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‘That hotel is getting burned down today,” grandfather-of-seven told police officers during Rotherham riots

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August 21, 2024
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A grandfather-of-seven and a former soldier involved in a peace-keeping operation were among five men jailed today for their roles in the Rotherham riots, as they were told they have brought shame on their families.

As the total number of people charged in connection with the widespread violent disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers Rotherham reached 54, five more men were sentenced and jailed at Sheffield Crown Court today for their roles in the riots.

All of the men were brought before South Yorkshire’s most senior judge, The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, during five separate Sheffield Crown Court hearings.

Judge Richardson invariably told the five different men their participation in the riots on August 4, 2024 was ‘shameful’ and that they had brought their prison sentences upon themselves.

During the course of today’s proceedings, he described the incident, during which 51 police officers, three police dogs and one police horse were injured, as being ‘racist from first to last’.

Judge Richardson also said he believes the incident is likely to have ‘historic notoriety,’ not just in the minds of those living in South Yorkshire, but across the country too.

Around 750 people are believed to have been present during the disorder, and in an update issued today South Yorkshire Police confirmed that 35 people of the 54 charged so far have been convicted, after entering guilty pleas.

Among those sentenced today is a dad-of-two whose criminal behaviour is likely to result in his family being made homeless, a well-respected veteran, a grandfather-of-seven and a man whose new wife is said to be ‘disgusted’ by his behaviour.

Sentencing of Peter Beard

A former solider who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo , Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Father-of-three Peter Beard , 43, of Becknoll Road, Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham , was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob confronting officers outside the Holiday Inn Express.

The court heard how Beard’s aggression toward the officers came at a critical time in the rioting after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.

Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and the judge said he was “astonished” that the defendant had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper. Sentencing former solider, Judge Richardson KC told him: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and, in many respects, astonishing.

“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British Army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation.

“You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones.

“You know what it is like to be under attack and, yet, there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.

“That’s why I have described your conduct as astonishing.

“You have been, so to speak, a victim yourself and here you are falling for sentence as a perpetrator.”

The judge said: “It really is astonishing that I am required to pass a sentence of that kind on an individual such as you.

“This is a disaster for you. It’s a disaster for your family.”

Sentencing of Michael Bailey

A grandfather-of-seven ‘gleefully’ told a police officer ‘it’s happening today, that hotel’s getting burned down today’ during widespread disorder outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.

Sheffield Crown Court was shown body-worn footage of 50-year-old Michael Bailey, who was dressed in a red England shirt and seen to be drinking alcohol during parts of the disorder, making the comment to a police officer.

Judge Richardson, who branded the utterance ‘racist,’ told Bailey: “You made that observation in the midst of disorder of a considerable degree. You said it gleefully to the police officer.

“You knew exactly what was going to happen, moreover it did happen.”

The court has previously heard of a large industrial bin being set alight and placed in the way of the hotel’s fire exit during the course of the disorder, following which attempts were made to place a second bin on top of it and to set that on fire.

Bailey’s conduct did not end there, prosecutor, Joseph Bell, told the court, adding that Bailey was one of two men who lay in the road in an attempt to prevent a police dog van from moving off.

Describing what happened next, Judge Richardson added: “A wing mirror had been damaged by others. You knocked it off. The driver, thus, couldn’t see what was going on behind him in the midst of this disorder. It was very unsafe, it was very dangerous.”

Bailey, of Hawthorne Drive, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19, 2024.

Defending, Emma Coverley, told the court that Bailey, who has no other criminal convictions, saw information regarding a peaceful protest being shared online, and walked to the scene of the disorder alone.

Ms Coverley stressed that while Bailey talked about the hotel being burned down he had ‘never indicated that he would be involved with that’.

She told the court that Bailey has three adult children and seven grandchildren, for whom he plays a ‘very active role in their care’.

Ms Coverley told the court that while Bailey’s wife, who was present in court to support him, works, he is the main breadwinner and their finances were likely to be detrimentally affected by a prison sentence.

She agreed with Judge Richardson’s suggestion that the couple may now lose their house.

Judge Richardson sentenced Bailey to two years, four months in custody, along with a 10-year criminal order, and told him: “It defies belief, almost, that a man aged 50 with a respectable family should behave as you did, but you did, and you must be punished.”

