Archive

Author Archives: virginiagolden

Man who looted Sainsbury’s during city centre disorder tells judge to “swivel on that, you b****”

By
August 14, 2024
Uncategorized

Kye McGlade, 24, was part of a group that was ‘kicking shop windows and throwing bottles at police’

A man who looted a Sainsbury’s store during violent scenes in Manchester city centre told a judge to “swivel on that, you b****”.

Kye McGlade, 24, pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder, theft from a shop, and criminal damage, at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday).

The offences were carried out on August 3, the court heard. Prosecutor Aqsa Khan told the court that McGlade was part of a group that was ‘kicking shop windows and throwing bottles at police’.

“The defendant was identified through extensive CCTV and mobile phone footage,” she added.

McGlade, who was said to have previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers, also admitted a breach of a conditional discharge. Remanding him into custody, District Judge Joanne Hirst said the offences were ‘too serious’ to be dealt with by magistrates.

“You have admitted taking part in the shameful disorder that took place in our city recently,” she added. “You were heavily involved in that in terms of looting alcohol and criminally damaging other people’s property.”

As he was led to the cells, McGlade, of no fixed abode, told the judge to “f*** off”. He then added: “Swivel on that, you bitch.”

He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court for sentence on August 20.

MEN

Police find two samurai swords in rioter’s house

By
August 14, 2024
Uncategorized

Three men appeared in Magistrates’ Court this morning accused of taking part in violent disorder

A man was caught with a samurai sword after throwing items at police during the violent disorder in Southport. Joshua Jones, 31, of St Mark’s Road, in St Helens, appeared before District Judge Paul Healey on Wednesday morning charged with violent disorder and possession of a samurai sword, on different occasions. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

On July 30, the night violence erupted in Southport, Jones travelled to Sussex Road in the town as rioters targeted a mosque. Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how Jones had been seen on CCTV throwing items at the police, which looked to be either glass or brick. Alex Farrow, prosecuting, also said Jones had been hostile towards police, who were at the cordon outside the local mosque, while wearing a face covering.

A warrant was issued for his arrest, and a search of his property was also made. Police located two samurai swords at the address. Jones, who has previous convictions, was denied bail and was remanded in custody for sentence at Crown Court on August 20.

Jones was one of three men who appeared in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today (August 14) accused of being involved with the violent disorder in Southport earlier this month. Jonathan Duerden, 31, of The Crescent, in Colne, Lancashire, also appeared before Judge Healey charged with violent disorder. He pleaded guilty to the charge and will appear in Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on August 20.

The court heard how Duerden was seen at the Southport incident on July 30 on CCTV leaning down to the ground, picking up a brick and throwing it at a police car. Jones was denied bail.

Another man, Andrew Jackson, 41, of Ramford Street, in St Helens, was accused of violent disorder, he pleaded not guilty. He was also charged with possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis), to which he pleaded guilty. During police interview Jackson denied that a person caught on CCTV during the disorder was him. No application for bail was made and Jackson was remanded in custody.

Liverpool Echo

Stuart Bolton jailed

By
August 14, 2024
Uncategorized

Bolton was jailed for two years and eight months. The 38-year-old, who runs a ground-working business, was filmed angrily shouting at a line of police officers protecting the Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, on Sunday August 4.

The footage, played in court, showed Bolton screaming abuse and goading officers in riot gear as his partner attempted to calm him down.

The court heard how Bolton, of Manchester Square, New Holland, had driven with his partner and his 15-year-old son from his home in North Lincolnshire when he found out about the ongoing protest.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said: “You were encouraging the remainder of the crowd around and about you to engage in violence.”

The judge also confiscated the Mercedes car Bolton used to drive to Rotherham, after hearing he was disqualified from driving and had no insurance, and banned him from driving for three years.

Yorkshire Live

Rotherham riot thug ‘with no racist views’ unmasked after aiming plank of wood at hotel during violence

By
August 14, 2024
Uncategorized

Elliott Wragg went to the Holiday Inn in Manvers after reading social media posts

A man who threw pieces of wood at a hotel housing refugees in Rotherham has been put behind bars.

