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A man and his girlfriend have been jailed for their involvement in violent disorder that broke out in Stoke-on-Trent amid a wave of unrest in the UK.

Ciaran Lockett and Deana Evans, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday over the disturbances in Hanley on 3 August.

Lockett, 34, was given a 32-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to violent disorder in which he aimed projectiles towards a mosque.

Evans, 32, was jailed for 20 months after admitting violent disorder and common assault of an emergency worker.

The disorder came as riots and anti-immigration protests took place across the UK at the beginning of August.

The unrest followed the fatal stabbings of three girls in Southport in July, and was fuelled by false rumours online the suspect in the killings was Muslim and an asylum seeker.

Dylan Wagg, prosecuting, said Lockett played a leading role in the disorder, which involved shouting at police officers and trying to push through their lines.

He was then seen throwing rocks and missiles over police and towards a mosque in the centre of Hanley.

Both Lockett and his partner Evans were caught on CCTV being verbally abusive towards officers, Staffordshire Police said after sentencing.

The force added the pair were also seen stopping a police van that was trying to get through the crowds on blue lights.

The court heard Evans had elbowed an officer while she was being arrested at the couple’s home on 22 August.

Steve Hennessy, defending, said they both “deeply regretted” their actions.

The court was told they had previously been homeless and struggling with drugs but they had managed to get themselves clean.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison, of Staffordshire Police, said: “We’ve been working tirelessly to review all of the evidence available to identify those involved in the disorder and take decisive action.

“More arrests, charges and convictions will follow across Staffordshire as we continue to act on information from the public and put a stop to those who subjected our communities to senseless violence.”

Staffordshire Police has arrested 60 people and charged 25 in connection with the unrest in Hanley and also Tamworth.

BBC News

A further two people have been sentenced for their involvement in the violent disorder which descended onto the streets of Plymouth earlier this month.

So far, a total of 25 people have been charged and 19 people have been sentenced for their part in the unrest which gripped the city on the evening of Monday 5 August.

With what started out as two planned protests in the city turned into violent disorder with bottles and bricks being launched in all directions, with much of the violence aimed at police officers who had put themselves in-between the two opposing protest groups.

Jamie West, aged 34 of Park Avenue, Devonport, was also sentenced today to 20 months in prison for his role in the incident. West was captured on CCTV footage at the top of Royal Parade, after the protest had surged from the central part of the city centre to the top. He was seen picking up items and throwing them at officers and members of the public while shouting abuse.

Paul Braidwood, aged 44 of Ward Place, Plymouth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Truro Crown Court on 21 August and received 20 months in prison. The court had heard how Braidwood, who had been wearing a mask across the bottom of his face, had been part of a group of approximately 50 people walking up the Royal Parade towards an opposing group who had also congregated in the area.

Braidwood spouted verbal abuse at an officer before pulling them to the ground and punching them in the face. While on the floor, the officer was then kicked in the head by another individual before being helped up by colleagues.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “These convictions feature men from each opposing group who decided to resort to violence that night.

“The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the incident and the real threat that our communities faced.

“Today’s outcome sends a clear message that we don’t discriminate, if you break the law, threaten public safety, and harm communities, we will pursue you and bring you to justice.

ACC Longman added: “We remain proud of what our officers achieved that night in bringing the disorder under control and I wish to thank the public for their ongoing support in our pursuit of justice.”

Devon and Cornwall Police

Prison terms are continuing to be handed out to those involved in the civil unrest earlier this month

More rioters have faced justice for their part in the civil unrest across Greater Manchester earlier this month.

Prosecutors have charged over 520 people following disorder across the UK, with the CPS saying they are ‘working around the clock’ with police to ‘deliver swift justice.’ In Piccadilly Gardens, a thug involved in an attack on a lone black man was jailed for 28 months.

In Bolton, two men were jailed for hurling missiles at the police as they tried to separate two rival factions during the disorder. And in Newton Heath, one man was handed 18 months in jail after he joined in with disorder outside a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers whilst on his way home from the pub.

Niall Charnock


A rioter barged through a police barrier into a ‘neutral zone’ before launching a ‘plastic bottle’ at police officers during large-scale violent disorder in Bolton.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Niall Charnock, 31, was captured on video footage shared online ‘throwing a missile’ at officers and breaking down the barrier during protests in the Greater Manchester town on August 4.

