Jake Lowther pleads guilty

We have reassembled in magistrates’ court this afternoon where the final two defendants charged with violent disorder will appear before a district judge for the first time. Jake Lowther, 20 and of Abrams Fold in Banks, is the first to appear before the court. The prosecutor in court is now Matthew Dixon.

Lowther, who is supported by his mum and dad in court, is represented by Steven Townley who appears via video link. Lowther, wearing a grey t-shirt and sporting tattooed arms and fair hair, speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before he enters a guilty plea to the charge of violent disorder.

Mr Dixon tells the court: “This matter took place in the context of the violent disorder in Merseyside in the last two weeks. He has been in the Southport area in the early disorder close to a mosque on the junction of Sussex Road and St Luke’s Road. The defendant is seen picking up concrete missiles and throwing them at police officers, hitting the shield of one officer. This matter is extremely serious given the use of weapons. He is looking at a lengthy custodial sentence given the nature of his offence. He is a young defendant with no previous convictions.”

In mitigation, Mr Townley says: “There is no application for bail today. The defendant is fairly pragmatic. I did want to discuss the hearing date. Committals for sentence in this area are two months.

“We are dealing with a young man with no convictions. We are asking for reports. I am querying why someone is appearing three working days after a guilty plea.”

District Judge Healey responds: “Having regard to the nature of these incidents, that is the guidance we have been given by the crown court.”

Addressing the defendant, the judge adds: “You are now convicted of this offence. I remand you into the custody of Liverpool Crown Court.” The defendant will be sentenced on Monday, August 19 at the higher court.

The defendants’ mum and dad wave at him and mouth “love you” as he is led down to the cells by two dock officers.

Liverpool Echo