Elliott Wragg, 23, has been jailed for two years and four months for his role in the violent disorder that took place at the Holiday Inn hotel in Manvers on August 4. His case was opened by prosecutor Neil Coxon on Tuesday at Sheffield Crown Court, but Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC jailed him on Wednesday.

In his opening to the court, Mr Coxon said: “This takes place in the context of serious violence disorder which occurred on August 4. Looking through the viewing log, footage shows that there is a large group of people, several of whom are wearing face coverings, but this defendant is not.

“The group was stood on a path just outside the premises that was the Holiday Inn. There is a man in a white T-shirt, and that is the defendant. He can then be seen picking up an item on the ground and throwing it in the direction of officers against the wall of the Holiday Inn.

“The next photograph shows the defendant throwing a piece of wood, and another shows the police stood in front of the Holiday Inn. At this stage, the group continue to throw items, including chairs and other items. In this part of the footage you cannot see the defendant but he is part of the group. There were also fire extinguisher that were discharged. The group are shouting ‘Yorkshire, Yorkshire’.”

Footage of the incident was played to the court. It was said Wragg, of Assembly Way, Barnsley, was arrested and accepted that in one of the clips he was there but exercised his right to remain silent. He had no previous convictions on his record.

Dale Harris, defending, said his client said he had “no racist views” and his actions were “wholly out of character”. He said Wragg went to the hotel after reading on social media about a protest about immigration.

Yorkshire Live

‘Chanting’ Rotherham riot dad ‘off work with spine injury’ jailed after ‘Aldi meat shop’

By
August 14, 2024
Uncategorized

Trevor Lloyd was caught on camera becoming involved with disorder outside the Holiday Inn in Manvers but says he was telling people ‘stop’

A Rotherham dad was only supposed to be in Aldi buying meat for his Sunday dinner – but has now ended up behind bars after becoming embroiled in violent disorder.

Trevor Lloyd, 49, was at the forefront of a group that culminated outside the Holiday Inn hotel in Rotherham on August 4 this year. The hotel is used to house refugees and asylum seekers.

Sheffield Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Lloyd, of Oak Avenue, was spotted filming some of the disorder. The group he was stood with was responsible for smashing windows and doors to the hotel, entering it and returning with items including fire extinguishers and chair that were then thrown at officers.

Read more: Live as Rotherham rioters in court – FIVE more men to be sentenced for Holiday Inn disgrace

Prosecutor Louise Gallagher said: “He appears to be filming using a mobile phone…At 5.34pm, windows had been smashed. In a photograph, he can be seen at the front of the group, again recording. He’s standing sideways with his back to a wall. He’s seen again, this time at 7.32pm, and he remains with the group.

“He’s been highlighting as being present amongst the gathering.” It was said Lloyd also entered the hotel, although his barrister Richard Adams said he did so “momentarily”.

Footage was played to the court of the incident and showed Lloyd among the group that could be heard chanting, “Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire.” This clip was uploaded to TikTok by an account with the username Steakbake6969.

Lloyd was arrested after being identified from a still image taken from footage. He was arrested on August 9 and made no comment in interview, but submitted a prepared statement which said he and his partner had become separated and he was telling the group to “stop”.

Ms Gallagher said: “He admitted following the group in [to the hotel] and telling them to come out.” Lloyd’s barrister said he is not maintaining his account and has taken advice and “accepts presence in the melee and for some period of time.”

The court heard he had previous convictions on his record for offences including assaulting a police constable, theft and drug offences.

Mr Adams told the court: “Can I perhaps urge My Lord a little restraint in as much as this. The defendant’s intention that day had been no more than to visit Aldi, which joins the hotel, with his partner, and seeing the demonstration he made the foolish error of deciding to go and have a look.

“What was first a look became a protracted stay. His partner had the good sense to move away, and he of course remained at the scene… It was simply to buy a piece of meat for dinner. That, he accepts, he was caught up in it.”

The court has heard Lloyd used to work, but was injured and sustained a spinal injury and is now registered disabled.