Demonstrators and counter-protesters clashed outside Bolton town hall earlier this month as missiles were thrown at police. Chief Constable Stephen Watson previously said the ‘orchestrated criminality’ had nothing to do with lawful protest. Charnock was jailed for 26 months.

Mark BridgefordA thug who launched a ‘hammer fist’ at a lone black man during unrest in Greater Manchester has pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Mark Bridgeford, 50, of Delaney Heights, Salford, has been warned he faces a lenghty sentence


A grandfather has been jailed for joining a mob attack on a lone black male – the latest rioter to face justice for the sickening violence that erupted in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3.

Footage played in a court showed ‘cowardly’ Mark Bridgeford, 50, from Salford, was part of a mob of white men who attacked a lone black male in the square as a protest and counter protest erupted in violence.

The grandfather-of-five admitted he shouted at riot cops who moved in to protect the man ‘sort your own f***ing country out’ after he had punched and kicked his victim.
Bridgeford, of Canon Street in Salford, nodded to the judge as he was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to one offence of violent disorder.

Nigel Simpson



A rioter who was captured on CCTV launching an ‘item’ at the police told a court: “I was picking things up, officer.” Appearing on videolink from HMP Hewell, Nigel Simpson, 57, was jailed for over two years after footage captured him during the protests in Bolton on August 4.

At one stage he charged at counter protesters before running away whilst holding an England flag. He was then seen with a group who were hurling various items in the direction of the police, before he bent down and ‘collected’ items from the floor. He then launched a ‘missile’ at the cops, hitting one who turned round to see where it came from. Judge Walsh jailed Simpson, of Deerfold, Chorley, for 28 months.

Lewis Whitworth
Lewis Whitworth

A convicted drug dealer who took part in a ‘frightening’ attack outside a hotel which housed asylum seekers has been jailed.

On his way home from the pub, Lewis Whitworth, 30, a trainee mechanic, kicked a bus and joined a baying mob which hurled missiles and abuse at asylum seekers outside the premises close to his home in Newton Heath.


Charlie Mott
Charlie Mott


A lawless looter encouraged others to ransack a Sainsburys during widespread disorder in Manchester city centre.

Charlie Mott, 28, was captured on CCTV footage wearing a face covering as he gestured to a large group of rioters to go into the store on Mosley Street. He then followed them in, and stole numerous items.
As others stole large amounts of alcohol, one man was seen to run out of the store carrying bunches of bananas. A judge described it as ‘delinquent behaviour’ which ‘took advantage’ of the unrest.

Mott, of Eccles, was jailed for 18 months.

Manchester Evening News

A total of 12 people have now been jailed following the riots in Bristol

A man who launched a metal fence panel at police officers during a protest-turned disorder has been jailed. George Coldicott, 28 of Leominster, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following clashes between far-right anti-immigrant groups, counter-protesters and police officers in both Bristol and London.

In London, on July 31, Coldicott was captured on police body camera footage throwing a metal fence panel at a police officer. Video captured in Bristol show him also launching an object at officers.

He was arrested and charged for violent disorder in both cities and pleaded guilty to both offences. Coldicott was sentenced today (August 30) to 22 months in prison for the London offence and 34 months for his role in the Bristol disorder, to run concurrently.

Coldicott was jailed alongside 36-year-old Ashley Harris of Kingswood, who also admitted violent disorder over the riot in Bristol city centre on August 3. Both men were part of a group which used or threatened violence and caused others to fear for their safety, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Clement Goodwin said: “Both Harris and Coldicott played a significant part in the significant violent disorder we saw in Bristol on 3 August. Their actions put the public and police officers at risk. Judges have recognised this and handed them both lengthy prison sentences.

“Our investigation is now well underway with 43 people having been arrested and 29 being charged. Twelve people have now been jailed for their involvement in the shocking disorder in Bristol.”

Avon and Somerset Police continue to appeal for the public’s help to identify a number of people we want to speak to as part of the investigation. Their images, and details of how to provide information, can be found online.

Bristol Post

Brandon Welch, 18, also shouted racial slurs during the violence in Darlington

A teenager who livestreamed violent disorder in Darlington and urged rioters to smash up people and property has been convicted.

Brandon Welch filmed and live posted the disorder on his TikTok account, during which he encouraged people to smash cars, property, and people up. The 18-year-old also shouted racial slurs during the disorder, which happened on the evening of Monday, August 5. The riot in Darlington was one of several which took place across the country.

