Mark Bridgeford, 50, a grandfather, joined a mob attack in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3
A grandfather has been jailed for joining a mob attack on a lone black male – the latest rioter to face justice for the sickening violence that erupted in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3.
Footage played in a court showed ‘cowardly’ Mark Bridgeford, 50, from Salford, was part of a mob of white men who attacked a lone black male in the square as a protest and counter protest erupted in violence.
The grandfather-of-five admitted he shouted at riot cops who moved in to protect the man ‘sort your own f***ing country out’ after he had punched and kicked his victim.
Disorder hit towns and cities across the country, including in Greater Manchester, followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport last month. Incorrect rumours – that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat – spread on social media and appears to have fuelled the trouble.
Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock told Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday: “On the 3rd August this year there were large-scale protests in Piccadilly Gardens here in the city centre resulting from the tragic events in Southport where three young girls were killed and several others were injured. Rumours circulated online as to who was responsible for that and as a result of that we know far-right protests were arranged around the country in Bristol, Rotherham, Liverpool and here in Manchester.”
The protest in Manchester was alongside a ‘rival protest’ in Piccadilly Gardens, said Mr Wilcock.
Bridgeford was seen on footage later gathered by the police in the area for at least two hours, the court was told. A lone black male came into the area where the far-right protest was taking place and a ‘fight broke out’ which resulted in the black male on the ground, said Mr Wilcock.
“This defendant was one of those people who were throwing punches towards the male with clenched fists and the male goes to the floor,” said the prosecutor. The male was then ‘surrounded’ by members of the mob who kicked him to his legs while he was on the ground, said Mr Wilcock.
Bridgeford was captured on the footage listening to ‘heated discussions’ which were taking place and ‘makes no attempt what-so-ever to leave the scene’, the court heard. “He appears to be there willingly,” said Mr Wilcock.
Bridgeford was then captured running out of the Gardens towards Mosley Street before grabbing a rucksack being worn by an Asian male and ‘dragging him backwards’, the court heard.
Footage was played in court which showed riot police moving in to protect the black male from the baying mob after he was attacked.
Bridgeford was identified as one of the rioters by the subsequent police investigation and when he was eventually interviewed on August 16 he told officers he had gone into Manchester on August 3 to visit Metro Bank and to buy flowers for the grave of his late daughter for the first anniversary of her death.
The court heard Bridgeford had not been in trouble with the law for nine years although he had 12 previous convictions to his name, including for battery, harassment and taking a vehicle without consent.
Emily Calman, defending, pointed out her client had admitted his crime ‘at the first opportunity’ and added he had only gone into Manchester that afternoon for flowers for his daughter’s grave. She said her client was ‘swept up’ in the trouble as there had been talk at the protest of ‘saving daughters and saving children’.
“It brought about a considerable amount of emotion on Mr Bridgeford’s part,” said Ms Calman, who went on that at some points the footage showed the defendant ‘trying to help people away from the violence’.
The lawyer said Bridgeford ‘will live to regret’ his part in the disorder on a day when he had planned to ‘remember his daughter’. Her client had made no attempt to disguise himself at the scene nor to deny his involvement during his police interview, the court was told.
Ms Calman pointed out there had been a ‘considerable gap’ since her client, who has five grandchildren, had last been in trouble with the law. Since then he had ‘beaten alcoholism’ and had been ‘working on himself’ to address mental health problems, she said.
Judge Patrick Field KC said ‘one suspects it may well have been’ a racially aggravated attack but he said he would not sentence the case as such as the burden of proof had not been met to the ‘criminal standard’.
The judge told the defendant: “You became involved in ugly and mindless violence and behaviour for which one trusts you are properly ashamed. You became part of of an assault on another man in Piccadilly Gardens. It was all part of a mass gathering that’s been described as a protest although the purpose and the nature of the protest remains unclear to me.
“A group of men surrounded and attacked another man kicking and punching him and it was all accompanied by shouts of encouragement from others. You specifically became willingly involved in what’s going on, punching the black man to his back and when he fell to the ground you kicked him. Those were cowardly punches and indeed cowardly kicks.”
Bridgeford, of Canon Street in Salford, nodded to the judge as he was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to one offence of violent disorder. No friends or family members were present in the public gallery when he was sentenced.
