Young mum who took toddler son in pram to asylum hotel riot spared jail

Nevey Smith threw water at police officers trying to keep order amid nationwide unrest in the wake of the Southport stabbings in July.

A “misguided, naive and immature” young mother who brought her 20-month-old son in a pram to an asylum hotel riot has been spared jail. Nevey Smith, 21, of Oldham, threw water at police officers trying to keep order outside the Holiday Inn in Newton Heath, Manchester, on July 31.

A mob had been throwing bottles, bricks and eggs at the hotel amid nationwide unrest after three girls were stabbed at a holiday club in Southport on July 29. Smith admitted violent disorder last month.

Judge Patrick Field KC, sentencing her at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, said: “You chose to join (the disorder) notwithstanding that you had your 20-month-old child in a pushchair.

“What on earth were you thinking? I doubt you had his safety in mind.”

The judge also told Smith she had a “lot to learn” and “quite a lot of growing up to do”, labelling her “misguided, naive and immature”. He said her role was “minimal and peripheral” as she had not been involved in throwing bricks or encouraging others to do so.

Daniel Calder, defending, told the court Smith had not set out to attend the protest on the day, and had been passing the riot when she “foolishly” got involved. He said Smith had not expressed discriminatory views and did not know what an asylum seeker is.

Top news stories today

• Taxi's to A&E costing £166k a year
• Boy given second chance after transplant
• ScotRail peak fares return
• Scotland 'held back by snp' says Sarwar

Smith was handed a community order and made to attend reviews at a women’s problem-solving court, and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. Her mother, Vanessa Smith, 42, was also at the protest and admitted violent disorder.

She will be sentenced on Thursday.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.