 The riots continued for several days in 2001 |
A race riot was sparked when a white gang attacked Asian people at random after a minor disagreement, a court heard. The group - armed with an iron bar, sticks and a pallet - took to the streets in the Glodwick area of Oldham which was later at the centre of furious clashes. Nine men, one woman and two youths went on trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday. They are all accused of rioting on the first night of disturbances in Oldham, in 2001. The jury heard a disagreement between four boys provoked the gang to go to Glodwick to attack members of the Asian community. Prosecutors told the court the nine men were provoked to act, on 26 May 2001, after two Asian youths were involved in a spat with two white youths in Glodwick.  They [behaved] in a brutal fashion, attacking anyone who was Asian  Prosecutor Mukhtar Hussain QC |
The two Asian youths, aged 14 and 11, tried to remonstrate with the white youths and followed them into the home of Sharon Hoy, the prosecution said. After being told his sister's house was under attack, Darren Hoy - one of the nine men - took his friends to the house, said prosecutor Mukhtar Hussain, QC. Mr Hussain said the group then headed out to begin their attacks. He said: "They did so in an uncompromising and brutal fashion, attacking anyone who was Asian. In other words, this was a racist attack." Gang outnumbered For some time, the group ran around the Glodwick area brandishing an iron bar, sticks and pallets above their heads, threatening Asian families - including one heavily pregnant woman - kicking their cars and throwing bricks through their windows. As word of their behaviour got round the area, Asian youths came onto the streets to confront them, Mr Hussain told the court. The police were later called and had to save the gang - who had become outnumbered - by arresting some and removing others for their protection, Mr Hussain said. Several weeks passed before officers realised the gang's role in the disturbances, which went on to last for several days, the jury was told. The defendants, who all deny riot, violent disorder and racially aggravated damage to property, are: Darren Hoy, 27, of Rosary Close, Fitton Hill, Oldham Sharon Hoy, 38, of Raper Street, Oldham James Clift, 24, of Westfield Street, Chadderton, Greater Manchester Mark Priestley, 32, of High Street West, Glossop, Derbyshire Alan Daley, 38, of Old Road, Failsworth, Greater Manchester Matthew Berry, 25, of Pine Tree Road, Limeside, Oldham David Bourne, 35, of First Avenue, Limeside, Oldham Steven Rhodes, 30, of Medway Road, Oldham Paul Brockway, 39, of Broadmoss Drive, Blackley, Greater Manchester Stephen Walsh, 22, of Clive Road, Failsworth A 17-year-old girl from Fitton Hill and a boy, 16, from Limeside, who have not been named for legal reasons. The trial continues.
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