Young man went to Hanley riot with his parents – now he’s in court

Liam Willdigg was caught throwing a stone at counter protesters

A man who threw a stone as mass violence broke out in Hanley has been spared jail. Liam Willdigg got involved in the protest on August 3, 2024 with both his parents in the wake of the Southport murders.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that when someone in the rival group threw a stone in his direction he picked it up and hurled it back.

Now the 26-year-old has been sentenced to two years, suspended for 18 month. Prosecutor Chandan Kang said: “There were protests taking place that day outside mosques and in the city centre.

“The defendant was seen at 11.30am. At one stage he appeared to be filming. He can be seen at the frontline next to the police. At 1.38pm he arrived as part of a large group walking towards the mosque. He was captured on CCTV carrying out a throwing motion.”

Willdigg handed himself into the police on January 29 this year. He admitted being present and throwing a stone to a group of protesters. He agreed that was wrong and he should not have done it.

Willdigg, of Florence Road, Hanford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Scott Ashdown, mitigating, said Willdigg was in Hanley for a number of hours. Mr Ashdown said: “Other people were behaving in a racially aggressive manner, picking up stones. He sought to prevent that sort of behaviour from going on. He expressed his displeasure to those who behaved in such a way.

“At Town Road there were a number of counter protesters in possession of improvised weapons and they were throwing stones at those in the vicinity of the grass verge.

“It was foolish. He accepts when a particular item landed in his general vicinity he impulsively picked it up and threw it. He accepts that reaction was completely unacceptable and unlawful.

“To his credit he admitted his part. He did not seek to minimise his part. His part was minimal, fleeting and entirely impulsive. It is very unlikely that the stone would have reached its target.”

As part of the suspended sentence Willdigg must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days and 240 hours unpaid work.

Judge Richard McConaghy said: “On July 29 last year there was an appalling and broadly publicised incident at a dance studio in Southport. The man involved was convicted of the murder of three young girls and 10 counts of attempted murder. In the days that followed there was significant misinformation online which focused on his ethnicity and immigration status.

“There were protests including in Hanley and counter protests. On August 3 last year there was a protest in and around Town Road and the area around the mosque. It descended into violence. There were police in riot gear.

“Threats were made with weapons. Some had been brought to the scene. Many others were picked up there. Missiles, such as bricks, were thrown. Pieces of wood were picked up and brandished. Police who tried to maintain the order were abused and argued with by people intent on threatening and using violence. All on a Saturday afternoon when the town centre was busy. Members of the public and police officers were injured. Public safety and public order were put under threat. The disruption caused was significant.

“You had attended Hanley with both of your parents and were there for several hours. You were present from about 11.30am and were with a large group who advanced on a mosque after 1.30pm. There were police present trying to keep the peace. There was no need for any physical confrontation whatsoever between the two groups. Large stones were thrown from both sides over the police line. You were one of the throwers. You indicated you had picked up a stone thrown towards you from the other group but had not hit you.

“Your involvement in violent acts came from the throwing of that one stone. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Due to the fact that the Crown have taken the view that they can only allege a momentary involvement in violence on your part, the casting of a stone that could not be said to have hit anybody else, I have just formed the view that in your case the sentence can be suspended.”

Stoke Sentinel