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Two men jailed over violent disorder at protest

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September 4, 2024
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Two men have been jailed for using or threatening violence during a protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

They were among seven men who appeared at Winchester Crown Court over the demonstration in Aldershot on 31 July.

Kieron Marney 25, of Fairview Road, Ash, was sentenced to 27 months, and Clive Patfield, 60, of The Chantrys, Farnham, was jailed for two years.

Judge Rufus Taylor said the asylum seekers would have been petrified and some remain too scared to leave the hotel.

Cameron Bowling, 40, of Broadhurst in Farnborough, also pleaded guilty to the same offence and will be sentenced on 23 September.

Pre-sentence psychological reports have been ordered for Joe Howell, 19, of Bareham Drive in Ash, Surrey, and Alby Brannan, 18, of Winchester Road, Ash.

They also admitted the same charge and will be sentenced on 29 November.

Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Montgomery Road, Farnborough, pleaded not guilty to using or threatening violence and will stand trial on 14 April 2025.

A police officer was injured when disorder broke out at the demonstration involving about 200 people.

Last month a 13-year-old girl pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the protests.

Steven Tiquin, 41, of Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, also appeared and pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting two police constables and two police staff investigators.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of using or threatening violent behaviour and racially aggravated harassment against a female police officer.

The charges relate to an incident at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on 3 August, when police were carrying out routine enquiries following the protests.

A police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Tiquin was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 13 September.

There were outbreaks of violence in other towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland, including Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.

It followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest believed to be fuelled by misinformation online.

BBC News

His ‘curiosity and stupidity’ led him straight into a prison cell

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September 4, 2024
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Anthony Buck says he was hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed after launching missiles towards them

A dad’s “curiosity” led to him being hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed twice.

Anthony Buck says that he was met with such retaliation after launching four missiles towards PCs when scenes of violence erupted in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice DaSilva Aguiar.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that a 1,000-strong crowd descended on the Southport Islamic Society Mosque on the evening of July 30 this year, the day after the killings, and chanted “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b****rds” and “who the f*** is Allah?”. Items being hurled towards officers led to more than 50 being injured, while residents’ properties were “significantly” damaged and one police van was destroyed by fire at a cost of £100,000.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Buck was seen on CCTV in close proximity to Windsor Mini Mart as the shop was looted, with cigarettes, crates of beer and bottles of spirits being taken from inside after the shutters were ripped open. The 52-year-old, formerly of Shakespeare Street, was said to have been “front and centre” as entry was forced to the premises, although he did not enter the store.

Footage also captured him launching objects towards the police four times in quick succession in his “distinctive” blue Berghaus top. Buck was subsequently arrested at Southport Police Station on August 29.

Under interview, he “admitted throwing several small rocks or stones” and said he was “under the influence of drink” at the time. The defendant told detectives that he had been “PAVA sprayed twice and hit with a baton four times” and said he was “agitated”.

Buck meanwhile stated that he could not remember anything he had shouted at the scene, but maintained that it “would not have been racist chanting” as he was “not a racist”. He also said he had filmed the events on his mobile phone, but later deleted the footage.

His criminal record shows a total of 23 previous convictions for 32 offences dating back to 1986. This includes an entry for wounding without intent in 1994 and receiving 27 months for possession of heroin with intent to supply in August 2021.

Buck was originally released from this term in July 2022, but was subsequently recalled on licence in February 2023 before being freed again in November last year. Simon Christie, defending, told the court: “He bitterly regrets his part in the serious violent disorder on the streets of Southport.

“The defendant is a native of Southport. He is not one of those who travelled to the scene. He is seen undisguised on the footage. He instructs that he went to the crowd out of curiosity and then, out of pure stupidity, allowed himself to get involved and remained at the scene, and he threw a number of objects towards the police.

“He has responsibilities at home. He has two children, aged 12 and 13, who are being looked after by family members. Having seen the footage, he is quite simply appalled at what he did.

