Tony Hazlett pleads guilty

Tony Hazlett, wearing a dark grey t-shirt and sporting grey hair and glasses, enters the courtroom and gives a thumbs up to two members of his family. He is represented by Paul Kilty. He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address for the court.

The clerk puts the charge of violent disorder to him. Hazlett, 46 and of Bank Road in Bootle pleads guilty to the offence.

Hazlett ‘was witnessed throwing bricks towards police officers’

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “The defendant is 46 and on July 30 he was present during the disorder in Southport, a community already grieving. He was witnessed throwing bricks towards police officers. Intelligence was received that he was Tony Hazlett and he was circulated as wanted by the police. Officers attended his address and he was arrested for suspicion of violent disorder.”

The defendant has 15 previous convictions for 44 offences, most recently for criminal damage in 2016. He also has a previous conviction in 2011 for affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

In mitigation, Mr Kilty says: “His record has been referenced and some 13 years ago he was involved in a public order act of affray. This was outside his home address and he challenged someone with violence. There has been a significant gap in terms of similar offending. A lot can happen in someone’s life. He is a different person today.

“He is the father of six children, one just 14 weeks of age. Four of those children live near his house with his ex-partner and he sees them often. He has a son who suffers with autism and assists in the additional care involved in managing his condition. He is a family man who suffers with depression and anxiety and has overused alcohol to manage it.

“Unfortunately he consumed some alcohol on the day in question when he was invited to join friends in Southport. Originally they planned to be part of the vigil but when they were off the train they headed towards a different area and were present on St Luke’s Road. Mr Hazlett’s role is caught on a clip lasting a matter of seconds when he is throwing two items in the direction of the police cordon.

“It’s not known if it caused any damage. He has not gone with the intention to cause disorder. He isn’t wearing a face covering, nor is he part of any organised political group. He said once there he got carried away with it. He said in a police interview after 10 minutes he decided to leave of his own accord and went back home alone hoping nothing more would come of it. Yesterday morning the police knocked on his door and he explained to them he was sorry that he was part of the disorder.”

District Judge Healey refuses bail and tells the defendant that he will be remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court next week. The defendant speaks briefly with his family before heading to the cells.

Liverpool Echo