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Lancashire man who stirred up violence in Dover jailed for two-and-a-half years

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September 22, 2016
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A man from Lancashire who played a key role in organising the Dover protests has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for violent disorder.

Shane Calvert, 34, of Shadsworth Close in Blackburn, rallied supporters to take part in a march through the town on Saturday, January 30.

A counter-protest was held at the same time and both sides quickly engaged in violence towards one another.

Calvert was filmed throwing debris, pushing against the police cordon and standing on a police vehicle during the disturbance.

He was arrested at his home address on Monday, March 7 but denied a charge of violent disorder.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court returned a guilty verdict on Thursday, September 22.

Detective inspector Bill Thornton said: “While everyone involved in the violence was responsible for their own actions, Shane Calvert played a big part in bringing groups of troublemakers together in one place.

“He has considerable influence over those who share his political views and has a lot to answer for following the wholly unacceptable behaviour witnessed in Dover last January.

“I am very pleased the courts have recognised this and imposed a lengthy prison sentence on Calvert, ensuring he will no longer be able to stir up trouble and bring further harm to other communities throughout the UK.

“The investigation into offences committed on the day continues and I am confident there will be many more positive outcomes for the people of Dover.”
Kent News

Man in hospital posts racist Facebook messages about nurse treating him – during his stay

By
September 20, 2016
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A court heard Kieron Wright posted a message on a public forum complaining about being moved to a different ward and making vile comments about a female nurse

Kieron Wright, 23, from Sunderland, who posted vile racist slurs about his nurse on Facebook

Kieron Wright, 23, from Sunderland, who posted vile racist slurs about his nurse on Facebook

A patient posted shocking racist abuse on Facebook about a nurse who was looking after him following an overdose.

Kieron Wright had been admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital after taking an overdose, the Chronicle Live reports .

A court heard he posted a message on a public forum complaining about being moved to a different ward and making vile comments about a female nurse.

He referred to her as a “big ape-looking lass” and added: “Not ******* happy.

“If anyone was thinking about popping in with fruit, leave the bananas in the house, I don’t fancy getting robbed. Ha.”

Newcastle Crown Court heard a member of staff at Sunderland NHS Trust spotted the “gross racial slur” and contacted police.
NNP Kieron Wright, 23, from Sunderland, who posted vile racist slurs about his nurse on Facebook
Wright had overdosed and was being treated

Now Wright, who said he was sorry and wasn’t thinking straight due to his overdose, has been spared jail after he admitted sending an offensive communication.

Mr Recorder Morris told the 23-year-old: “That was a deeply offensive message to post on a public forum.

“I have no doubt anyone who read it would have been disgusted by what they saw. Such language is entirely unacceptable.

“This was not just a message sent to one individual but was widely disseminated to the public.

“It was plainly a racially motivated offensive message and that is a serious aggravating factor in this case.”

Wright had ended up in hospital on the evening of March 10 this year.

The deputy head of corporate affairs at the local NHS Trust became aware of what he had written on Facebook during his stay.

Wright was interviewed by police and said he didn’t realise it would offend anyone and was sorry.

Alec Burns, defending, said: “He is very sorry about the communication offence.

“He couldn’t see it at the time but she was helping him. He didn’t understand at the time because of the state he was in. He apologises.”

Wright, of Rosedale Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to sending an offensive communication.

The court heard his 47 previous convictions include daubing graffiti on the walls of a police cell calling a man with an Asian-sounding name a “nonce”.

Wright also admitted assaulting a man in an unrelated offence because he wasn’t happy with the quality of cannabis he had been sold.

He had also failed to comply with a previous community order.

For the racist Facebook post and the assault, Wright was sentenced to a community order for 18 months, with rehabilitation and supervision requirements.

He was also given a restraining order to keep him away from the assault victim and his girlfriend.

Mr Burns said Wright has a history of mental health problems but has recently started working.

Newcastle Chronicle

‘Leave the bananas’: Racist Sunderland patient’s vile Facebook post about the nurse caring for him

By
September 19, 2016
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A patient was arrested and prosecuted after he sent a racist Facebook post about his nurse from his hospital bed.

