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Two Hartlepool rioters have been jailed for violent disorder

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September 3, 2024
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A rioter who was bitten on the stomach by a police dog when he repeatedly threw objects at officers as he refused to move back has been jailed.

John Barton was amongst a violent group of alleged protesters who had violent clashes with officers as they battled to regain control of the streets of Hartlepool.

The 33-year-old had been drinking in town with friends before becoming embroiled in the violence which left communities in the town struggling to come to terms with what happened that night.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said Barton was seen hurling a brick at police officers and refusing to move back. One officer, who had a police dog, “stood his ground” before the dog bit the defendant in the stomach area.

Barton, of Duke Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the events on July 31.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, said her client had shown genuine remorse for his behaviour and it was going to be the ‘biggest regret of his life’.

She said: “His time in custody has been a sobering experience, perhaps it should be for people involved in such horrendous violence.”

Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced the father-of-one to 27 months in prison for his role in the violent disorder.

He said: “You were observed on Murray Street, you were part of a group throwing missiles at officers and who refused to retreat when ordered to do so.

“You were observed to throw bricks at police officers and when refusing to leave, you were bitten by a police dog and arrested.”

Another Hartlepool rioter to have been jailed at Teesside Crown Court was Natalie Wood who was caught throwing a plastic bottle at police during the violent disorder.

Miss Masters said the 39-year-old was also heard shouting – ‘come on then’ towards the police on footage which was found on social media and the defendant was recognised by her probation officer.

Wood, of Richmond Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Kate Barnes, mitigating, said: “She had no knowledge or interest in the political aspects of events on July 31 and wasn’t part of the organised gathering.

“She joined those gathering and for a long time did nothing but be present then she did throw that bottle towards the police line.

“She accepts that she has done wrong.”

Judge Laird also sentenced Wood to 27 months in prison.

He said: “You were captured on film in the Murray Street area, picking something off the ground and throwing it in the direction of police officers before shouting – ‘come on then’.”

Northern Echo

Man with ‘maniacal grin’ built bonfire and piled up bins during riot

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September 3, 2024
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A man who had a “maniacal grin” on his face while he built a bonfire, piled up wheelie bins and threw objects at police during unrest outside a Merseyside mosque on 30 July has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Christopher Beard, 33, is about to become a grandfather but he lost his job since he was caught on footage “enjoying the chaos”, the court heard.

Louise McCloskey, prosecuting, said that in the video – taken as police vehicles tried to move away – Beard could be seen “turning and laughing, with what can only be described as a maniacal grin, towards the crowd”.

Charles Lander, defending, said Beard, from Wigan, had been working in the area and had gone to “show some respect”.

Sentencing, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “It is no mitigation at all to say you, or some of you, went simply to pay your respects. That lies ill in the mouth of any of you, given your subsequent behaviour.”

“There’s footage of you literally building a bonfire in the middle of the road, pulling wheelie bins on top of each other.”

BBC News

Boy, 15, believed to be first youth to get custodial sentence over riots

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September 3, 2024
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A 15-year-old boy is believed to have become the first youth to receive a custodial sentence for taking part in the disorder.

The teenager, who can’t be named for legal reasons, joined an anti-immigration march in Bristol on 3 August.

He was involved in clashes with police in Castle Park, on Bristol Bridge and near a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Bristol Crown Court heard the defendant, who had drunk a couple of cans of cider, was swearing at police and also participated in chanting.

The prosecutor told the court he was also filmed near a hotel throwing a chair at a stationary police vehicle and kicking it.

The boy later handed himself over to police and pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Addressing the court, the boy, who has no previous convictions, said: “I really regret it and wish I didn’t go that day. I am very sorry.”

District Justice Nicholas Wattam imposed a four-month detention and training order.

“Ultimately you participated in an incident involving persistent disorder directed towards the police and public.”

The judge added: “The primary purpose of youth justice is to prevent reoffending.

“My view is that this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”

The boy was released on conditional bail until his appeal hearing is heard in court.