“You have brought ruin upon yourself, and upon your family. You are the architect of that disaster.”

A dad-of-two who had turned his life around after a troubled criminal past has been told his family should be ‘deeply ashamed’ of him, after he donned a balaclava and participated in several parts of the ‘notorious’ disorder at a Rotherham hotel, during which over 50 police officers were injured.

Judge Richardson judged 27-year-old Jordan Teal to have played a part ‘in almost every theatre of activity and serious activity in particular’ during the events that unfolded outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham on August 4.

The court heard how Teal’s partner, who has significant health problems, and the couple’s two children may now be facing homelessness due to not being able to keep up with mortgage payments while he is behind bars.

“You’ve wrecked your family,” said Judge Richardson, and told him that his family should be ‘deeply ashamed’ of him.

Detailing Teal’s ‘extensive’ role, which he described as ‘racist from first to last,’ Judge Richardson continued: “You were outside the front of the hotel shouting abuse at the police officers, protecting the front entrance. You were wearing a balaclava, and you said – in a venomous fashion: “Police protecting paedophiles inside the hotel’.

“You were also chanting, along with others: ‘Save our kids’.

“You were being as provocative as provocative could be. You were uttering venomous comments towards the occupants of the hotel. You were intent on violence, that is self-evident.”

“You went around to an area of the hotel where there was a fence. You were part of a group who ripped up that fence. That fence was to be used, and indeed was used, as a form of missile.

“As part and parcel of that, you were part of a group who smashed windows and attacked, in a vicious, violent and deliberate fashion, that attacked the hotel, thereby terrifying the occupants.”

“Finally, you were part of a group after that, hurling high-octane abuse at police officers.”

Teal, aged 34, of Railway Terrace, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19.

Prosecutor, Joseph Bell, told the court that Teal has a criminal record consisting of 13 previous offences from nine convictions, the most recent of which was a decade ago in 2014.

Defending Emma Coverley told the court that Teal is a father to two young children, aged two and seven, adding that his last conviction in 2014 had been a ‘turning point,’ following which he had found gainful work as a groundskeeper.

“In fact that has allowed the family to buy a house,” Ms Coverley said.

Ms Coverley detailed how Teal’s partner is unable to work because she has epilepsy, something she described as a ‘significant health problem,’ and said she had been reliant upon Teal’s care.

She told the court that Teal’s partner was almost certainly going to be unable to make the mortgage payments on her own.

Jailing Teal for two years, eight months, Judge Richardson said: “[Your partner] is almost certainly going to be made homeless…your children will be put out of their house.”

“All of this misery – and make no mistake there will be misery – that you have caused your family is down to you. Public shaming, economic deprivation, they will suffer because of your actions.”

Judge Richardson also made Teal the subject of a 10-year criminal behaviour order.

Sentencing of Lewis Merritt

A 27-year-old man, who involved himself in four separate parts of the disorder outside the Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers, ‘endeavoured to camouflage his identity’ and prevent justice from being done, a Sheffield judge has said.

The court heard how Lewis Merritt, who was dressed all in light blue, wore a balaclava for much of his involvement in the Rotherham riots, but was still identified by police.

“You were masked. That was an endeavour to camouflage your identity so police would not be able to arrest you and bring you to justice in this court,” Judge Richardson said.

Prosecutor, Joseph Bell, said Merritt’s criminal behaviour began when he ‘grabbed hold’ of a police officer who was already on the ground, after being knocked down by others.

Merritt denied being one of the individuals to knock her to the ground when he entered a guilty plea to the offence of assault of an emergency worker during a Sheffield Magistrates’ Court hearing on August 16. He also entered a guilty plea to a second offence of violent disorder during the same hearing.

The second part of Merritt’s involvement, while he was still masked, related to what Judge Richardson described as an ‘attack’ upon a police dog van as it attempted to escape the disorder.

“You were part of a group throwing missiles at police officers who were trying to keep law and order,” Judge Richardson said, detailing the third part of Merritt’s involvement.

He continued: “When the hotel was eventually breached, windows were smashed, individuals go inside. You were well to the fore…it was a terrifying episode, it was a racist episode, it was truly shocking from first to last.”