Kieron Wright, 23, said that the NHS worker looking after him at Sunderland Royal Hospital was “ape looking” and warned visitors not to bring him bananas in case she robbed them from him.

The shocking post on the social networking site was seen by the NHS trust bosses who reported it to the police.

Demolition worker Wright, of Rosedale Street, Sunderland, was arrested and admitted sending an offensive communication.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the post was put on Facebook on March 10.

It read: “Been moved ward again. Now on ward B26 and I’ve got a big, ape-looking lass for a nurse. Not happy one bit. If any of you are thinking about popping up with fruit etc, leave the bananas in the house, I don’t fancy getting robbed haha.”

Prosecutor Anne Richardson told the court the “extreme language” amounted to a “racial hate crime” which caused disgust to the hospital manager who saw it.

Wright was arrested and said he had not intended to cause any offense and was sorry if he had.

Mr Recorder Stephen Morris QC told Wright: “You realise, at the time, the nurse was in fact helping you.

“That was a deeply offensive message to post on a public forum.

“I have no doubt anyone who read it would have been disgusted by what they saw.

“Such language is entirely unacceptable.

“I do not accept you didn’t realise how offensive the message was but I accept you have apologised and shown remorse.

“This was not a post sent to one individual, it was widely disseminated to members of the public. It was a racially motivated offensive message committed against someone working in the public sector, nursing staff at a public hospital, which is also an aggravating feature.”

A spokeswoman for the trust told the Echo that the NHS bosses ‘will not hesitate’ in reporting such incidents and supporting their staff members.

Wright, who has previous convictions for violence and disorder, was before the judge for the Communications Act offence and an assault by beating, which he was convicted of after a trial.

The violence related to him punching a man at his home when he went to complain about the quality of the cannabis he had bought from him.

Wright, who has been on a curfew for around eight months as part of his bail conditions, was sentenced to a community order for 18 months with rehabilitation and supervision requirements.

Alec Burns, defending said: “He is very sorry for having done this and very sorry she had to read what he had written.

“He did not see it at the time but she was helping him.

“He apologises and apologised very shortly afterwards.”

Mr Burns said Wright has now got a demolition job and is willing to work hard and stay out of trouble.

A spokeswoman for City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said: “The NHS is a very diverse workforce and it is unacceptable for any member of our staff to be the subject of racial comments on social media whilst caring for patients.

“The Trust takes all forms of abuse very seriously, whether that be verbal, racial or violent, and we will not hesitate to support our staff by reporting such incidents.”

Sunderland Echo

Brexit supporter fined after stealing Eddie Izzard’s hat

By
September 19, 2016
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A Brexit supporter has admitted stealing Eddie Izzard’s pink beret during a pro-EU rally in London.

David Czerwonko, of Clitherow Road, Brentford snatched his hat while the comedian took part in a march to the cenotaph in Whitehall on 3 September, the court heard.

Izzard gave chase to the 26-year-old chef and reclaimed the headwear with help from police.

Czerwonko was fined £185, and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

BBC News

Britain First activist Mandy Smith from Canterbury admits assault during Margate anti-Ukip protests

By
September 19, 2016
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A Britain First activist arrested during clashes with anti-Ukip protestors has admitted assaulting a demonstrator.

Mandy Smith, from Canterbury, is said to have retaliated after a camera was reportedly pointed at her face at the party’s spring conference at Margate’s Winter Gardens.

The 50-year-old was part of a group of activists who gathered outside the venue after declaring on Facebook they were “defending Nigel Farage from the leftwing rabble”.

The incident happened after demonstrators – led by Thanet Stand up to Ukip – marched up the hill to protest at the conference on Saturday.

Britain First posted on its Facebook page that Mandy Smith had been arrested.

It added fellow activists had “invaded” the police station to “support her” and later posted: “A big well done to Mandy and the other south east activists who defended the Ukip meeting yesterday.

“Freedom of speech will prevail.”

