Man attended riot after girlfriend went to vigil

The case of Dylan Carey will now be called on.

The 26-year-old – of Castle Hill Road in Hindley, Greater Manchester – is charged with violent disorder in relation to the disturbance on St Luke’s Road in Southport on Tuesday last week.

He is represented by solicitor Bill Pearson, with a man and a woman present in the public gallery in support of the defendant.

Carey is brought into the dock wearing a black shirt and sporting thinning mousey hair and a beard.

He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address before pleading guilty to the charge.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk tells the court that police officers attended outside a mosque on St Luke’s Road, saying: “They became aware of a large crowd that was hostile, with approximately 200 people coming towards them.

“Items were thrown towards the mosque. The crowd was chanting how the f*** is Allah. The crowd became more angry. Several were shouting ‘why are you protecting them?’.”

Officers then “had to pull away” as a result.

Carey was identified from body worn camera footage and videos shared “on public networks”, with a police officer spotting him at Southport Station later in the day after recognising him from these clips.

Mobile phone camera footage which was provided to Merseyside Police is played to the court.

Carey is seen in a grey t-shirt picking up an object and throwing it, then kicking a police van as it is driven away.

An officer’s bodyworn camera meanwhile captures him kicking out at a stationary police van.

Under interview following his arrest, he told detectives that he had “attended because his girlfriend attended the vigil to lay flowers and light a candle”.

Carey said that he saw a Facebook post from a councillor concerning a “peaceful protest” and “attended in solidarity”.

But Mr Sanderson-Kirk says: “He said he got more angry at the fact three girls had been murdered and became involved in the disorder. He accepted kicking the vehicle and throwing a water bottle.”

Carey has no previous convictions.

A man in the public gallery is seen clutching at his chest as the case is detailed to the court.

The defendant is remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing before Liverpool Crown Court on August 12.

Judge Boswell tells him: “There is real prospect of an immediate custodial sentence.”

Carey nods and says ‘ok’ as the case is adjourned before blowing a kiss to supporters, with one woman seen to be in tears.

Liverpool Echo