Mr Bell told the court that Merritt, of Victoria Road, Balby, Doncaster, has 24 offences from 13 convictions on his record – the majority of which are for driving matters, including dangerous driving and was on licence from a 25-month sentence for the offence of burglary when he participated in the Rotherham disorder.

Defending, Dermot Hughes said there was no ‘getting away’ from the seriousness of Merritt’s offending, adding that Merritt is ‘ashamed of himself’.

Mr Hughes said that prior to the disorder, Merritt had found work as a ‘chicken catcher of all things,’ and while Merritt knows he must stay where he is in custody, the work has been gained through a personal connection and he is ‘hopeful’ he may be able to return to it when he is released from custody.

Judge Richardson sentenced Merritt to two years, eight months in custody, and made him the subject of a 10-year community order.

“You were one of those well to the fore in those four separate incidents that afternoon…it was shameful, it was disgusting and it must be punished,” Judge Richardson told Merritt.

https://x.com/i/status/1826624726560899331

Sentencing of Lewis Lynch

A Rotherham man who got married just three months ago was told his actions in the Rotherham disorder were likely to cause ‘ruination’ for his family.

30-year-old Lewis Lynch was another this afternoon’s defendants who involved himself in multiple parts of the disorder at the Holiday Inn Express, despite having numerous responsibilities including a new wife and a promising job.

Speaking after the court had been shown detailed video footage of Lynch’s involvement, Judge Richardson told him: “You are a married man. You married your wife in May of this year. She is – I am told – disgusted by what you did. Your family are present sitting in the public gallery of this Crown Court sitting in what can only be described as shocked silence, just as any decent person would be.”

He added: “You’ve truly wrecked your life, and the lives of many others

The court heard how Lynch, who had no criminal convictions, prior to the incident of widespread violence was caught on camera involving himself in five separate incidents, all of which Judge Richardson branded ‘comprehensively shameful, comprehensively violent, comprehensively racist’.

Lynch, while wearing a mask, was seen to ‘confront police officers,’ before becoming involved in what has been termed as the ‘fire door incident’ where the hotel was breached and damaged was caused by some of those involved in the disorder.

Judge Richardson said Lynch was part of a group, or ‘mob,’ who were seen carrying chairs and other items including fire extinguishers out of the hotel.

“Chairs, fire extinguishers, pieces of wood and other missiles were hurled at them,” Judge Richardson said, noting that the officers were at that time vastly outnumbered by members of the various people participating in the disorder.

Judge Richardson said he regarded Lynch to have played a ‘prominent part’ of that group.

He added: “After that you sought to challenge officers in a particularly violent fashion.

The court heard how Lynch became involved in an incident involving a police dog van, which was prevented from leaving the area, before being shaken and rocked.

“You prevented the police vehicle from moving off,” Judge Richardson said, before adding: “There came a point when you joined in in rocking and shaking the vehicle, such that it could have been toppled over, causing injury to both those inside the vehicle and those outside.”

The court heard how Lynch ‘kicked out’ at a police officer in the final part of his involvement.

Lynch, aged 30, of Burman Road, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 16.

Defending, Dermot Hughes said Lynch earned a good wage in his role as a machine operator, and said Lynch knows that someone will now have to ‘fill his shoes’ while he is in custody, and he is likely to lose his job as a consequence.

Mr Hughes said that from May this year, when Lynch was married, to now, Lynch had managed to go from ‘setting himself up for life to taking that all away’.

“He will have ruination for years to come,” remarked Judge Richardson.

Describing Lynch’s conduct as an ‘afternoon of madness,’ Mr Hughes suggested he had become involved out of ‘curiosity not ideology’ and has already suffered some ‘punishment’ through the shame he has brought upon his family.

Judge Richardson sentenced Lynch to two years, eight months in custody, and handed him a 10-year criminal behaviour order.
Sheffield Star

Mum says ‘love you, it’s ok’ as son with ‘promising future’ jailed for ‘night of madness’

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August 21, 2024
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The landscape gardener hurled missiles at police officers during violent scenes in Southport

A “well behaved and hard working” man ruined his life during one night of madness.