“He is proud of the town and cannot rationally explain why he become involved in it. He quite inexplicably not only got involved, he stayed there for an appreciable period of time – albeit the violence was concentrated into a relatively short period of time.”

Buck admitted violent disorder. Appearing in the dock wearing a black North Face t-shirt, he nodded as he was jailed for 28 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “A mob which became a thousand strong gathered near to the mosque. Without any justification at all, the mob attacked the mosque and its community – who were completely blameless – and the police, who were, in the eyes of the mob, at fault for trying to protect those who were their targets.

“The mob laid siege to the police line. There was a violent confrontation. In years passed, it would probably have been described as a pitched battle and it lasted a considerable amount of time.

“The events which you were part of sparked a series of incidents of mob violence in other places in the days and weeks which followed, the consequences being far reaching – not just for the people of Southport, but for the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder which causes injury, damage and fear to communities will, as you now appreciate, inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Liverpool Echo

Boy, 13, threw firework and stones at police during hotel rioting

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September 4, 2024
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The teenager, who cannot be named, avoided custody.

A 13-year-old boy who threw a lit firework and stones at police during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers “willingly and enthusiastically” joined in the disorder, a district judge has said.

The teenager, who cannot be named, avoided custody when he was given a 12-month youth referral order at Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday.

District Judge James Gould heard how the teenager joined a mob which besieged the Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

The youngster was filmed multiple times by police body-worn cameras throwing missiles at officers with shields outside the Holiday Inn Express.

In one clip, the boy was caught being handed a firework, which he lit and threw.

This fell just short of the officers’ shields, the court heard.

Judge Gould told the boy: “Whatever was within your reach you threw at police officers, including numerous stones.

“You willingly and enthusiastically took part in that disorder.”

He said: “You participated in that disorder at the highest level.”

Judge Gould said: “You asked for a firework, you lit it and you used it as a missile.”

The judge said the boy told the author of a pre-sentence report that he found it “exciting”.

He also ordered the boy’s family to pay a £26 statutory surcharge.

The disorder at Manvers led to 64 officers, three police horses and a police dog being injured as hundreds of protesters surrounded the hotel.

At one point some people got inside the building and tried to set it alight.

More than 30 people have now been sentenced for their part in the disorder in Manvers.

On Wednesday at Sheffield Youth Court, two others teenagers admitted being part of the violence.

A 17-year-old from the Rotherham area and a 16-year-old from Barnsley pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The 17-year-old was bailed to appear at the same court for sentencing on October 2.

Judge Gould also bailed the 16-year-old and ordered him to appear for sentencing at Barnsley Youth Court on October 15.

Another 17-year-old, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, appeared for sentencing before Judge Gould on Wednesday but had his case adjourned until September 18.

No details of these defendants’ involvement in the disorder was outlined in court on Wednesday.

Evening Standard

‘Lonely’ yob took advantage of Middlesbrough riot to raid Chinese takeaway and steal cash from till

By
September 4, 2024
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A “lonely” yob who “craved to be part of a group” jumped up and down “goading” a burglar to steal a till as hundreds caused chaos in Middlesbrough.

Burglar Bradley Playford “took advantage” of the town centre riots to steal from the Red Lantern restaurant. The 24-year-old was caught on CCTV throwing missiles at the windows of the Middlesbrough eatery before using his arm, then a bottle, to remove smashed glass from the door frame.

The Grove Hill man was later seen smashing the till from the Chinese takeaway – before sharing his loot with another burglar.

However, as the protest reached Clarendon Road items were thrown and police officers made the decision to form a line to prevent the mob from entering the road. Violence then erupted leading to windows being smashed, businesses damaged and missiles thrown.

At around 3.30pm, items were thrown at the Red Lantern restaurant on Parliament Road. The eatery was closed at the time and nobody was inside.

Playford, who was wearing red shorts, was caught on CCTV throwing items at the window causing it to smash. He then walks up to the door and uses his arm to remove smashed glass. He then comes back with a bottle to remove more glass from the sides of the door.