BBC News

Racial hatred post did not break X rules

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September 3, 2024
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The wife of a Conservative councillor who was convicted for stirring up racial hatred on social media did not violate X’s rules with the post.

Lucy Connolly, a childminder from Northampton, has pleaded guilty to publishing a social media post intending to stir up racial hatred after calling for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight.

A few days after her post, X rejected a complaint from a user who flagged the message to it.

The social media giant did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The 41-year-old, whose husband Raymond Connolly is a West Northamptonshire councillor, had posted on 29 July calling for hotels housing migrants to be set on fire and for “mass deportation now”.

“If that makes me racist, so be it,” she added.

It came as disorder broke out at a number of locations across the country, with hotels containing asylum seekers attacked.

An X user, who did not want to be identified, described how they had alerted the platform to the now deleted post but had been rebuffed in an automated response.

They told the BBC: “I’m shocked and appalled. If they can ignore this clear-cut breach of their alleged rules of conduct and go against UK law, there is clearly a grave problem with their supposed moderation process.”

Analysis

By Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

This summer has brought into sharp focus the real-world consequences of what spreads on social media – and the disconnect, at times, between what breaks the law, and what breaks some social media sites’ rules.

X, formerly known as Twitter, has been under fire – because it was the place where disinformation and hate that fanned the flames of the riots spread rapidly. And there were accusations it allowed – and incentivised – these kinds of posts, something I investigated at the time.

Decisions made by X’s new owner Elon Musk, including about what kind of posts are allowed on the site, introducing paid-for blue ticks that offer users’ posts greater prominence and reinstating some accounts that had previously been banned, have all been scrutinised.

He has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to freedom of expression. He also has decided to directly wade into UK politics – and has continued to comment on the sentencing of some Brits for their posts online related to the riots.

This case is another example of where what’s allowed in the world of X is at odds with what’s allowed in the eyes of the law. It raises tricky questions for politicians and the UK’s regulator, Ofcom, looking to enforce a new Online Safety Act.

X hasn’t responded to the BBC’s previous requests for comment – and says online it protects and defends the users’ voice.

X’s rules, external explicitly prohibit “threats to inflict physical harm on others, which includes threatening to kill, torture, sexually assault or otherwise hurt someone”.

In response to the complaint, X emailed: “After reviewing the available information, we want to let you know our automated systems found that [Connolly’s X account] hasn’t broken our rules against posting violent threats. We know this isn’t the answer you’re looking for.”

The X user said they had previously flagged up concerning messages on the platform and had received similar responses.

“I’ve largely given up reporting now as I always get the ‘no violation’ response, despite clear breaches,” they added.

Last month, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said tech firms “have an obligation now” to tackle material that incites violence.

It followed an open letter, external from media regulator Ofcom to social media platforms that said they should take action against such posts and not wait until Ofcom gets enhanced powers under the Online Safety Act.

The new rules, which will come into force in 2025, will compel companies to take “robust action” against illegal content and activity.

Under the act, tech firms could be fined up to £18m or 10% of their qualifying worldwide revenue, and senior managers could face criminal action.

The user who complained to X about Connolly’s post comes from the West Midlands but did not want to be identified because they feared trolling online.

“I have watched with dismay how racist rhetoric has flourished on the internet, across social media sites, spreading disinformation to deliberately stoke up division,” they said.

“I don’t think sites like X bear sole responsibility, but they play a significant role in the spread of disinformation and should, as a bare minimum, follow their own code of conduct.”

The owner of X, Elon Musk, took to the platform to comment on the previous conviction of a Northampton man who was jailed for copying Connolly’s message.

Tyler James Kay was sent to prison for 38 months after he admitted publishing the inflammatory posts calling for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight.

The billionaire described Mr Kay’s conviction as “messed up” to his 196 million followers.

Connolly will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 17 October.

BBC News

Hartlepool teenager smashed restaurant window in Middlesbrough disorder

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September 3, 2024
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A Hartlepool teenager who smashed a restaurant’s window during large scale disorder in Middlesbrough has been locked up.

