broom handle would have appeared threatening to others, stressing his client’s genuine remorse and willingness to accept responsibility for his actions. Ashdown characterised the incident as an uncharacteristic “blemish” on an otherwise law-abiding existence in Britain.
However, Judge Hancox concluded Hassan’s previous good character couldn’t outweigh the seriousness of repeatedly attacking police officers attempting to maintain order during widespread public disorder.
Part of Wider Pattern of Hanley Prosecutions
Hassan joins dozens of individuals sentenced for their roles in the Hanley disorder, which saw approximately 300 people clash in the Staffordshire town centre. The violence centred around Town Road’s Darul Falah mosque, with both far-right demonstrators and counter-protesters engaging in sustained disorder requiring riot police, dog units and reinforcements from across the region.
Staffordshire Police’s investigation into the events has resulted in over 80 arrests and more than 30 charges, with convictions spanning the entire spectrum of participants. Previous sentences handed down at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court have included a 26-month term for an Iraq war veteran with PTSD, 28 months for a father who claimed he’d only gone to watch football, and 30 months for a man who chanted anti-Islamic slogans whilst filming the disorder.
The Hanley violence formed part of nationwide disorder triggered by false social media claims that the Southport attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker. Axel Rudakubana, the teenager who murdered Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, was later revealed to be Cardiff-born and not Muslim.
Hassan must serve at least 40 per cent of his sentence, approximately 11 months, before becoming eligible for parole. His case serves as a stark warning about how quickly participation in disorder can destroy lives painstakingly rebuilt after fleeing conflict.
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