One of the leaders of the racist mob violence that engulfed Hull city centre during the riots of August 2024 was jailed for six years at Hull Crown Court earlier this week.
Billy Bragger was, in the words of Judge John Thackray KC, “front and centre of 12 hours of racist, hate‑fuelled mob violence” that swept through Hull on 3 August 2024, part of a wave of far‑right rioting following the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport.
He had, said the judge, “brought shame to the city”.
Police attacked
Outside the Royal Hotel on Ferensway, which was then housing asylum seekers, Bragger attacked police as crowds attempted to get into the hotel.
What followed was a night of escalating violence: attacks on vehicles, threats to kill, looting of the O2 and Greggs stores, and arson at Shoezone. A BMW carrying three people was racially targeted, its occupants left “terrified” as the mob surrounded them.
The court was told that 11 police officers were injured, one permanently scarred.
Leading role
Judge Thackray said the communities targeted were left frightened to go about their daily lives, describing the disorder as “utterly deplorable” and noting Bragger’s “leading role” throughout.
25-year-old Bragger admitted violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage, burglary and arson. His record, the court was told, is already extensive despite his age. Mitigation was minimal; he had pleaded guilty early but offered little explanation beyond unspecified “problems”.
The Hull riots formed part of a broader pattern of far‑right agitation, where online disinformation rapidly translated into racist street violence.