Recorder of Sheffield His Honour Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said: “A man with a spinal injury, registered disabled, participates in this?” Mr Adams said: “His participation we say is his presence.”

As he jailed him for three years, Judge Richardson told Lloyd: “You are a man with a family. You have a partner. You live in Rotherham. You have two older daughters. You also have a daughter aged nine.

“What a dreadful example you have set your daughter. Your conduct was shameful and you unquestionably encouraged serious violence by what you did. On Sunday 4th August 2024, there was major civil disorder in the Manvers area of Rotherham. The incident was part of wider, national civil unrest, fostered by a form of malignancy of society… It was perpetrated by an ignorant mob, of which you were part.”

The judge said the occupants of the hotel “must have been terrified.” He added: “You were involved in this incidemt. You were watching, encouraging and filming on your mobile telephone what was going on. I repeat, you were well to the fore while others were breaking in. You went in yourself and came out smiling.

“I have seen the footage of what occurred. It was frightening and alarming even to watch it in the courtroom. It must have been utterly terrifying for those present, including the police officers.”

The court heard that during a second incident, Lloyd gestured towards police officers, shouted at them and was “endeavouring to push the police officers.” Judge Richardson said Lloyd has “brought shame” on Rotherham. He also made him the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Yorkshire Live

Snivelling rioter changes his tune as he is jailed for brandishing stick at protesters

By
August 13, 2024
Uncategorized

Curtis Coulson cried during his first court appearance

A snivelling rioter who cried during his first court appearance had no tears as he was jailed for brandishing a stick taken from an anti-racism sign.

Curtis Coulson has been put behind bars for four-and-a-half months for affray on August 4 in Sheffield. Coulson, 30, wiped away tears as he appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court last week and was remanded into custody.

However, Coulson, of Sheffield, appeared different when he appeared over a video link at Sheffield Crown Court from HMP Lincoln on Tuesday and listened to Neil Coxon’s prosecution opening.

Mr Coxon said: “In essence a group of pro-asylum protesters held a peaceful demonstration on the steps of the Town Hall.” The court heard Coulson claimed he had seen a message about a Pro-UK march the day before and he got the bus into the city centre and walked in the direction of the Town Hall where he was to meet a group to attend the march.

He said he was approached by a woman holding a placard as he walked past the City Hall and said she called him a “far-right fascist” and raised the sign “in what appeared to be a strike.”

Mr Coxon said Coulson claimed he raised his arm and caused the placard to come from a stick, which he took away. He said he agreed he had used the stick in a threatening manner.

Coulson’s barrister, Gordon Stables, said the case did not involve “actual violence” and that the tarmacer is “very embarrassed.”

Judge Richardson told Coulson as he jailed him: “It is always important in cases of this kind to keep a sense of proportion, not withstanding that observation, your conduct was disgraceful.

“You unquestionably threatened on several occasions, violence, whilst holding a stick…There was some form of protest outside the City Hall by individuals who asserted they are anti-racism and anti-fascist. It was a group of approximately 70 plus individuals, who appeared to be participating in a peaceful protest.

“But you were adjacent to a nearby public house, called Yates, with a group much smaller in number than they were. There had been some form of incident – the truth of which I cannot judge – whereby you managed to secure the pole that had held a placard. You utilised that pole to threaten and provoke the larger group of individuals.”

The judge said: “It is right to observe, no one was in fact injured, and it is also right to observe that the anti-racist group advanced towards you, albeit no one of them actually attacked you at all, or your group. You were waving your stick provocatively on a number of occasions and were moving in a hostile way and were threatening towards them…

“It is clear at the same time, several miles away in Rotherham, police were having to handle a very difficult situation where there was mass public disorder.”

Coulson was also made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for five years.

Yorkshire Live

Smirking Valentino-clad rioter joins racist mob attacking Rotherham hotel because he was ‘nosy’

By
August 13, 2024
Uncategorized

Kaine Hicks is now behind bars after abusing police in the Rotherham riots

A smirking Valentino-clad thug subjected hard-working officers to vile verbal abuse while they tried to calm riots in Rotherham.

