A man stole a Deliveroo bag during an anti-migrant protest – then incriminated himself by posting photos of it online.
Robert Scott, 47, pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.
He was charged after a protest in Liverpool city centre on 9 June, a week after disorder in Southampton following the murder of student Henry Nowak, 18.
A picture posted on Scott’s Facebook page showed a Deliveroo bag with five pictures of Mr Nowak stuck on to it and another sticker with the slogan “Save Our Kids” on a Union flag background.
The court heard that Scott caused an estimated £240 damage to the front door of the Richmond Hotel.
Merseyside Police said between 100 and 150 people gathered at St George’s Hall for the protest, which came in the days after a knife attack in Belfast sparked disorder in Northern Ireland.
A force spokesperson said that after the protests moved to other locations, doors and windows were damaged at the Richmond Hotel and a group was reportedly chased and verbally abused in Dale Street.
Shouts of “you’re going back home” were said to have been made towards takeaway delivery riders.
A Deliveroo bag was taken from a bicycle by a man who was seen making racist comments and spitting, police said.
Judge Ian Unsworth KC adjourned sentencing to 13 August to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
He said: “This is plainly a serious matter.”
Scott, of Bootle, Sefton, pleaded not guilty to a count of burglary which was left to lie on the file.
The case of Mr Nowak sparked outrage and protests after the release of police body-worn video which showed the student being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.
His murderer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years.
Twenty-five people have so far been charged over protests in Southampton.