20-Year-Old Armed Man Sentenced To 10 Months Prison, 46 Other Arrested


New Delhi: A 20-year-old man has been arrested and sentenced to 10 months in prison following the unrest over the weekend in Leicester. So far, 47 people have been arrested for their involvement in the violence, the Leicester police said in a tweet. The police arrested Amos Noronha whom the magistrate sent to prison for 10 months after he pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon. The police did not release any details regarding Noronha’s crime.

“A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison following his arrest during the disorder in east Leicester. Amos Noronha, of Illingworth Road, Leicester, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday) and pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon,” the police said in a statement released on Twitter.

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“An additional 18 people were arrested on Sunday night for a number of offences including affray, common assault, possession of an offensive weapon and violent disorder. A total of 47 people have been arrested for offences in relation to the unrest in the east of the city. Some of those arrested were from out of the city, including some people from Birmingham,” the statement by Leicester Police added.

The cycle of violence started on August 28 after India won the Asia Cup T20 cricket match against Pakistan played in Dubai. The incident sparked clashes in Melton Road, Belgrave.

The Indian High Commission to the United Kingdom condemned the violence against the Indian community and vandalisation of Hindu premises in Leicester city and sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks.

According to British media, the violence began after an “unplanned protest” by Hindus sparked an “impromptu” gathering of Muslims in the same area where there are several Muslim-owned businesses and a Hindu temple, reported PTI

On Saturday evening, a video was circulated showing a man pulling down a flag outside a religious building on Melton Road, Leicester.  Police said the incident would be investigated.

According to PTI report, police stood between the two groups to prevent escalation of violence as several objects were hurled by both the sides.