Viral Post Misrepresents UK Riot Case: Woman Jailed for Assault, Not Filming

A post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has sparked controversy and confusion surrounding a recent court case in the United Kingdom. On August 31st, an account named Peter Sweden claimed that a woman who filmed anti-open border riots in Britain and shouted "we want our country back" had been sentenced to 20 months in prison. The post was shared widely, drawing attention from notable figures, including Twitter owner Elon Musk, who responded with a simple "wow." The reaction from Musk and others has amplified concerns about freedom of speech and the state of British politics.

However, the reality of the case is far more complex than the post suggests. The woman in question, Deana Evans, 32, was indeed sentenced to 20 months in prison. But her imprisonment was not merely for filming or shouting at the protests, as the social media post implied.

A quick look at the facts of the case

Evans, along with her boyfriend Ciaran Lockett, 34, was involved in a violent disorder that erupted in Stoke-on-Trent on August 3rd. This unrest was part of a broader wave of anti-immigration protests and riots that swept across the UK earlier in the month, fueled by online rumors and social tensions.

The disturbances in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, were particularly intense. According to court records, Lockett and Evans played significant roles in the chaos. Lockett was sentenced to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, during which he was seen throwing rocks and projectiles towards a mosque. His actions were caught on CCTV, along with verbal abuse directed at police officers.

Evans, meanwhile, was sentenced to 20 months after admitting to violent disorder and the common assault of an emergency worker. The court heard that during the arrest at her home on August 22nd, Evans elbowed a police officer. The couple’s behavior was described as "deeply regrettable" by their defense attorney, Steve Hennessy, who noted that both Lockett and Evans had struggled with homelessness and drug addiction in the past but had since managed to turn their lives around.

Here is what else you need to know

The riots and protests that took place in early August were fueled by rumors that the suspect in a series of fatal stabbings in Southport in July was a Muslim and an asylum seeker. These false claims spread rapidly online, stoking anger and fear across the country.

Staffordshire Police emphasized that both Lockett and Evans were not merely bystanders or peaceful protesters. Their involvement in the disorder was active and significant, with Evans even being caught on camera trying to block a police van from moving through the crowds.

Despite the misleading claims made on social media, the reality is that Evans' prison sentence was a result of her participation in violent and disruptive actions, not for simply filming or making a political statement. As the case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of misinformation and the complexities of justice in times of social unrest.

It is also important to note, that the British state, led by Sir Keir Starmer, faces accusations of appeasing Britain's Muslim population, by refusing to take action against them, for their role in the riots. A significant percentage of people in the UK feel that action should be taken against everyone who was involved in the riots, not just against people who happen to be Caucasian.