Carl Ryan, 55, had been drinking in a Wetherspoons pub when he joined the trouble on August 3
A man who took part in attack on a lone black man when rioting erupted in Piccadilly Gardens sobbed in court when a judge spared him a jail sentence.
Carl Ryan, 55, a father-of-three from Gorton, tried to trip the man as he fled a baying mob when a protest and counter-protest erupted in violence in Manchester city centre on August 3.
Disorder hit towns and cities across the country, including in Greater Manchester, followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport last month. Incorrect rumours – that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat – spread on social media and appears to have fuelled the trouble.
Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock told Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday: “Following the tragedy on July 29 in Southport in which three young girls were killed and others were injured, false rumours began online as to the identity of the person involved and as a result of this false information a variety of demonstrations and protests were planned around the country, some in Middlesbrough in the north east and further afield in Bristol and also in Liverpool and here in Manchester.”
Disorder erupted in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and Ryan was part of a ‘significant group’ who had gathered, according to the prosecutor, who went on that footage gathered by the subsequent police investigation showed an ‘altercation’ between members of the mob and a lone black male who was punched and kicked on the floor.
Ryan tried to kick the male ‘but was unsuccessful’, said Mr Wilcock. The defendant then ‘remained in the area’ as police moved in to save the man from further violence, the court was told.
The defendant was also captured kicking at an Asian male but again ‘was unsuccessful’, said Mr Wilcock.
The disorder prompted a huge police investigation in which the man who had aimed the two kicks was initially identified only as ‘male 9’. Following a police appeal for information, Ryan handed himself into a police station on August 19 and identified himself as male 9.
Ryan, who had no previous convictions, was interviewed, accepted his part in the attack and apologised, the court was told.
David Bentley, defending, said Ryan had travelled into Manchester with his wife, from whom he is separated, on August 3 to drink in a Wetherspoons pub near Piccadilly Gardens.
Combined with medication he is also taking, the alcohol ‘had an adverse effect on him’, said Mr Bentley. The couple had intended to head to another pub but he ‘inexplicably’ became involved in the trouble, the court was told.
Mr Bentley said his client ‘did not assault’ the black male and had only attempted to trip him, adding that his client denies being racist and was ‘in no way affiliated to any organisation from the far right’. One of Ryan’s grandchildren was mixed race, said Mr Bentley.
“The defendant rejects any suggestion his actions that day were based on hostility towards any race or religion,” said the barrister, who added his client ‘deeply regrets’ his actions.
Ryan had identified himself as ‘male 9’ to the police before they knew his identity, said Mr Bentley, who went on to describe a series of character testimonials including from a Muslim friend.
The court heard Ryan had battled cancer previously, and now suffered associated health problems, and his youngest son is also now being treated for cancer.
Judge Patrick Field KC told the defendant: “You became involved in an ugly incident of disorder. Having listened to all that’s been said today, it’s still unclear to me how that happened. I’m sure that’s something that will trouble you for some time to come.
“However, became involved you did and that involvement included indirect involvement in what was an assault by others on a black male. They attacked him mercilessly. He attempted to run away, or at least run after the man who had punched him, and as he passed you tried unsuccessfully to trip him up which on any view was a rather malicious thing for you to try to do. You then remained part of the angry crowd that was shouting and gesticulating. Whilst there, you were seen on some of the footage to grab and try to kick another man, of south Asian appearance.”
Ryan, appearing in court via videolink from prison, mouthed ‘thank you’ to the judge and made a prayer sign with his hands, and then sobbed uncontrollably, after Judge Field decided to suspend a jail sentence.
Judge Field said the incident had been ‘shameful’ but the defendant’s role was ‘rather limited’. “In view of your personal mitigation particularly and in view of the fact I believe there are reasonable prospects of rehabilitation, I propose to take an exception course in your case,” said Judge Field.
Ryan, of Collin Avenue in Gorton, was handed a 14-month prison sentence suspended for two years after he had early admitted a single charge of violent disorder.
A pair who threw missiles at police are to spend a significant stint in prison for their involvement in disorder in Bolton Town Centre.
Niall Charnock and Nigel Simpson were sentenced to 26 months and to 28 months respectively this week at Bolton Crown Court.
Charnock, from Bolton, and Simpson, from Chorley, were in attendance in the town centre on August 4 when there were clashes between protesters and counter-protesters after the killing of three children in Southport.