Welch was arrested the following morning at his home in the Whinfield area of Darlington after officers identified him through his TikTok account.

He was charged with violent disorder, which he admitted during a hearing at Teesside Crown Court this week, and was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing on Tuesday, October 15.

Dozens of police officers were deployed to the North Lodge Park area of Darlington after two large groups of mostly males had gathered just after 9pm. This resulted in small pockets of serious violence, which saw bricks being thrown at police officers who attended the scene.

Chief Insp Victoria Cubby, from Durham Constabulary, said: “The scenes we saw in Darlington that evening were atrocious and will not be tolerated. I hope this sends a clear message that anyone who commits these types of offences and tries to incite violence in our communities, that your actions have very real consequences.”

Gazette live

A man and his girlfriend have been jailed for their involvement in violent disorder that broke out in Stoke-on-Trent amid a wave of unrest in the UK.

Ciaran Lockett and Deana Evans from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday over the disturbances in Hanley on 3 August.

At the hearing, Lockett, 34, was given a 32-month prison sentence for violent disorder.

Evans, 32, was jailed for 20 months for violent disorder and common assault of an emergency worker.

Riot police were deployed in Hanley when violence broke out, with three officers injured.

The incident came as riots and anti-immigration protests took place across the UK at the beginning of August.

The unrest followed the fatal stabbings of three girls in Southport in July, and was fuelled by false rumours online the suspect in the killings was Muslim and an asylum seeker.

BBC News

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder during a protest in Dorset.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Eden Reboul, from Weymouth, threw a can of drink at a row of police officers.

About 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered on the Esplanade on 4 August, along with about 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators.

Reboul told police he had not taken his medication for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which made him irrational.

The court heard that the defendant had also accepted a conditional caution from police for an unconnected incident of unlawful violence later on the same day.

His defence barrister said Reboul denied being a racist, did not have views on immigration and had “got caught up” in the protest that was happening near his home.

In a letter to the judge, Reboul said: “I am so very sorry for my stupid actions, I have never been so ashamed in my life.”

“It’s been the biggest wake-up call in my life,” he added.

Judge Robert Pawson said there needed to be a deterrent sentence and that public violence “has no place in a society like ours”.

“It’s easy to mischaracterise your behaviour as just throwing an empty can but when you involved yourself with others in mass disorder, it’s the conduct of the group taken together which is of central importance, whatever an individual’s acts may be,” Judge Pawson added.

“Violence in public rarely, if ever, changes minds, it does little more than feed resentment and resistance.”

BBC News

A refugee has been jailed for attacking a car and setting tyres on fire during recent disorder.

Abderrahim Elmuoden, 20, of Wilmslow Close in North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage, violent disorder, arson and two counts of burglary following the disorder in Hull city centre on 3 August.

Elmuoden, who fled Morocco for a new life in the UK, was sentenced to 45 months in prison at Hull Crown Court earlier.

Judge John Thackray KC said the defendant’s “particular part” in “12 hours of hate-fuelled mob violence” included attacking a car with a shopping trolley while three men inside “feared for their lives”.

Elmuoden was also seen on CCTV throwing tyres on a fire outside a garage and “left them to burn”, where nearby the judge said “the occupants, including children, were left to cower”.

Prosecutor Jeremy Evans also showed footage of Elmuoden, who appeared in court with the support of an interpreter, looting the O2 and Shoezone stores.

In mitigation for Elmuoden, barrister Rachel Scott said he had left Morocco after his mother died in 2021, as he had no other family there.

She said he was “sorry for his offending” and “in his own words, has ruined his life”.

She told the court he had been in Hull to visit his fiancée, and had been drinking before heading to meet a friend, at which point he got “caught up” in the disorder.

Mrs Scott told the court her client “did not hold racist views” and was now worried about his status as a refugee following the conviction.

Also jailed for his part in the disorder was Scott Rushworth, 33, of Lambwath Hall Court in Hull.

Appearing at Hull Crown Court earlier for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder, the court heard Rushworth had been part of of a group who attacked a police officer and took their shield.

Rushworth could be seen posing with the shield on CCTV footage shown in court.

In mitigation for Rushworth, his defence barrister said their client was an “excellent father” who “did not hold racist views”, but was “disgusted by himself” for the part he played in the disorder.