He is then spotted “jumping up and down and goading” another male to steal the till from inside the restaurant, Ms Masters said. The court is then shown another video, which was uploaded to TikTok with the caption ‘Middlesbrough has fallen’, showing Playford smashing the till on the floor before taking out money from inside the till.

In a victim personal statement, the owners daughter stated that they were “very frightened” and the damage to the restaurant was still being assessed. The owners were forced to close the eatery following the burglary.

‘Misguided desperation’

Jonathan Gittins, mitigating, stated that there was “no planning to go out and commit this offence” and it is the first time his client has been in trouble with the courts. The defence barrister described Playford as a “lonely and isolated individual”, adding that he suffers from mental health issues and “bullying”.

He added that Playford went to the protest to “see what was happening”, describing his actions as “opportunistic and impulsive”. The court heard that it was ‘misguided desperation to belong to a bad group’.

Mr Gittins added that Playford has lost his job and home due to his ‘stupid involvement in the shameful incident’. He added that his client’s actions were “out of character and baffling”.

His Honour Judge Francis Laird KC told Playford that he “encouraged” the unidentified male to enter the restaurant and steal the till. He also added that Playford stole money from the till and shared it with the male.

Judge Laird stated that Playford “craved to be one of the group” and took advantage of the disorder to “loot a restaurant”. Playford, of Shelley Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, was jailed for eight months.

MSN

‘Abusive’ wind turbine worker bitten by police dog after hurling brick at officers during riot

By
September 4, 2024
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John Barton, a wind turbine worker, threw a brick at police officers during the violent protest on Murray Street, in Hartlepool

An “aggressive and abusive” Teesside rioter was bitten by a police dog after he refused to move away from officers.

John Barton, who was “struggling” with his break up, met up with his pals in Hartlepool town centre for a drink on July 31. The dad then attended Murray Street with the group where hundreds had gathered for the violent protest.

The 33-year-old – who claimed he hadn’t done anything to police – had actually hurled a brick at police officers who were called in to control the growing mob. Prosecutor Rachel Masters told Teesside Crown Court that the evidence against Barton, who has a three-year-old daughter, was “overwhelming” and that he pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

The Middlesbrough court heard that on July 31 Cleveland Police were alerted to a number of social media posts circulating online that gave details of exact addresses of asylum seekers living in the Teesside area. “Pre-organised protests” were arranged and at 6pm a group gathered at the cenotaph in Hartlepool.

It quickly gathered in size with many members carrying England flags. By 8pm it had turned violent, Ms Masters said.

Barton was one of the men involved in the 200-strong protest – he was “present and participating”. At around 9.20pm on Murray Street, police officers were pushing back the crowd.

A man was seen hurling a brick at police officers and refusing to move back – that man was later identified as Barton. One officer, who had a police dog, “stood his ground”.

Barton was then bit by the dog in the stomach area, Ms Masters told the court. The prosecutor outlined that Barton had met his friends in the pub in the town centre earlier that afternoon for a drink.

They met another friend who told them about the protests which were “something to do with the incident in Southport”. The group then left the town centre and attended Murray Street where Barton was spotted “throwing items at police”. Ms Masters stated that in a police interview Barton claimed he hadn’t done anything and had been bitten by a police dog.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, stated that Barton’s “best mitigation” was that he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and that he has “genuine remorse”. The court heard that Barton’s time in custody has been a “sobering experience” as he has never been in custody before.

Ms Kitson-Parker added that her client has three previous convictions for four offences. “It is the biggest regret of his life,” she added.

At the time of the offence, Barton had broken up with his partner and “struggled” to get over it and had recently found out that his estranged father had died. Ms Kitson-Parker told His Honour Judge Francis Laird KC that Barton has worked in factories and in quality control on wind turbines for the past decade.

Judge Laird told Barton that he chose to take part in the disorder which led to businesses and members of the public “devastated” and “outraged”. He added that Barton was “persistently aggressive and abusive”.

