Brothers carried belongings to jail in Aldi and TK Maxx bags after night of madness

Their incarceration was described as a ‘traumatic event for the family’, with two of the siblings now set to miss the birth of their children

Three brothers have been jailed after throwing wheelie bins and missiles at police officers. Martin Threlfall, Dylan Threlfall and Keelan Westbrook all became embroiled in violent scenes in Southport last summer, having travelled to the scene of the disorder from their homes in the Greater Manchester area.

The latter will now miss the birth of his firstborn child as a result of his involvement, with the middle sibling also being due to become a father again later this year. Their incarceration was today labelled a “traumatic event for the family”, some of whom were seen in tears as their loved ones were led to the cells.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday that 50 police officers were injured during shocking scenes on the evening of July 30 2024 as vehicles were damaged and properties were “ransacked and looted”, with angry crowds which gathered near to a mosque on Sussex Road having swelled to around 1,000 in number. The trouble flared the day after six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were stabbed to death during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the seaside town.

Bernice Campbell, prosecuting, described how CCTV footage captured Martin Threlfall hurling bricks and a wheelie bin towards a line of police officers during the incident. The 29-year-old, of Windermere Road in Ince, Wigan, was also seen throwing one missile at the windscreen of a carrier van while a PC was still seated in the driver’s seat, with a curved sword subsequently being seized from his home when he was belatedly arrested on April 3 this year.

Paul Williams, defending, said: “References paint a completely different picture of this defendant. He is a man, having come back to his senses, who invites me to apologise to the court and all of those people who have been affected. It is of deep sense of shame to him that he acted as he did on that day. Those character references, on the face of it, indicate two different characters.

“There is, effectively, another victim, that being his son. He will not be there for his son when his son needs him. He has particular neurodivergent problems.

“Your honour will have seen references to his time in the army. He had a wide range of conduct in a combat facing role. His conduct is described as exemplary. He has all of these positive aspects, yet this man behaved disgracefully.

“I invite the court to consider that he was not in a leadership role. There is no evidence that he has been drawing people together. He has to accept that he was very active. He went on that day, initially, to go and make his voice heard and have a peaceful protest, but he was caught up in the negative energy.

“As matters escalated, he was given a balaclava by another protester, not known to him, and was encouraged to wear that. He accepts doing that. It was not his initial plan to go and protest in a violent way, it was to voice his concerns.”

Of the weapon found in his client’s home, Mr Williams added: “His father was one for displaying items and collecting them, and his father sadly died by suicide in the November before this offending. It was this young man who found his father hanging. One can only imagine the effect that has had on him.

“When the police arrived and found the various weapons on display, they seized a number of them but left this particular sword. It was a keepsake of his father. There is no sinister connection in relation to that sword.

“He has struggled greatly with the death of his father. His only thought is that he had unresolved anger as a result of that. He is someone who is otherwise a model citizen. As part of his training, they would sometimes simulate riot situations. He has an understanding and empathy for these police officers, and he is horrified by what he has done.”

Dylan Threlfall, of Freshfield Avenue in Atherton, was meanwhile captured removing his jumper and wrapping it around his head. The 23-year-old was similarly seen hurling items including a wheelie bin and bricks at police and throwing a concrete slab at the window of a police van.

Keelen Westbrook, also of Freshfield Avenue, was pictured wearing a “distinctive, bright pink top” while “gesticulating towards” PCs. The 21-year-old was then filmed throwing missiles during the disturbance.

Ken Heckle, representing both Dylan Threlfall and Westbrook, told the court: “They are both young men of previous good character. It would appear that Keelan Westbrook was slightly less involved. It is perhaps noteworthy that Keelan was only 20 years of age at the time.

“The passage of time has not done anything to diminish the shock and seriousness of what went on. How they got involved, only they know. They instruct me that they were the victims, as so many young men were that day, of false news that was put over.

“They were there to demonstrate lawfully about the immigration situation. They were able to demonstrate peacefully and lawfully, not as we have seen on the footage. They will, of course, have to pay the price for their conduct. It must be very rare for three brothers to go to prison on the same day. It is going to be quite a traumatic event for the immediate family.

“Unusually, they both have partners expecting children. In respect of Keelan, that will be his first baby. His partner is due to give birth in October. He would have wanted to be present during that very important event. That is something he cannot get back. He cannot give that young lady the support that she would clearly want and need.

“Dylan is a father to a two-year-old daughter. His partner is pregnant, and she is due to give birth in December. To have a young child already multiplies the issues and care needed. Dylan very much regrets the situation that he has caused to himself, to his family and to his partner. His regret, remorse and apology are not only to the police officers and to the people of Southport, and anybody involved, but also to his own family and his partner.

“Keelan perhaps wanted to replicate his older brother and had started to apply for the army, but, obviously, that has taken a step back now, because of what has happened. Dylan has been training as an electrician. He is going to have a good job when he comes out. These are two young men who probably will not come back before the court again.”

All three brothers admitted violent disorder. A suited Martin Threlfall, who also admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, was locked up for two years, with one woman in the public gallery being seen with her head in her hands and another wiping away tears.

Dylan Threlfall, who wore a grey suit in the dock, was handed 18 months, having also admitted possession of cannabis in relation to a quantity of the class B drug which was discovered in several jars around his home at the time of his arrest on April 3 2025, while Westbrook, who sported a white short sleeved shirt and a striped tie, received 16 months behind bars. Their supporters waved and gave them thumbs up as they carried their belongings to the cells in Aldi and TK Maxx bags for life.

Sentencing, Judge Stuart Driver KC said: “The mob assailed the people line in a violent confrontation which lasted for several hours. After these events, there were numerous other serious events across the country. Those who participate in such disorder will receive sentence designed to deter others.”

The judge told Martin Threlfall: “You were part of that mob. You can be seen placing yourself at the front of the crowd, close to the police, throwing bricks and a bin, including throwing a brick directly into a windscreen and smashing it, inches in front of the face of the police driver, kicking vehicles repeatedly and deliberately placing bricks under the tyres of vehicles to prevent their movement. You participated in a widespread incident involving serious acts of violence and persistent and sustained unlawful activity.

“You were an active participant. You are of previous good character, not merely lacking in previous convictions but also with exemplary military service and a good employment record since, and family and friends speak highly of you. You have had serious family problems, including a bereavement and the health of your son.”
Liverpool Echo