Britain First leader Paul Golding also posted support for Smith, later saying she was wrongfully arrested after pushing a camera away from her face.

Smith was dealt with by a method called restorative practice, in which she gave the victim – who suffered no injuries – a verbal apology.

For the method to be used, offenders must admit the offence, but they are not left with a criminal conviction.

Police spokesman Lisa Humphrys said: “A 50-year-old woman from Canterbury, who was arrested in Margate on suspicion of assault has been dealt with by way of restorative practice in liaison with the victim.

“Apart from this one incident, there have not been any physical confrontations and the protest was generally conducted peacefully.

“As with all such events, the primary role of Kent Police is to work with the partners to facilitate peaceful protest while ensuring public safety.”

Kent Online

Courtroom photo lands right-wing activist Amanda Smith in prison

By
September 18, 2016
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A far-right activist who photographed a suspected rioter in a court corridor has been jailed for three weeks.

Amanda Smith, 52, snapped the defendant as he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court accused of violent disorder at the Dover riots.

Her lawyer, Kerry Waitt, attempted to claim Smith was a court reporter, having attended many of the riot hearings.

But Judge Adele Williams told Mr Waitt: “I don’t think you can compare this defendant and her activities to our very well-respected court reporter from the Kentish Gazette.”

Smith, of Shipman Avenue, Canterbury, was spotted by security staff taking the picture as others posed for it outside Court 6.

She has now been jailed for 21 days after admitting being in contempt of court.

The mum of two was told by the judge: “Your conduct was wholly unacceptable – especially taking a picture of someone waiting to be dealt with for violent disorder.”

It has been an offence for 91 years to take photographs in and around courts in England and Wales and is regarded as a common law contempt, attracting jail sentences.

Mr Waitt said Smith was “not present at what has now become known as the Dover Riots but she has an association with the South-East Alliance”, regarded as a far-right group.

He added: “This is a group which shares views on politics and immigration and other topical matters. They communicate with each other in chatrooms.

“And as she lives near to the court and it being school holidays she was encouraged by others and agreed to come to the court to report to families of those who were in court.”

He told Canterbury Crown Court that Smith worked at a “local education establishment” and now “bitterly regrets allowing herself to become involved” in taking the photograph.

“She was invited to take a photograph and didn’t apply her mind to what she was doing,” he said.

“She is now contrite and has learned her lesson.”

Judge Williams said security staff were aware that Smith had attended many of the hearings involving those alleged to have taken part in the riots in Dover in January.

Kent Online

‘Hamster gangster’ Andrew Gilbert, from Sheerness, jailed for his part in Dover riots

By
September 16, 2016
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A cleaner nicknamed “the hamster gangster” after holding up a pet shop has now been jailed for his part in the Dover riots.

Andrew Gilbert has no political allegiances and said he became caught up in the protests because he looking for a job!

Gilbert went to January’s demonstrations with his boss “hoping to curry favour” and land a permanent post.

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But instead of a job, Gilbert, of Clyde Street, Sheerness ended up with a jail sentence for violent disorder.

The 29-year-old was nicknamed “the hamster gangster” after holding up a Canterbury pet shop seven years ago.

Gilbert had gone to Animal Antics in Wincheap, claiming he was carrying a gun and told staff: “Hand over a hamster, or I will shoot you!”

Now Canterbury Crown Court has heard how he travelled to Dover with his boss in January this year and joined a group of right-wing demonstrators.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said he was seen by police at the head of a group who broke through police lines as officers tried to keep them away from a left-wing counter demonstration.

She said that Gilbert – who was wearing distinctive black and red trainers – was also caught on CCTV throwing four missiles at rivals.

He later told police he had gone along after being invited by his boss but knew nothing about “left wing or right-wing groups”.

Gilbert said he was told he was supporting truckers but was hoping he could secure a permanent job by joining his boss at a rally.

Ms Todd added: “He said he saw bad things and claimed he only threw small items after they had been thrown at him. He also expressed his remorse.

“He said he was scared at times but didn’t leave because he feared he would be beaten up by members of the right wing if he did,” she added.