Jake Lowther had never found himself in trouble with the police before he hurled missiles at officers as violent scenes unfolded in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar last month.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that around 50 police officers were injured as a 1,000-strong crowd descended on St Luke’s Road in the town on the evening of July 30. Rioters thereafter hurled missiles, “damaged and looted” properties and chanted “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b*******s” and “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?” as the nearby mosque on Sussex Road became the “focus” of the violence.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Lowther, of Abrams Fold in Banks, was captured on video throwing “two pieces of rock or concrete” towards PCs and was “seen to be part of the mob as it moved towards officers”. The 20-year-old then “appeared to meet up with another male and a female” and left the scene with them.

He was subsequently circulated as wanted by Merseyside Police and handed himself in at Copy Lane Police Station on August 11. Under interview following his arrest, Lowther told detectives he “threw a block of concrete” then “went back and threw stones” but had “no intention to hit anyone”.

The landscape gardener added that he “got caught up in the moment”, having travelled to Southport with friends by car to “drive past the vigil”. He said they then “got wind of what was happening and got involved”.

Lowther has no previous convictions. Stuart Mills, defending, told the court his client suffers from ADHD and added: “Mr Lowther believes the impulsivity that condition creates is a significant feature in his involvement in these matters. He tells me he had heard that something was going on.

“He attended out of curiosity and to see what was going on. He tells me that he came from the other end of an alleyway and found himself right at the front of what was going on. He had no idea he was going to be coming out at the frontline. Then, he says, he was swept up in what was going on. He cannot explain it.

“Looking at his background, one cannot see any other reason for him to do what he did. He is not that kind of young man. Something made him behave in the way that he did. I asked him, do you think it was a herd mentality? His words were ‘it was me being caught in the moment’. He recognises it is disgraceful.

“His parents are utterly distraught with what he has got involved in. His involvement in this had absolutely nothing to do with racial hatred or a political motivation of any kind. His antecedent history would confirm that it is out of character for him. He is somebody in employment. He is a young man with prospects.

“He has worked diligently since coming out of school. He is presently working as a landscaper. His employers speak very highly of him, to the extent that he says he will keep his employment open to him.

“He is, in many respects, a very lucky young man. He has so many people to rally round him in an extremely traumatic situation. He has a stable lifestyle and a loving family. He is someone who has very much learned his lesson arising out of this incident and is unlikely to get himself in a situation which will bring him back before the courts.”

Lowther admitted violent disorder and was handed 18 months in a young offenders’ institute. He nodded when his mum told him “love you, it’s ok” as he was led to the cells, while she added “thank you, thank you” to the judge as she left the courtroom.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “Following the tragic events which took place in Southport on the 29th of July this year, serious disorder in the form of vandalism, intimidation and violence – much of which was motivated by religious and racial hatred – spread across Merseyside and into other cities across the UK. That disorder brought fear and destruction to local communities.

“There is an overwhelming obligation on the courts to do what they can to ensure the protection of the public. Consequently, those who choose to participate in disturbances of the magnitude that have occurred recently – causing injury, damage and fear to law abiding members of the community and to police officers doing there best to protect them – must expect to receive severe sentences, intended both to punish them and deter others. This particular incident is made all the more serious by the fact that it took place soon after and nearby to the events of the previous day, undoubtedly adding to the distress already felt by the local community.

“I accept that you later regretted what you had done and handed yourself in to the police, and that you are genuinely remorseful. I have read references from people who know you well.

“There is clearly another side to your character, but that will provide little comfort to those who have been affected by your actions. It is clear that you are ordinarily a well behaved and hard working man, and on this occasion your actions were out of character.”

Liverpool Echo

He flew back from a holiday in Greece but was arrested and went straight to prison

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August 21, 2024
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A woman in the public gallery of the court cried ‘he never done nothing Tommy’ as he was jailed



A rioter who hurled a missile towards the police flew home from a holiday in Greece and was sent straight to prison.

Thomas Whitehead was arrested at an airport as he returned to the UK, having become embroiled within violent scenes which unfolded in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar last month.