Kaine Hicks, 22, was bedecked in designer garments when he went to the Holiday Inn in Manvers on August 4. The hotel is used to house asylum seekers and refugees and was the location of violent disorder which resulted in a large number of arrests last week.

Hicks, Wombwell Road, Platts Common, Barnsley, claims he went to the hotel to be “nosy” but was captured on police bodycam footage verbally abusing officers.

Prosecutor Neil Coxon told Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday: “Effectively, he is captured by PC Goodman on bodycam footage. The defendant’s described as wearing a Valentino sweatshirt jumper. It is very distinctive and he can be seen walking along the line where the police officer is stationed. He acted in an aggressive manner towards the officer, is verbally abusive and is heard saying a number of things including, ‘You f****** dirty b*******, the f****** lot of you, dirty c**** All of yous, go on, go on.’

“He was part of a group who are putting their hands up and pushing against the officer’s shields.

Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “The officers were obviously doing their level best to protect the hotel, which was on the left, and this is when this incident occurred.”

It was said Hicks had previous convictions for offences including possession of cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Mitigating, Dale Harris said: “His guilty plea effectively reflects his involvement in it, which is limited.”

The court heard Hicks is a self-employed construction worker who has “never been involved in any protest before” but had seen it “advertised on social media before”. Mr Harris said: “He had gone because in his words – he was nosy and wanted to see what was happening and crossed the line. He will pay a heavy price in losing his liberty, because his earning will be affected.

“In spite of the context of this incident occurs, he holds no strong political opinions and rejects any suggestion he is part of any far-right group – he doesn’t share those views and wouldn’t regard himself as having any negative opinions. He is, well I suspect, tarred with the same brush, given the nature of the criminality that unfolded.

Judge Richardson jailed Hicks for two years and eight months and told him: “On 4th August there was major civil disorder in the Manvers area, that was part of national civil unrest. The disorder was unquestionably racist of character and extremely frightening for anyone there.

“It was perpetrated by an ignorant mob. You were a part of that mob. I have absolutely no doubt that many decent people in Rotherham were badly affected by what occurred. There was violence and very threatening conduct in the context of this case to police officers in particular by you. I have said it on several occasions and make no apology for repeating this: The police officers who were present doing their duty are deserving of high praise for the way in which they resisted provocation and handled an immensely challenging situation with precision and skill.

“You – I repeat – were part of this mob of ignorant and violent individuals. It must be made clear those participating in this violent disorder will be punished severely by these courts…You were targeting the police, as were others. There was disruption and severe detrimental impact to the community. This was unquestionably a racist incident.”

The judge also made Hicks the subject of a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

Yorkshire Live

Man jailed for racially abusing bus driver

By
August 13, 2024
Uncategorized

A man has been jailed for 10 months after he racially abused a bus driver in London and violently attacked a betting shop.

Michael Mongan, 39, of Castle Road, Ealing, west London, attacked a Ladbrokes branch in Northolt on 27 July.

While released on bail, he racially abused a bus driver on 7 August – an incident that was widely shared on social media.

At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, Judge Ian Comfort described the bus incident as an “appalling racial and religious abuse over a sustained period of time”.

He added: “Your behaviour (occurred) when there was violent disorder in other parts of the country against Muslims and other groups.”
Islamophobic abuse

On 27 July, Mongan repeatedly hit windows with a large stick and racially abused staff while under the influence of alcohol, the court heard.

A member of the public had to restrain him before he was arrested by police.

While in custody, Mongan racially abused a police officer who was driving a van.

In relation to this incident, Mongan pleaded guilty to two counts of racially aggravated behaviour, one charge of criminal damage and one count of causing damage to a police vehicle.

The second incident occurred on 7 August, while he was on bail for the previous offences, after a bus driver refused to let him board as he did not have the money to pay for his journey.

Mongan spat at the bus driver’s cab a number of times while shouting Islamophobic abuse and other threats, the court was told.

