First person jailed for involvement in far-right riots

More than 400 people have been arrested so far

An 18-year-old is thought to be the first person to receive a prison sentence for their involvement in far-right riots that have swept across England in recent days.

Over the last week, violent disorder and unrest has been seen in towns and cities across the country.

Much of the violence has been a result of disorder organised by far-right groups and supporters.

Now, a man in Greater Manchester is thought to have become the first person to receive a prison sentence for his involvement in the unrest.

James Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, was jailed for two months at Manchester Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage during disorder.

Nelson had been involved in clashes between rival groups in Bolton town centre. The BBC reports that fireworks, bottles, tiles and eggs were thrown in the violence on Sunday.

Far-right, Islamophobic violence has spread across towns and cities in England following the killing of three girls in a knife attack in Southport.

Fake news circulated on social media had claimed the suspect in the killings was a Muslim asylum seeker, prompting far-right groups and supporters to organise riots targeting mosques and Muslims.

The 17-year-old arrested on suspicion of the Southport attack was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents. He is thought to have no known links to Islam.