Sentencing Rushworth to 28 months in prison, Judge Thackray said the footage he had seen was “horrifying and depressing”, and said 11 officers had been injured in the disorder – including one who had been “permanently scarred”.

The judge said Rushworth, who had a history of offending including a football banning order, was “at one point at the front of the disorder”, and was “in the thick of it” when the officer was “tackled to the ground”.

Rushworth also received a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from gathering with others in a way people might find intimidating.

Orders removed and adjusted

Also at Hull Crown Court earlier, several defendants who were previously handed CBOs had them removed.

The review came after it was highlighted to the judge that many of the defendants did not meet the criteria as their previous offending did not warrant it.

Judge Thackray removed five-year CBOs previously handed out to the following defendants:

John Honey, 25

Stuart Randall, 55

Connor Whitely, 26

Jermaine Glover, 23

Jordan Murray, 26

Two defendants, David Buckle, 39, and Steven Love, 41, had their orders upheld but the date of the orders was brought back to the day they were sentenced rather than the date they leave prison.

One defendant, Christopher Douglas, 35, needed his order changed by Judge Bury, so a hearing was arranged for 9 September.

One final defendant, David Wilkinson, 46, did not appear for the hearing so will be called back at a later date for his hearing.

BBC News



A man who told police he had “no regrets” after taking part in a riot in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Brad Westerman was filmed throwing items through a window of the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The 24-year-old, of Washington Road in Goldthorpe, Barnsley, previously admitted a charge of violent disorder.

Sentencing him at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said Westerman had “wrecked his own life”.

Westerman was arrested when police went to detain his friend and co-rioter Jordan Teal, who was at the same house.

Judge Richardson said the violence carried out by people such as Westerman was so severe, some injured police officers had still not returned to work.

Video was played to the court which showed Westerman jumping around in his grey hoody and shorts.

He was present when a bin was thrown through a window at the hotel, with the prosecution saying he was “front and centre” during the violence.

During the window fitter’s arrest, he told officers he had “no regrets for what he had done”.

The judge said this “vile attitude… reveals your mindset”.

The case was held without Westerman’s friends and family in the court following previous disorder in the public gallery when people were shouting during the hearing.

‘Truly shocking’

During the violence, 64 police officers were injured with some not having returned to duty, Judge Richardson said.

Three police horses and a police dog were also injured and have since returned to work.

“The fact that that number of police officers were injured and the police animals were also injured is a measure of how serious this incident was,” the judge added.

Westerman was told during sentencing that people in the hotel were “fearful for their lives” during the “truly shocking and outrageous incident”.

“You richly deserve it,” the judge added, as he jailed Westerman.

BBC News

A self-employed businessman who punched a woman and threw a can at police during disorder in a city centre has been jailed for three years.

Ashley Harris, 36, of Chipperfield Drive, Kingswood, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after his “significant” role in the unrest in Bristol on 3 August.

The disorder occurred when hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park.

Footage played to Bristol Crown Court showed Harris clashing with police and counter protesters, throwing punches, hurling a can at police, and encouraging others to join in.

Harris is the 11th person to be jailed for their involvement in the unrest, with a total of 41 people arrested so far and 28 having been charged.

Widespread disorder broke out across England after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July, with false claims spread online about the person responsible.

The court was told how Harris was involved in early altercations in Castle Park before punching a female counter-protester outside the Mercure Hotel, which was believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Jailing Harris for three years, Judge James Patrick said: “Right at the start of the protest you were in Castle Park, squaring up to the police officers and were aggressive to others.

“As the police attempted to maintain order you were front and centre of what was going on as the crowd chanted, ‘We want our country back’.

“You threw a can at police officers and only backed off when police dogs forced the crowd back.”

Judge Patrick added Harris was “swearing at police officers and goading them” outside the hotel, before “throwing a punch at a woman”.

The court was also told how Harris was struck on the head by a flying object as he “charged” at a group of counter-protestors.

“The footage I have seen shows you strike out at a number of people, you were encouraging the group and at the front and centre of the movement towards the Mercure,” Judge Patrick said.

“You were significantly more involved than others. You participated in widespread acts of violence which was persistent and sustained.

“I note that you are sorry and ashamed. I hope that is true and simply not hollow words,” he added.

BBC News