Phil Rowley, defending, said at the time of the Dover demonstrations he was working for an agency on the Isle of Sheppey but was hoping to get a better job with a cleaning company.

“He doesn’t have any political or ideological affiliations – he was there to curry favour with his boss. He will not be attending any further demonstrations.”

Judge James O’Mahony jailed him for six months saying he had sympathy with the reasons he attended the demonstration.

In 2009, a drunken Gilbert went into a shop and threatened to shoot an assistant — unless he gave him a hamster.

Gilbert claimed he had a gun, shouting: “Do you want me to shoot you? I am going to shoot you if you don’t give me that hamster!”

He left after staff called 999 and was arrested minutes later in Wincheap, but had no weapon.

Gilbert, who was living at Guildford Lodge, Canterbury, later pleaded guilty to two charges of affray and was given a two-year supervision order.

Kent Online

Judge warns Sunderland drug dealer he is facing jail

By
September 15, 2016
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A CANNABIS user who sold drugs to fund his own supply has been warned he is facing jail.

Kevin Sayers started dealing the Class B drug to friends, who were already users, so he could support his own habit.

The 27-year-old, of Athol Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug with intent on February 28.

Paul Currer, defending, told Newcastle Crown Court: “He was as heavy cannabis user for some time. He would be selling cannabis to a close circle of friends, who were users.

“There was a commercial element because he had to make money to buy his own cannabis in the first place.” Prosecutor Mark Guiliani said the crown’s case is Sayers was making money “over and above” what he needed for his own supply.

Judge James Goss QC adjourned the case until January and ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Sayers was granted bail.

But the judge warned: “The fact I am adjourning sentence for the preparation of a report does not indicate what the sentence will be.

“The sentencing judge will have all sentencing options, including prison, open to him or her at the hearing in January.”

Sunderland Echo

Soldier’s race hate remarks

By
September 9, 2016
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A teenage soldier made religious and race hate remarks to a takeaway worker after salt was put on his chips.

Tyler Pollitt, who was described as expected to have a very bright future in the British Army, was abusive about the worker’s Muslim religion and ethnic origins after going into the Feast About takeaway in Blackpool.

Pollitt, an 18-year old logistics gunner with the Royal Artillery, of Wilkinson Street, Leigh, Wigan, pleaded guilty to religiously and racially threatening behaviour.

He was fined £500 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the takeaway worker plus £50 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said Pollitt went into the Feast About takeaway on August 20 at 6.45pm and after he complained his portion of chips had salt on, the assistant made him another portion. Pollitt continued to complain and then made the vile remarks.

When a policewoman tried to arrest him, Pollitt threw himself to the floor claiming she had punched him, before making race hate remarks to a nearby group of Asian men.

A report from Pollitt’s commanding officer, which was read to the court, described him as an intelligent hard-working soldier who was expected to have a very bright future in the Army.

David Scully, defending, said his client had come to Blackpool with two friends and had too much to drink. He was ashamed of what had happened and had voluntarily offered to pay his victim compensation.

Blackpool Gazette

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Man fined for throwing firework during EDL march in Nottingham

By
September 7, 2016
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A man was fined £80 for throwing a firework in the street during a march by the EDL in Nottingham on August 6.

Jack Stevens, 26, pleaded guilty when he appeared before magistrates in the city on Tuesday. He was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.

The charge was bought under the 1837 Town Police Clauses Act and said that “on King Street he wantonly threw a firework to the obstruction, annoyance or danger of residents”.

A government surcharge of £30 was ordered from Stevens whose address was given in court papers as Oxford Street, Long Eaton.

Officers were drafted in from Greater Manchester, Durham and Lancashire, as well as forces closer to home like Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, to tackle the protest and counter protest by anti-fascist groups.

Businesses said they lost out on thousands of pounds as a result of the disruption, a wedding was moved from the council house and the beach in Old Market Square was temporarily closed.

Police made five arrests but thanked the public for helping them to bring the protests to a peaceful conclusion.

Nottingham Post

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