Barton, of of Duke Street, Hartlepool, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Gazette Live

Man livestreamed his crime on Facebook then got his mum to write letter to judge

By
September 4, 2024
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John Lefevre launched a foul-mouthed tirade outside a church


A man livestreamed himself embarking upon a foul-mouthed tirade outside a church on Facebook.

John Lefevre has been warned to expect an immediate prison sentence over his vile rant, in which he called a disabled man a “one armed c***” and accused another victim of having “guns and bombs” in a suitcase.

The 35-year-old, of Albert Road in Widnes, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court via video link to HMP Altcourse this afternoon, Tuesday, charged with racially-aggravated harassment. He spoke to confirm his name before this count was put to him, to which he replied: “Guilty on my video.”

The charge concerns an incident on August 5 this year, which saw Lefevre post a Facebook Live video of himself confronting a group of men and women stood outside Trinity Methodist Church on Peel House Lane in the Cheshire town as it was hosting its weekly support session for refugees and asylum seekers. In the footage, seen by the ECHO, he was shown pointing his mobile phone’s camera in the face of one man while demanding: “Why are you over here lad? Why are you over here lad?”

Lefevre then turns to a man carrying a pink suitcase and asks: “What you got? Guns and bombs in that?”

He thereafter continues: “See that you dirty, greasy c***. I’ve got a picture of you. Didn’t the police let you off with something yesterday? You’re a dirty little b****rd.”

Lefevre is then captured saying to one older woman: “Why are you protecting these? Give me one clear answer. Why do you not look after our homeless that’s begging on our streets?”

He subsequently tells one man “don’t you dare smile at me you dirty, greasy b****rd”, before shouting to another: “You, you one armed c***. What have you done?”

Lefevre was also filmed saying: “Widnes is looking for you. F***ing dirty b****rd. Take all the pictures you want of me. Don’t look after any of our own. Widnes is looking for you lad, f***ing screaming in kids’ faces, banging on little kids’ windows, you f***ing horrible b****rd. Every f***ing one of yous. Why are they here?”

Carmel Wilde, defending, told the court today that her client “has various mental health issues” and “does have some previous convictions”. Lefevre will now be sentenced on September 24.

Recorder David Knifton KC said: “This was a disgraceful incident, not only racially abusive but also abusive to a person about his physical disability. In my view, this is a case which will call for immediate custody. I want the defendant to be under absolutely no illusions about the likely outcome in this case.

“I have read a letter from his mother which says he is not racist. It is patently nonsense. Not only did he video exactly what he did but he then uploaded it to Facebook, where it attracted further comments of a racist nature. All of this was taking place a week after the tragic events in Southport. We know exactly what sort of behaviour that has led to.”

Remanding Lefevre into custody and adjourning the case to enable the preparation of a pre-sentence report and to allow for a victim personal statement to be obtained, the judge added: “This is case which, in my judgement, fully calls for an immediate custodial sentence in light of your disgraceful behaviour outside the Methodist church in Widnes.”

Wearing a Berghaus zip-up top, the defendant began ranting “you just want to hope that lad doesn’t do anything” before being placed on mute by the court clerk.

Liverpool Echo

Teenage rioter sentenced for aggravated words and writing during riots in Blackpool

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September 4, 2024
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A Blackpool teenager has been sentenced in relation to the Blackpool riots.

Tyla Chalmers-Millington, 18, of Caunce Street was handed a four month prison sentence suspended for 24 months and 40 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge.

Chalmers-Millington was arrested and subsequently charged with racially or religiously aggravated and intentional harassment, alarm or distress in words or writing.

The case was heard at Preston Magistrates Court on September 3.
Blackpoll Gazette

Hartlepool men were goading police and encouraging riot

By
September 4, 2024
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Two men who became embroiled in civil disorder when a protest march descended into violence have been locked up.

James Elliott and Dylan Wiley were filmed as they became increasingly aggressive when confronted by a police cordon trying to prevent rioters from leaving the area.

Video footage shown to Teesside Crown Court captured 41-year-old Elliott repeatedly walking towards the officers and shouting abuse towards them as young children could be seen throwing metal objects at their riot shields.