His lawyer, Giovanna Fiorentino, said Mongan had claimed a member of the public had offered to pay for his fare but the bus driver refused to let him board.

After the video was posted on social media, Mongan was identified and arrested on Friday.

He was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage.
‘Won’t see a pound’

Mongan was sentenced to:

Six months in custody for racially abusing the bus driver

Four months in custody for each of the two charges of racially aggravated behaviour

Two months for criminal damage to Ladbrokes

One month for criminal damage to a police vehicle and

One month for damaging the cab door of the bus

All charges will run concurrently.

He was also told to pay £500 to the bus driver, £200 to the police officer he racially abused and £200 to a staff member at Ladbrokes.

Mongan bowed his head as the sentence was read out in court and told the judge afterwards: “They won’t see a pound of it from me.”

BBC News

Man, 20, pleads guilty to violent disorder

By
August 13, 2024
Uncategorized

A 20-year-old man has admitted taking part in disturbances in Bristol city centre.

Joseph Bradford, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, was charged as part of a police investigation into the unrest which took place on 3 August.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

A total of 27 people have now been arrested as part of the investigation, including a 15-year-old boy.

Avon and Somerset Police said the teenager was arrested on Monday night on suspicion of violent disorder.

Officers also arrested a man, aged in his 30s, for the same offence on Tuesday and he remains in police custody.

Prosecutor Stephen Sadler said Bradford, who was supported by 10 family members in court, said he had been “right at the front line” of the disorder on Bristol Bridge and was seen “amping up the crowd”, “encouraging chanting” and “gesticulating to officers”.

He added that Bradford had thrown a can at police officers and had been part of a group which had rushed at the police three times, forcing them backwards.

Defence lawyer Ian Kelsey said his client had accepted his behaviour had been “idiotic” but that he had acted with the “naivety of youth” and had left the scene early, texting his mother to tell her he “didn’t want anything more to do” with the violence and that the situation had “got out of hand”.

Remanding him into custody Judge Joanna Dickens, who joined the hearing from Swindon Magistrates’ Court, said there was concern that “those who have done it once [taken part in recent violent disorder] might do it again”.

The force has charged 10 people in connection with the unrest in Bristol, when violent scenes occurred after hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park.

A total of 27 people have now been arrested in connection with the disorder, after two women were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder on Tuesday afternoon.

Tensions have been high across England after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

False claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker, who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Detectives have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and body-worn camera footage, as well as images and videos shared by the public, in order to try to identify those involved in the disorder.

BBC News

Man asks judge ‘how long did I get?’ after being jailed

By
August 13, 2024
Uncategorized

Philip Prescott, Gareth Metcalfe and David Hill have been locked up over scenes of violence in Southport and Liverpool city centre

Thugs who kicked down the wall of a house, threw bricks at police officers and kicked the windscreen of a van while being livestreamed on TikTok have been jailed. Violent scenes flared up in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked during protesting on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on the evening of July 30. A planned protest at the Pier Head the following weekend then descended into violence, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that both Philip Prescott and Gareth Metcalfe were involved in the disturbance in Southport on the evening of July 30. Nardeen Nemat, appearing for the prosecution in relation to the former, told the court: “Following the killing of three young girls in Southport on the 29th of July, there was widespread disorder across the country. The first incident was on the 30th of July on St Luke’s Road in Southport.

“The focus of the violence was aimed at a mosque. There were chants including ‘who the f*** is Allah’. Items were thrown towards the mosque. Items were thrown at police officers including house bricks, wheelie bins and slabs of concrete. The incident lasted several hours. More than 60 police officers were injured. The mosque was damaged and a police vehicle was set alight.”

Prescott, of Sefton Street in Southport, was seen on CCTV and video footage captured by a police helicopter taking items out of a bin and hurling them towards police officers before “others followed suit”. The 38-year-old then “dragged another wheelie bin” towards a cordon formed by PCs before removing further objects and throwing them.

He subsequently kicked the wall of a residential property and climbed into the garden before running towards officers in possession of a brick, which he “launched towards” them. Prescott thereafter returned to the damaged wall once more and threw further bricks, including at the window of a police van.