Dylan Willis, 18, joined a mob of over 1,000 people that rampaged through Middlesbrough town centre on August 4.

He was caught on video carrying a brick on Parliament Road and throwing it at the window of the Red Lantern restaurant.

In a sentencing hearing at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, Judge Francis Laird: “The first time the large window didn’t break.

“You tried a further two times before achieving your goal of smashing the window pane.”

Willis, of Masefield Road, Hartlepool, handed himself in to police after footage of the disorder was shared by the force to trace those responsible.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard how homes, businesses and public buildings, including Teesside University and court buildings, were targeted by rioters during the disorder.

It followed a far right protest advertised on social media as protesters marched through the town.

Many chanted things such as “take back our country” and police had to use riot shields to protect them from bricks and concrete blocks.

Gary Wood, mitigating, stressed Willis’s actions were directed at property rather than people.

A pre-sentence report also described Willis as “vulnerable” due to his low IQ and lack of maturity.

Mr Wood added his client had no connection to any right wing views or groups and argued his was an “exceptional” case.

Judge Laird agreed to make a substantial reduction in the sentence but said the least he could pass was 14 months in a young offenders’ institution.

Hartlepool Mail

Latest Hartlepool rioters who joined in ‘mob violence’ are jailed at Teesside Crown Court

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September 3, 2024
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A man and woman who joined in the Hartlepool riot are starting jail sentences after becoming the latest offenders to be dealt with at court.

John Barton, 33, hurled bricks at police in Murray Street on the evening of Wednesday, July 31, and was bitten by a police dog after repeatedly refusing to move.

And Natalie Wood, 39, was arrested after she was identified from TikTok footage throwing something at the police cordon in the street and shouted “come on then”.

They were each jailed for 27 months at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, September 2, after previously pleading guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard how police, property and businesses came under attack after a crowd of around 200 people gathered in Murray Street at around 8pm.

Eight police officers were injured with two needing hospital treatment.

It followed a march which met at the cenotaph in Hartlepool town centre at 6pm following a series of social media posts that day when the exact addresses of local asylum seekers were shared.

Barton, a father to a young child, was arrested after riot police attempted to push back the large crowd in Murray Street at around 9.10pm.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: “An officer became aware of a male throwing bricks at the police and refusing to move back and disperse despite being continually told to do so.”

The court heard that Barton, of Duke Street, Hartlepool, joined other rioters after earlier drinking with friends in the town centre prior to the protest linked to the tragic murders of three children in Southport.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, said Barton’s involvement was “limited” and he understands the impact the riot has had on the community.

She added: “He tells me it’s the biggest regret of his life. He is genuinely sorry for what he’s done.”

Kate Barnes, for Wood, of Richmond Street, Hartlepool, said she had “no knowledge or interest” in any political event and for most of the time in Murray Street she simply watched what was happening.

Jailing Barton, Judge Francis Laird told him: “You were persistently abusive and aggressive. You were part of a violent mob. You threw missiles at police officers.”

And he said to Wood: “You were taunting police officers as part of a violent mob.”

Hartlepool Mail

Hull riot: Aggressive troublemaker shouted about Tommy Robinson and ‘two-tier policing’ during arrest

By
September 2, 2024
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He played a central role in scenes of disorder across the city centre in August

An aggressive troublemaker who was at the centre of serious disorder in Hull city centre later angrily claimed to police that he had been “radicalised” by activist Tommy Robinson – and that there was “two-tier justice” in this country.

Heavy-drinking Declan Wild yelled during a rant – that was filmed when he was arrested – that Robinson was “right” about what he had said. He also shouted comments about the “English Defence League” during an assault on a policeman.

During the earlier public disorder scenes, Wild chased a terrified Romanian man, who had been inside a BMW car, along with two others, when they were confronted. He had to be pulled back by another man. He also twice raided the Lush store during looting, Hull Crown Court heard.

