A “misguided, naive and immature” mother who took her 20-month-old son in a pram to a riot at an asylum hotel riot has been spared jail time.
Nevey Smith, 21, of West Street, Oldham, threw water at police officers trying to keep order outside Holiday Inn in Newton Heath, Manchester, on July 31.
She admitted to 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 young mum was handed a community order and made to attend reviews at a women’s problem-solving court, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
The 21-year-old had been pushing the child in its pram to see her grandmother for a day out when she spotted her aunt near the hotel.
She then proceeded to “lose her temper” as she hurled a liquid from a bottle towards police officers.
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At a hearing in August, prosecutor Tess Kenyon said: “This was after two people who were seeking asylum had gone into the hotel.
“She had a child in a stroller with her at the time.”
Her sentencing hearing heard that when questioned, she said she didn’t understand what an asylum seeker was.
Judge Field told Smith that she had a “lot to learn” and “quite a lot of growing up to do”.
He said there was no evidence she was motivated by racism. “I conclude without hesitation that you became involved because you were misguided, naïve and immature,” he said.
Her mother, Vanessa Smith, 42, was also at the protest and admitted violent disorder.
Vanessa will be sentenced on Thursday.