Cries of “he never done nothing” were heard in court as he was locked up this afternoon, Wednesday. Appearing alongside him in the dock was Daniel Carrigan, who claims he visited the seaside town to “pay his respects” to the victims but instead snorted cocaine and trashed a police van.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today that around 50 police officers were injured as a 1,000-strong crowd descended on St Luke’s Road in the town on the evening of July 30. Rioters thereafter hurled missiles, “damaged and looted” properties and chanted “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b******s” and “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?” as the nearby mosque on Sussex Road became the “focus” of the violence.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, described how Carrigan, of Preston Grove in Anfield, was seen kicking at a police van and throwing two items “one after the other” at one of its windows. The 41-year-old handed himself in at St Anne Street Police Station on August 14 after being circulated as wanted.

Under interview, he “accepted he was involved in the violent disorder and causing damage to the police carrier” and said he had taken the train to Southport “with the intention of paying his respects”. But, having taken cocaine and seen a “large crowd gathering”, Carrigan stated he “got carried away and threw bottles” at the van.

He added he “doesn’t know why he got involved”, but was “venting frustration at the government”. His criminal record shows convictions for eight offences, including battery in 2007 and being handed a suspended prison sentence for racially-aggravated assault in 2016 after telling a traffic warden “he should return back to his own country”.

Charles Lander, defending Carrigan, told the court: “His first words to me today were his insistence that I must say at the outset that he wants to apologise for his actions. He is embarrassed by his actions and wants everyone to know he is sorry for what he did.”

Mr Lander said of his client’s drug use: “It has caused harm to his relationships with his family, his own daughter, his parents and friends. He has lost work, and he knows his cocaine addiction at the time of the offence was out of control. He is determined to learn from this. He did not go to cause violence. He got carried away with the mob.”

Whitehead, of Pool Street in Southport, was meanwhile “seen in and amongst the large group” and threw an item towards the cordon of officers and police vehicles at one stage. The 53-year-old was arrested on August 13 at Manchester Airport, which the ECHO understands came as he was returning from a holiday in Greece.

When interviewed, the dad-of-three told detectives that he had “been at a public house and noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening”. Whitehead “accepted throwing an item” but said he “didn’t believe it had hit any of the officers”.

He has 18 previous convictions for 47 offences between 1987 and 1998. His counsel Paul Wood said: “He is a family man and he is a working man.

“He had gone to the vigil. He does not know what on Earth took hold of him when he threw that one missile. He is absolutely distraught with what he has done.

“He does not seek to justify it in any way. There are many victim as far as this behaviour is concerned. The town of Southport is very much a victim.

“This defendant hangs his head in shame. He has worked for many years as a self-employed gardener. Whatever convictions he had, he fortunately turned his life around.

“He has many characteristics as a family man and a hard working individual who has provided for his family. It goes against the grain of what he stands for. He has absolutely no intention of ever appearing before these courts again.”

Carrigan, who made a love heart sign with his hands towards his supporters in the public gallery at one stage during the hearing, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage. He nodded and said “thank you” after being jailed for 32 months, then added “love you mum, don’t be angry, love yous all” as he was led to cells.

Whitehead admitted violent disorder. A woman in public gallery was heard saying “he never done nothing Tommy” as he was imprisoned for 20 months.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “Following the tragic events which took place in Southport on the 29th of July this year, serious disorder in the form of vandalism, intimidation and violence – much of which was motivated by religious and racial hatred – spread across Merseyside and into other cities across the UK. That disorder brought fear and destruction to local communities.

“There is an overwhelming obligation on the courts to do what they can to ensure the protection of the public. Consequently, those who choose to participate in disturbances of the magnitude that have occurred recently – causing injury, damage and fear to law abiding members of the community and to police officers doing there best to protect them – must expect to receive severe sentences, intended both to punish them and deter others. This particular incident is made all the more serious by the fact that it took place soon after and nearby to the events of the previous day, undoubtedly adding to the distress already felt by the local community.”

Liverpool Echo

Man pleads guilty over Weymouth protest

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August 21, 2024
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A 27-year-old man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder during a protest in Weymouth.

Eden Reboul, from Weymouth, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday.

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

Two police officers were injured. A number of people have since been charged with disorder and other offences.

The protest was one of a number across England and Northern Ireland following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest fuelled by misinformation posted online.