Wild, 26, admitted violent disorder, racially aggravated assault and burglary on August 3 as well as two later offences of assaulting police as emergency workers on August 28 and 29.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that Wild was present during large-scale disorder in the Jameson Street and Paragon Street areas of Hull. He was among a group who aggressively confronted police in Paragon Street and he threw missiles outside the Masters Bar pub.

He was present in the Milky Way area, off Spring Bank, and seemed to be filming the disorder. He helped with building a barricade of tyres, some of which were set alight, and was on the scene during trouble at a garage.

He took a leading role in an incident in which a BMW car, containing three Romanian men, was surrounded. One of the terrified men was dragged out. Wild chased him as he fled and hit him on the back of his head before another man pulled him back. He damaged a car, including kicking a wing mirror off.

Wild was involved in twice raiding the Lush store, including coming back and filling a bag up with items before leaving with them.

Wild was identified and traced to an address in Rochdale on August 28. He was arrested and he kicked out at a police officer while shouting: “This is two-tier policing. Tommy Robinson has radicalised me and he was right.” He made comments about the “English Defence League” and “EDL”.

Wild recklessly headbutted a police sergeant the next day, hitting him near his eye and causing a wound. He did not directly headbutt the sergeant but there was a “clashing of heads” during aggressive behaviour by Wild. He had convictions for 13 previous offences, most of them when he was a youth, and including assaults and public disorder.

Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Wild pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He had proved that he could stay out of trouble for periods of time. “The majority of his offending was when he was a youth,” said Miss Thompson.

Wild had travelled to Hull from the Grimsby area, where he had been living with his girlfriend. He was originally from the Manchester area.

“He had no plan to be involved in the activities but one thing led to another and he got caught up in it,” said Miss Thompson. Wild accepted his behaviour and the motivation for it. He immediately apologised to the police for the assaults.

“No sentence of imprisonment will rectify the damage and hurt that he has caused,” said Miss Thompson. Wild used to be a heavy drinker and he had suffered from mental health problems.

Judge John Thackray KC told Wild: “Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence.” During the violence, 11 police officers were hurt and “immeasurable harm” was caused, as well there being a “huge financial cost”. Wild’s behaviour when he was arrested was “appalling”.

He was jailed for four years.

Hull Daily Mail

Tory politician’s wife admits race hate post on X

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September 2, 2024
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The wife of a Tory councillor has pleaded guilty to writing a social media post “intending to stir up racial hatred”.

Lucy Connolly, 41, a childminder whose husband serves on West Northamptonshire Council, called for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set on fire and for mass deportations.

Her expletive-ridden post appeared on the X platform on the day three girls were killed in Southport.

Connolly, a childminder, posted a call for hotels housing migrants to be set on fire and for “mass deportation now”.

“If that makes me racist, so be it,” she added.

Connolly, of Parkfield Avenue in Northampton, appeared by video link from HMP Peterborough at the hearing at Northampton Crown Court.

After admitting publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred, the judge announced that sentencing would be transferred to Birmingham to avoid any potential local bias given her husband’s political role.

Judge Lucking said: “Sentencing will entirely be a matter for the judge on the next occasion but it’s likely to be a substantial custodial sentence.

“In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.”

Her husband watched the hearing from the public gallery.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism unit, said: “During police interview, Lucy Connolly stated she had strong views on immigration, told officers she did not like immigrants and claimed that children were not safe from them.

“It is not an offence to have strong or differing political views, but it is an offence to incite racial hatred – and that is what Connolly has admitted doing.”

She will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 17 October.

BBC News

Tory councillor’s wife pleads guilty to stirring up racial hatred

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September 2, 2024
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Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Tory councillor, has pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court to publishing a social media post which stirred up racial hatred.

The 41-year old called for mass deportations and attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers in a post on X on the day three girls were killed in Southport.

“Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bas***** for all I care… If that makes me racist, so be it,” the post read.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has just released a statement after Lucy Connolly admitted inciting racial hatred.

Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism unit, says: “During police interview Lucy Connolly stated she had strong views on immigration, told officers she did not like immigrants and claimed that children were not safe from them.

“It is not an offence to have strong or differing political views, but it is an offence to incite racial hatred – and that is what Connolly has admitted doing.