Following his arrest on Lord Street in the town on August 5, he gave a prepared statement under interview in which he “said he had been drinking and was very upset by the death of the three children”. He then “heard there was something happening near to St Luke’s and went to see what was happening” and, although he could not recall his actions due to being under the influence of alcohol, stated that he was “ashamed by what he did and was sorry”.

Metcalfe, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, was meanwhile said to have “remonstrated” and “pointed and shouted at officers”, being described as being “at the front of the action”. Christopher Taylor, prosecuting the 44-year-old, detailed how he was arrested at his home address later the same evening and gave a no comment interview.

David Hill meanwhile appeared before the court in relation to disorder in Liverpool city centre the following Saturday. The 38-year-old, of Bianca Street in Bootle, was caught on a livestreamed TikTok video kicking the windscreen of a police van near to St George’s Hall before another thug attempted to set the vehicle on fire.

Prescott has no previous convictions, His counsel Sinead Fearon said: “The defendant appears to be acting by himself. He does not appear to be with any particular group or pushing any cause.

“Whilst he did not necessarily instruct others to follow in his footsteps and he was not the first to throw a missile, it is very difficult to step away from the fact that his actions caused a very real ripple effect on others who were present. Once he begins throwing the first missile, it appears others view what he has done and follow without instruction.

“He has worked on and off for the last 12 years as a painter. He has managed to live up until this point without troubling the court system. He appears to come from a close family. They are appalled by his behaviour, but support him nonetheless.

“His dad is terminally ill. His very real fear is that he will not be there to look after his dad, which is what he should have been doing rather than behaving in the way he did on the 30th of July. It is his intention to learn from his folly.”

Metcalfe’s criminal record shows 21 previous convictions for 31 offences between 1995 and 2021 – including for “religiously aggravated assault”, sexual assault in 2016, a racially-aggravated public order offence in 2019 and harassment and breach of a non-molestation order during 2019 and 2020. The court heard of one arrest in January 2019 “against a background of domestic abuse” which saw him “start to struggle” when officers attempted to detain him before calling them “Muslim protectors and Muslim sh**gers”.

When a Probation Service worker subsequently attempted to call him in order to prepare a pre-sentence report in relation to his subsequent conviction, they received a voicemail recording of Metcalfe saying: “F*** Islam. Leave a message.”

Simran Garcha said on his behalf: “Those entrenched views which Mr Metcalfe made known were back in 2019, and some time has passed since then. Mr Metcalfe’s involvement is markedly different to those who threw missiles towards officers and those who caused damage to property.

“He accepts that, at some stages, he was at the front of a large crowd and was very much involved in the unrest that followed. He is extremely embarrassed by his behaviour and wishes to apologise to the court and the police.

“He concedes that his anger and frustration consumed him. He was swept up in the brutal murder that occurred close to home. He accepts that his behaviour was a shameful and disrespectful response, and accepts that his behaviour was deplorable.

“It is noteworthy that there was a large gap of offending between 2005 and 2015, demonstrating that Mr Metcalfe is capable of being a productive member of society. There is clearly another side to this man. His last conviction dates back to 2021, demonstrating a lengthy period of stability in his life.

“He has three children and a step son. He is mortified that his children may learn about his involvement and is heartbroken over any impact that will have on them.

“Mr Metcalfe is in poor physical health. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer six years ago, which impacted on his ability to work. He is in remission but still attends regular hospital appointments to keep that matter under review. Mr Metcalfe has previous battled depression and suicidal ideation.

“He had a business in the window cleaning industry, however, when diagnosed with bowel cancer, was unable to work for a number of years. However, prior to his arrest, he had been working again.

“His family know there is another side to the defendant who is kind, caring and compassionate when free from alcohol use and who needs help. He is ashamed that he has let his parents down.”