BBC News

Three jailed for ‘utterly deplorable’ violence

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August 21, 2024
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A man who charged at police officers with a long metal bench is among three men who have been jailed for their part in violent unrest in Hull.

The violence in the city centre on 3 August, which erupted after three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport, was “utterly deplorable”, Judge John Thackray told Hull Crown Court.

Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, Hull, had admitted violent disorder and looting two shops at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. He was handed a two-year jail term on Wednesday.

David Buckle, 39, and Jermaine Glover, 23, were sentenced to three years and two years respectively for their roles.

Buckle, of Southgate Way, Hull, admitted violent disorder at Hull Magistrate’s Court on 14 August.

Glover, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson at the same court the following day.

The court heard police officers were hit by a “barrage of missiles” as they guarded a hotel housing asylum seekers on Ferensway, while shops in the city were looted and a family including two children locked themselves in a garage as a mob set fire to tyres and smashed cars nearby.

Prosecutor Jeremy Evans said the family, including a 12-year-old girl with autism and a 16-year-old boy, and their friends were “in fear for their lives” having barricaded themselves in after the mob descended at the garage on Milky Way.

He said Murray ran at a line of police officers on Jameson Street with the long metal bench before throwing it towards them.

Judge Thackray was told all three, who were “prominent” at the front of a large group, had previous convictions – with Murray having committed 37 offences, including 12 of criminal damage and 11 of theft.

Footage was played in court of all three defendants participating in the rioting.

Buckle was captured on CCTV wearing a black T-shirt and draped in an England flag, throwing missiles at officers. At times he was seen wearing a camouflage balaclava.

The court heard Glover threw missiles at officers and set alight tyres and pallets at the Milky Way garage.

Judge Thackray told him his violent disorder was racially aggravated and that Buckle’s offending was “motivated by hostility based upon race”.

“I’ve watched all of the video footage. It’s depressing and it’s horrifying to watch,” he said.

“From beginning to end, it shows utterly deplorable public disorder involving huge numbers of people, repeated racist chanting, and at some points threats to kill innocent members of the public, including children.”

The court heard Murray had “a difficult start in life” and was diagnosed with ADHD and autism.

Defending him, his barrister Hannah Turner said Murray regretted his actions and was “disgusted in himself and he feels he’s let himself and his family down”.

She said the time he spent in custody had been “a huge wake up call for him”.

Buckle’s defence barrister, Michael Forrest, said his client suffered from “PTSD-like symptoms” was “ashamed of his actions”.

Humberside Police said there had been a total of 74 arrests so far, of which 42 people had been charged.

BBC News

Pair who took part in ‘disgraceful’ disorder jailed

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August 21, 2024
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Two men who took part in “disgraceful” disorder in Blackpool that saw a shopping centre security guard attacked and objects hurled at police have been jailed.

A group of nearly 1,000 people were involved in unrest in the seaside town on 3 August, Lancashire Police said.

Bottles and chairs were thrown and there were reports of widespread looting in Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Daniel Stewart, 28, of Ashton Road, Blackpool, and Andrew Hook, 32, of Coronation Street, Blackpool, were each sentenced to 27 months in prison at Preston Crown Court.

Police said Stewart was seen covering his face and wrapping an England flag around his shoulders before shouting and swearing at police officers and horses, and throwing a can towards them.

He also assaulted a security guard in Hounds Hill.

‘Disgraceful’

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault by beating.

Hook also participated in the disorder, kicking and punching a security guard in the head, police said.

He also admitted violent disorder.

Widespread disturbances broke out in towns and cities across England following the Southport knife attack that killed three young girls.

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said: “Disorder is not and will never be acceptable in any part of our county. Hook and Stewart chose to have a detrimental impact on the law-abiding citizens of our Lancashire communities.

“They were violent towards my officers, and members of the public.”

She added: “Their behaviour was disgraceful and will absolutely not be tolerated in Lancashire.”

BBC News

Judge tells man to get lawyer over riot live-stream

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August 21, 2024
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A judge has given the number of a local law firm to a man who live-streamed himself using racist language amid a riot outside an asylum hotel and told him to get a lawyer before his sentencing.

Judge Maurice Greene warned Aaron Johnson he was “in a serious position” after the 32-year-old from Stockport pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court previously heard he had repeatedly referred to migrants in a derogatory manner during a broadcast to “millions of people” during disorder in Stockport on 5 August.

