Mob targets shops in sex case protest

A MOB attacked police and smashed shop windows after hijacking a protest about a ‘sex-grooming’ trial.

Takeaways in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, were targeted after comments were made on social networking sites, including Twitter and Facebook.

Trouble started on Thursday evening when a group with a ‘violent’ agenda infiltrated a peaceful march through the town centre by around 80 people over the trial of a suspected grooming gang at Liverpool Crown Court.

Riot police were sent in when around 200 thugs began shouting racist chants and damaging cars and businesses.

Sarah Carlton, 46, who took part in the peaceful protest with her daughters, Kayleigh, 15, and Natalie, eight, said: ‘We want to protect our kids but we didn’t want it to be taken over by these violent gangs. It was extremely frightening.’

Ather Shah, owner of the Cheeky Chicken takeaway, said: ‘There were hundreds of them coming towards my shop and I ran and closed the shutters. It was really intimidating.’

Mr Shah said his business had nothing to do with the trial.

A sign in the window of another takeaway, Tasty Bites, read: ‘We bought this business in November 2009. We are people loyal to the community.’

Rochdale council leader Colin Lambert urged the community to remain calm.

He said: ‘The business premises involved in the trial are now under new ownership and I strongly warn people against jumping to conclusions. There is no excuse for violence.’