Hill has a total of 71 previous convictions for 120 offences including affray, actual bodily harm, burglary and escaping from lawful custody. He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge for theft on July 18 this year after entering a Shell garage on Longmoor Lane in Fazakerley and placing £83.10 of food items into his jacket before leaving without paying.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “From a young age, this is a defendant who has been ravaged by the misuse of class A substances. That is obvious when one looks at his previous convictions.

“He is the father of two young children. He is a defendant who, prior to his arrest, was homeless. He has been homeless for a period in excess of 12 months, since he was released from his last custodial sentence.

“He does have some good qualities. He has a sister who worked for the National Deaf Children’s Society. The defendant taught himself sign language. He assisted young children with learning sign language. That is something he hopes to continue with, as far as the future is concerned.

“Staff at the prison know him well. He has been trusted in the past to hold down jobs within the prison. He has already secured a job as a cleaner and has been put in touch with a drug related agency. Whatever the sentence is today, he is hoping to use this period of time constructively with the hope that, when he is released on licence, assistance can be given for him to get secure accommodation, remain drug free and build up something that will provide for himself and his children so far as his later life is concerned.

“The fact that he was homeless has some bearing. He did not have a full knowledge of everything that was going on at the time. When these incidents did break out, his involvement was something which he effectively was swept along with. He has asked me to tell the court that he is appalled that he involved himself in this activity at a time when the people of Southport were mourning the loss of the three children.”

All three defendants admitted violent disorder. Prescott gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells after receiving 28 months in prison.

Metcalfe nodded as he was handed 40 months, then muttered an inaudible comment to his co-defendant. His dad told him “see you Gareth, love you” as he was escorted out of the courtroom, while his mum added: “It’s over.”

Hill was locked up for two years. He then asked “how long did I get?” before adding “thank you” after being informed by a security guard.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “On Monday the 29th of July, the peace in Southport was shattered when three young girls were stabbed and killed at a dance class. In the same incident, several other children and adults were seriously injured.

“In the aftermath of those terrible events, the local community came together to grieve and show their support for all of those affected by that tragedy. The respectful vigil that took place the following evening demonstrated all that is good about the vast majority of the inhabitants of Merseyside.

“At the same time, a small minority from Merseyside and beyond – fuelled by misinformation and racial or religious hatred – were intent on causing mayhem. In participating in the events that followed, they were not exercising their right to freedom of speech or to lawful non-violent protest.

“Rather, they were exploiting the anguish of others either to further their own warped ideology or simply as an excuse for vandalism, intimidation and violence. They are criminals, and they do not represent all the decent people who were appalled by their behaviour and left to clean up their mess.

“The disorder that began in Southport spread over the following days to other parts of Merseyside and to other cities in the UK. As a result, many communities throughout the country were forced to live in fear of further outbreaks of violent unrest.

“None of what has happened recently can properly be described as mindless behaviour. Everyone involved acted deliberately and knew exactly what they were doing, and so must accept responsibility for the impact of their conduct – not only on their own community, but also across the nation.”

The judge described Metcalfe as being “at the forefront of the disorder” in Southport, having “adopted a fighting stance”, adding: “This was clearly racially or religiously motivated disorder, targeting primarily the Muslim community but also the police officers. who were doing their best to protect them and their property This particular incident was made all the more serious because it took place soon after and in the same area as the tragic events of the previous day. I have no doubt that your actions added to the distress already felt by the local community.

“You have an appalling criminal record. You have demonstrated an established pattern of racially motivated behaviour and an entrenched racist attitude towards Muslims. Although you say you would never act on those views, that is exactly what you did.

“You have indicated that you are embarrassed by your conduct and apologise for it. Given your deeply held racist views, I approach that with some scepticism.”

Judge Flewitt told Prescott: “You claim to have become involved because you were drunk. That is no excuse and it is certainly no comfort to those who were affected by your actions. I take into account your previous good character and the other mitigation advanced, including your remorse and the ill health of your father.”

To Hill, the judge added: “I accept that your involvement was short lived and amounted to a single incident, after which you withdrew. You have an extensive criminal record. I recognise that you have a history of drug addiction and, more recently, homelessness and that you intend to make constructive use of your time in custody.”

Liverpool Echo