A man who joined a group of protesters outside a police station was heard encouraging them to throw eggs, comparing them to the ‘Pakistani cricket team’. Abdul Rahim, 21 appeared alongside a large group at the front doors of Rochdale police station on July 25 last year to protest about an incident at Manchester Airport . During the fracas the keypad to the station door was damaged, a barricade was made outside and eggs were hurled. “The defendant was heard threatening violence, shouting and using a megaphone,” said prosecutor Nicholas Flanagan. “The defendant made comments encouraging them to throw the eggs and compared them to the Pakistani cricket team. He was also wearing a face covering.” Rahim, of Mark Street in Rochdale, was later arrested after he was located by making enquiries about buying a car in a takeaway in Manchester. Minshull Street Crown Court heard the impact of the protest led to a drop in footfall in the area. “People were scared to come into the town centre and taxi drivers were particularly vulnerable because of the events that had taken place,” Mr Flanagan, quoting a police officer, said. Defending, Khadim Al’Hassan said: “It was an incident he should not have been involved in. He comes from a good family. “He got swept up in the moment and got involved.” He added that the university student was remorseful. Sentencing Rahim, judge Matthew Corbett-Jones said: “The incident took place on July 25 last year when you and several others attended outside a police station. A protest took place in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport. “They were trying to do their jobs by protecting the public. This was a threat to people who had done absolutely nothing wrong.” He stated that he had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and handed him a 27 week suspended sentence for 18 months, with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.