Judge Greene adjourned his sentencing to 19 September.

‘Put your case’

Johnson, of Criterion Street, Stockport, admitted the charge earlier this month.

Magistrates were told he had also been aggressive to hotel staff, exposed residents to danger while using racist language and citing the Southport knife attack.

Misinformation spread online after the deaths of three young girls at a holiday club dance class on 29 July led to riots across the UK.

At Manchester Crown Court, Judge Greene told Johnson: “I really think you ought to have a solicitor so you can put your case and what you want to say.”

He remanded him into custody ahead of sentencing.

BBC News

Apprentice jailed for targeting police during riot

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August 21, 2024
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A former apprentice electrician has been jailed following a riot in Hartlepool.

Declan Dixon, 22, from the Wigan area, was filmed hurling a missile at police lines on Wednesday 31 July.

He was in the North East due to his apprenticeship – a job he has subsequently lost.

Dixon was given an 18-month sentence at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine when he was arrested on 11 August in Stockton.

Unrest swept the country after false information spread about the man who fatally stabbed three young girls in Southport last month.

Judge Francis Laird KC told Dixon his behaviour on the night was “disgraceful”.

More jailed

Meanwhile, Michael Stevenson, 34, from Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in the town on Sunday 4 August.

He was filmed attempting to set fire to rubbish in a large wheelie bin, which was then pushed towards a line of police officers.

Stevenson was given a 26-month prison sentence by Judge Laird at Teesside Crown Court.

He will serve up to half of the sentence in custody before being released on licence.

BBC News

Father-of-three jailed for Southport police van attack

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August 21, 2024
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A father-of-three who left a police officer fearing for their life as he tried to smash a van window has been jailed for three years.

Luke Moran, from Birkdale, was one of five people sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday for their part in violent disorder in Southport.

Describing the 38-year-old’s attack with a lump of concrete, a judge said it was “as bad a case as I have seen so far”.

The latest group of defendants to appear in court over the recent disorder that swept across the country also included men accused or convicted of unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, south Yorkshire.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, at least 497 people have so far been charged in relation to the weeks-long unrest that broke out in England and Northern Ireland following a stabbing attack in Southport that left three young girls dead and 10 others injured, including eight children.

Liverpool Crown Court was played police body camera footage showing Moran hitting the vehicle’s window three times with the piece of concrete.

Judge Neil Flewitt said that a police officer in the vehicle “feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked”.

A statement from a police officer said the men who attacked his van were “whipped into a frenzy”.

The officer’s body cam footage captured the roofer’s face as he attacked the police van. Its driver is clearly heard saying “we’re going to have to bail” as the footage ends.

The court was told the driver then escaped out of the rear of the van, covered by other officers as he fled.

Nicholas Sinclair, 38, was also sentenced to two years and four months for his involvement in the rioting.

The manager of a scaffolding firm from Birkdale admitted throwing bricks and pleaded guilty to violent disorder as a result.

Two other men were sentenced at the same time.

Daniel Carrigan, 41, of Liverpool, admitted to throwing two items at the window of the police van. He said he was struggling with cocaine addiction and had been on the drug at the time.

He was jailed for two years and eight months.

Thomas Whitehead, 53, of Southport, who worked as a gardener, was given a year and eight months for throwing an object during the violent disorder.

The court was told he “does not know what took hold of him when he threw that one missile from the back of the group”.

All the men were told they would be made to serve at least half of their sentences.

Earlier, a 20-year-old from Banks in Southport, who admitted throwing concrete during the riots, was given a prison sentence of 18 months in a young offenders’ institution.

Jake Lowther was captured on CCTV taking part in the violent disorder and was told by the judge he would spend half of his sentence in prison and half in the community.

It was accepted in sentencing that his actions were out of character and his defence conceded their client “did something extremely foolish”.

Lowther’s parents were in the public gallery and as he was taken away. His mother tried to offer comfort by saying “love you, it’s ok”.

Rotherham

Those in court on Wednesday in relation to the unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham included a former soldier.

Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting to pushing aggressively on a line of officers.