And Wiley was among the group of people in Hartlepool town centre being aggressive towards police and the 28-y

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court, that the defendants were caught on film while in the Murray Street area of the town before playing the court the footage.

She told the court that Elliott had five previous convictions for five offences, including one for a public order offence and affray.

The court heard how Wiley had 41 convictions for 81 offences, including ones for criminal damage, possession of a blade and a racially aggravated fear of violence offence.

Elliott, of Raby Road, and Wiley, of St Catherine’s Court, both Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Jonathan Gittins, representing Elliott, said his client had not intended getting involved in the disorder but fully understands that his actions were encouraging the behaviour of others.

“Going along with the crowd places him in league with them,” he said. “He stayed and got caught up in the incident. He is insistent that he didn’t go in a pre-planned way and knows he should have left but didn’t.”

While Kelleigh Lodge, representing Wiley, said his client had become involved when he walked to the shop and came across the police cordon.

She added: “He deeply regrets his actions and is genuinely sorry for his behaviour by throwing things at the police officers.”

Judge Francis Laird KC told them that he accepted they were not motivated by political or racial stance but said custody was the only option available to him.

Addressing Elliott, who was described as an alcoholic, he said: “You appeared to be intoxicated and you were amongst the crowd that was jeering and you were encouraging others to commit acts of disorder.”

Turning to Wiley, he added: “You were captured on footage throwing items at officers and goading them.”

Elliott was jailed for 18 months and Wiley was locked up for two years.
Northern Echo

Hotel rioter jailed after ‘spreading hate’

By
September 3, 2024
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A man who stormed a hotel used to house asylum seekers and was part of a crowd chanting “burn it down” has been jailed for three years.

Craden McKenzie was one of about 400 people who gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August.

Sheffield Crown Court heard the 26-year-old unemployed labourer, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, was a “central participant in the most serious aspects” of the rioting.

At his sentencing hearing, McKenzie, of Doncaster Road, Darfield, was told he “richly deserved” the punishment imposed.

South Yorkshire Police said 64 officers, three police horses and a police dog were injured during the rioting.

Footage played in court showed missiles being thrown at police officers and at the building, with a group of men including McKenzie seen breaking into a side exit.

McKenzie walked around the hotel lobby “almost as if [he] owned the place” while staff were in hiding, the court heard.

He was also pictured in a crowd which attacked riot police with fire extinguishers and other items outside, with the group heard chanting “burn it down”.

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said McKenzie told officers he went to the hotel to “peacefully protest” and blamed the disorder on a “miscommunication between protesters and police”.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, rejected McKenzie’s explanation as “arrant nonsense”, adding: “It is clear the group of which you were a part of was desirous of provoking police officers, damaging the hotel and seeking out the occupants of hotel.

“Thereby you were spreading hate.”

Judge Richardson accepted McKenzie was not filmed throwing missiles, but said being at the front and actively encouraging others placed him in “the same league”.

He told the defendant: “You were involved as a central participant in the most serious aspects of the violent disorder which occurred on that day.”

McKenzie was also made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

Passing sentence, Judge Richardson said: “For a man with no previous convictions, going to prison for three years is a very serious matter.

“I’m afraid you richly deserve it.”

He continued: “Anyone who involves themselves in this form of public disorder must be punished, and punished severely.”

BBC News

Homeless man jailed for stealing during Manchester riots

By
September 3, 2024
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A homeless man has been jailed for 22 months at Manchester Crown Court today for stealing during riots on 3 August.

Scott Chadwick, 34, stole alcohol from a Sainsbury’s supermarket and tried to steal from a vape shop whilst the unrest occurred in the city centre.

Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Dean KC told him: “What you did has got nothing to do with protest, politics or events in Southport and everything to do with the mob mentality when people gathered.

“It’s just loutish, looting behaviour.

“This was utterly shameful behaviour of the type that plainly requires a sentence of immediate custody.”

BBC News