Curtis Faure pleads guilty

Curtis Faure, wearing a grey tracksuit and sporting black hair, is brought into the dock. He is represented by Gary Bryan. He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He is supported by his mum and brother.

The charge of violent disorder is put to him. Faure, 19, and of Thomas Lane in Broadgreen, pleads guilty.

Faure was at Gravity Max then joined the riot

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “The defendant is 19. He was present during the disorder on August 3 in the city centre on The Strand. He was captured throwing a brick. In the following days a number of images were circulated in the press. The particular image pictured the defendant throwing a brick and on August 8 the defendant attended Marsh Lane police station and said it was him.”

In mitigation, Mr Bryan says: “When the image was circulated he immediately presented himself to the police station. He made admissions during his police interview. He was at Chavasse Park with a friend to hang out and visit Gravity Max. He became aware of the disturbance and walked down. And when he was there, in a singular moment of madness, he threw a brick towards the officers.

“He had no intention to harm anyone but accepted he threw it. He said there were no racial elements to his action and his parents are from South Africa. He has no discriminatory beliefs and this was a singular moment of madness. He stated he wished he could turn back time and his parents were ashamed of him. He has shown genuine remorse. He has never been arrested before. You can imagine his state of mind as he appears before the court today. He is a team leader at a supermarket. He works full time, often working six days a week for long hours.”

Addressing the defendant, District Judge Healey says “You pleaded guilty. It’s too serious to be dealt with here. You will be sentenced on August 15. On August 3 you made the conscious decision to engage in the most violent disorder this country has seen in recent years. You were actively engaged on that day.

“It’s a serious offence, there is a real chance of a serious prison sentence. You have no previous convictions and say you are remorseful. You are in full time employment and have family support but you chose to get involved in this.”

The judge remands the defendant into custody ahead of his sentencing. The defendant’s mum bursts into tears as her son is led down to the cells.

Liverpool Echo