The father-of-three, who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, was told by Judge Jeremy Richardson KC: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and, in many respects, astonishing.”

Passing sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, the judge heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and said he was surprised that he had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper.

Hull

A man who charged at police officers with a metal bench is among three men who have been jailed for their part in violent unrest in Hull.

Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, Hull, admitted violent disorder and looting two shops at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. He was handed a two-year jail term on Wednesday.

David Buckle, 39, and Jermaine Glover, 23, were sentenced to three years and two years respectively for their roles.

Buckle, of Southgate Way, Hull, admitted violent disorder at Hull Magistrate’s Court on 14 August.

Glover, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson at the same court the following day.

BBC News

Ex-soldier among several jailed over riots in Rotherham and Southport

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August 21, 2024
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Peter Beard, sentenced for disorder at asylum seeker hotel, is told his conduct was ‘astonishing’ given his army past

A former soldier who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting confronting police as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed on police bodyworn cameras at the front of a mob outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The court heard that Beard’s aggression towards officers came at a critical time in the rioting, after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.

Sentencing Beard at Sheffield crown court, the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Richardson KC, said: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and in many respects astonishing.

“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation. You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones. You know what it is like to be under attack and yet there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.”A former soldier who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting confronting police as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed on police bodyworn cameras at the front of a mob outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The court heard that Beard’s aggression towards officers came at a critical time in the rioting, after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.

Sentencing Beard at Sheffield crown court, the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Richardson KC, said: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and in many respects astonishing.

“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation. You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones. You know what it is like to be under attack and yet there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.”

Also at Sheffield crown court, Thomas Birley, 27, who threw a wood panel on to a fire outside the same hotel, admitted a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

The court heard that Birley, of Swinton, Rotherham, was involved in several incidents outside the hotel, including stoking a fire in a bin that was pushed against an exit, throwing items at the police and squaring up to officers while brandishing a police baton.

Richardson told Birley that his offending was unquestionably the most serious of all that he had dealt with in the last fortnight in relation to the rioting that followed the killing of three girls in Southport last month. He said: “The sentence must be of some substance. This is a crime which carries a life sentence. I rule nothing in and rule nothing out.”

The judge said Birley would be sentenced on 6 September and remanded him into custody and ordered that a psychiatric report be prepared.

At Liverpool crown court, Jake Lowther, 20, was sentenced to 18 months in a young offender institution. Lowther, of Banks, near Southport, nodded to his parents as his mother called out “love you” from the public gallery.

The court head that Lowther was seen in video footage in a crowd in Southport, gesticulating towards officers while others threw missiles. Judge Flewitt KC said that at one point Lowther picked up two pieces of brick or stone from a broken wall and threw them towards police officers, with one piece hitting a riot shield.

Also at Liverpool crown court, Luke Moran was jailed for three years after he tried to smash a window of a police van in Southport. The court heard that Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm since his image had been published after the violence.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran was filmed on bodyworn camera with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver-side window of a police van three times as an officer sat inside. In the footage, the officer could be heard telling colleagues over his radio: “I’m going to have to bail, my window’s about to go through.”

Flewitt told the court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far. Unsurprisingly, at that stage PC Hayes feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked.”

Daniel Carrigan, 41, of Liverpool, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport. Footage was played to the court showing him throwing items at a police van and kicking the side of the vehicle.

Charles Lander, defending, said Carrigan had taken cocaine on the day of the incident and said his addiction to the drug was “out of control”. The court heard that Carrigan had previously been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault after telling a traffic warden in 2016 that he should “return back to his own country”.

Thomas Whitehead, 53, who was part of a large group that gathered outside a mosque in Southport, was jailed for one year and eight months for violent disorder after being arrested onboard a plane.

At Liverpool crown court, Smith, prosecuting, said Whitehead’s picture was circulated and he was arrested on 13 August at Manchester airport. Whitehead, a gardener, of Southport, told police he had been to the pub when he noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening, and he admitted he had been involved in throwing items.

And a manager at a scaffolding firm was jailed for two years and four months after admitting being part of the violent disorder in Southport. Nicholas Sinclair, 38, of Birkdale, was seen in footage from 30 July shouting at police and throwing bricks.

The Guardian