“The prosecution case included evidence which showed that racist tweets were sent out from Mrs Connolly’s X account both in the weeks and months before the Southport attacks – as well as in the days after.

“Connolly wrongly thought that she could escape justice by hiding behind a screen, but today she has pleaded guilty and admitted her crime. She will now face the consequences of her actions.”

Judge Adrienne Lucking KC told Lucy Connolly she’s likely to be sent to jail when she is sentenced next month.

The judge said the case was being transferred from Northampton to Birmingham to avoid any potential appearance of bias given Connolly’s husband held a political post in the local area.

Judge Lucking said: “Sentencing will entirely be a matter for the judge on the next occasion but it’s likely to be a substantial custodial sentence.

“In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.”

BBC News

He claimed he had gone shopping at Sainsbury’s – CCTV told a very different story

By
September 1, 2024
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“If they had all been shopping, one can only imagine the substantial profit Greater Manchester businesses would have made”

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

Charlie Mott, 28, was captured on CCTV footage wearing a face covering as he gestured to a large group of rioters to go into the store on Mosley Street. He then followed them in, and stole numerous items.

As others stole large amounts of alcohol, one man was seen to run out of the store carrying bunches of bananas. A judge described it as ‘delinquent behaviour’ which ‘took advantage’ of the unrest.

The court heard that the disorder followed the tragic events in Southport in which three little girls were killed and others were injured. False rumours began to circulate online as to the identity of the person responsible and as a result a number of ‘protests’ were arranged across the country, including in Greater Manchester, prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said.

On August 3, Mott was seen in Piccadilly Gardens where the disorder began before making his way down to Mosley Street. Prosecutors described the protest as a ‘predominantly right-wing group’.

“This incident was nothing to do with the protests. This was delinquent behaviour by a group of people on Mosley Street taking advantage of the situation,” sentencing judge Patrick Field KC.

“This wasn’t a protest, this was a raid on a shop.”

The court heard that Mott was seen outside Sainsburys shortly before it was attacked by a ‘mob’, and he was seen to be ‘ushering’ others to go in and steal. He then went into the store and stole items, it was said.

“There were customers inside including a woman with a pushchair with her young child,” Mr Wilcock continued.

The store manager said he received information from the security staff that the group would be making their way down Mosley Street and came out onto the shop floor to help his staff. He said he could see people taking bottles of booze from the aisle and told staff to ‘let them take what they want’ as he was concerned for his staff’s safety.

In footage shown from outside the store, Mott was described as ‘encouraging’ people. A ’significant’ number of people were seen in the footage to charge into the store and run out with various items, including one man with a bunch of bananas.

“It’s rather apt that they stole bananas, isn’t it,” Judge Field said.

Inside the store, staff can be seen standing to one side in fear as the group ransacked the shelves. At one point a man from the group is seen to stop others from going inside before helping staff clean up some of the items strewn across the floor.

Mott was later seen to be one of many who joined in an attack upon a vape shop front. He was identified following a CCTV appeal. He was said to have a number of previous convictions including for theft and public order offences.

Mitigating, Megan Horner said her client was ‘extremely remorseful’. “He tells me he went into the city centre to go shopping, as with many others he got caught up in the protest,” she said.

“He fully accepts he got completely carried away with the mob mentality.”

Judge Field said he was ‘yet to encounter’ an offender who had gone for the purpose of joining the mob.

“If they had all been shopping, one can only imagine the substantial profit Greater Manchester businesses would have made,” he remarked.

Ms Horner added that Mott wasn’t intending to encourage others, instead he was ‘beckoning’ to two friends to get out of the way as he could see the police were coming.

“It’s quite clear you took advantage of the widespread disorder and with a group of others you took part in what can only be described as looting of Sainsburys,” judge Field said.

“Your behaviour was lawless, irresponsible and wholly unacceptable.”

Mott, of Barton Close, Eccles, was jailed for 18 months. He previously admitted violent disorder, theft from a shop and criminal damage.
Manchester Evening News