Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday, 2nd October 2024, at 11:30hrs
All four was jailed when they appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.
Arsonists who started fires and engaged in violent offending during a night of disorder in Harehills have been jailed.
In a statement released after sentencing, West Yorkshire Police said
“West Yorkshire Police has welcomed the sentencing of the men today (Tuesday 1st October ), three of whom were jailed for an arson attack which destroyed a First bus.
Iustin Dobre (37) Mark Mitchell (34) and Milan Zamostny (30) all from Leeds, were jailed for violent disorder and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered for the attack on a First Bus on Foundry Approach in Harehills on the 18th of July.
Dobre of Clifton Mount was jailed for six years while Mitchell of Strathmore View and Zamostny of Seaforth Road were sentenced to six years and five years four months respectively.
A fourth man, Celan Valentin Palaghia (21) of Dorset Mount, was jailed for three years for violent disorder and an arson offence in which he set fire to boxes and furniture during the disorder on the 18th of July.
All of the men had admitted the offences at previous court hearings and were remanded in custody ahead of their sentencing.
West Yorkshire Police continues to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into the July disorder on July 18th and 19th which caused significant distress to residents in the Harehills area.
Officers have made substantial use of all technological tools available to the force including CCTV and the use of facial recognition technology, which was used to identify Dobre.
Forty one people have so far been arrested on suspicion offences, with five charged.
Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds, District Commander of Leeds District Police, said: “The disorder which took place in Harehills earlier this summer was shameful. It saw these men and others engage in disgraceful acts which harmed the very communities in which they lived.
“All were remanded in prison custody prior to their sentencing, and we welcome the decision by the court to jail them today. Investigators continue to use sophisticated technology such as the facial recognition system which was used by officers to identify Iustin Dobre.”
He added: “It should be stressed the disorder in Harehills did not reflect the views of the majority of residents there. It also should not detract from the months of work carried out with those residents to substantially reduce crime in the Harehills area through an ongoing Clear Hold Build programme.
“That positive work carried out through Clear Hold Build and other local initiatives continues, and I want to thank communities for continuing to engage positively with us. I also continue to urge anyone who has information which could assist our investigation into the July disorder to come forwards.
“It is not too late to speak with us and I can promise that all information is assessed.”
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