All three were arrested and have been in prison on remand ever since.
Adam Boukhaf, 22, Mohammed Wako, 22, and Edward Savvas, 19, armed themselves with items to be used as weapons if they were attacked and went to see a protest and counter protest near a York city centre hotel housing asylum seekers on August 7, said James Holding, prosecuting.
Barristers for the three said they had never been in trouble with the law before and had not intended to start any violence.
“They were present to observe, being young and nosy to see what was going on,” said Boukhaf’s barrister Laura Addy.
Boukhaf’s actions had put at risk his lifelong dream to serve in the Royal Navy, she added.
Defence barrister Glenn Parsons said Wako was a professional boxer whose actions could affect his licence as he would have to report his conviction and sentence to the British Boxing Board of Control and Savvas’ conviction could affect his future job applications.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Three arrests over alleged plans to commit violent disorder in York
- York community unites in aftermath of UK-wide riots
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