There were clashes between protesters and counter-protesters in towns across the country at around the same time.
The two men threw missiles at police in two individual incidents.
Charnock, of Fairclough Street, admitted violent disorder at the magistrates court on August 12. Judge Nicholas Clarke sentenced him to 26 months.
The prosecution asked for a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from the town centre but the order was not agreed to by the judge.
Judge Clarke said: “Your attendance was not accidental and by your actions it is clear you attended to engage in violence. Bolton Town Centre was not as battle-scarred as other areas but it is because of the police no member of the public or member of the police was injured.”
Simpson, of Deerfold, admitted violent disorder at the magistrates court on August 20. Judge Martin Walsh sentenced him to 28 months.
The prosecution asked for a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from the town centre but the order is to be addressed at a later date.
Judge Walsh said: “Greater Manchester Police had a challenge to protect the public and a dispersal order was put in place after 2pm. Subsequently there were a number of protesters and counter-protesters in the town centre. Many attended to engage in peaceful protest but others attended to engage in violence. At some stage you attended for this purpose.”
As of August 22, according to the Ministry of Justice, 576 people have been brought before the courts in relation to the disorder in the UK.
Almost all those to be sentenced have been sentenced to time in prison with a range of two months to six years and an average of two years.
A 30-year-old man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder after unrest in Bristol.
John Matthews, of Knowle, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court earlier. He is due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday.
During a policing operation on Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police arrested three further people on suspicion of violent disorder after unrest in the city centre on 3 August. They are aged 26, 33 and 43 years old.
Det Insp Peter Walker say they remain “relentless” in ensuring those responsible are “brought to justice”.
Police have now arrested a total of 38 people, 22 have been charged, with nine people handed prison sentences.
Hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group had gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park when the widespread disorder broke out.
The protests were sparked following the killings of three young girls in a knife attack at a children’s dance workshop in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.
Demonstrations became volatile after false claims were spread online about the person responsible.
After analysing more than 300 hours of CCTV footage from across the city, police have managed to identify nearly 40 people who displayed “racist and abusive” behaviour.
However, Mr Walker says there is still plenty more to be done.
“It’s very important to provide that public reassurance, to make sure we deal robustly with the disorder which has happened on our streets.
“We’ve consistently said we will identify people responsible for this unnecessary disorder and we will bring them to justice and put them before the courts,” he said.
Two men who played their part in an “escalation of hostility” towards an Asian man at a city centre protest have been sentenced.
Hundreds of people gathered near Nottingham’s Brian Clough Statue in King Street as part of demonstrations organised by rival groups on 3 August.
Tony Campion, 29, and David Witney, 39, pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke violence at two separate hearings at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
Another man – 35-year-old Paul Dixon – had previously been jailed in relation to the same incident, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 15 August, Dixon pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke violence, and possession of cannabis.
After watching the footage in court, district judge Sunil Khanna concluded Dixon had thrown “the first punch” and sentenced him to four months in prison.
Campion, of Whitcombe Gardens, Nottingham, was the second man to be sentenced in relation to the incident, the CPS said.
He was jailed for four months after pleading guilty to the same charge on 16 August.
A third man charged with the same offence – Witney – of Tennyson Avenue, Gedling, was handed a suspended sentence on Friday.
He was given a three-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
‘Clear consequences’
Nine people have so far appeared in court following their part in the unrest in the Nottingham city centre.
They were among 20 people arrested for their conduct during the demonstrations where rival groups were separated by officers.
The events in the city however were described by police as “largely peaceful” at the time.
Janine McKinney, from the CPS, said: “The arrests, charges, convictions and sentences we have seen over the last weeks make clear the consequences for those criminals on our streets and on social media. These individuals have paid the penalty that awaits anyone caught wreaking such havoc.
“We will continue to work at pace, alongside partners in the criminal justice system, to put anyone whose conduct has crossed the line into criminal behaviour before the courts to face the full consequences of their actions.”
A man who kicked out at a police officer after rioting broke out in Rotherham said he had “nothing better to do” when he decided to drive to the town.
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard Joshua Simpson travelled from Worksop to the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, where major public disorder had broken out on 4 August.
When he arrived at around 20:00 BST, he was aggressive towards officers guarding the hotel, pushed against the police line and kicked a riot shield, which in turn hit an officer’s leg.
Simpson, 26, a self-employed joiner of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and was handed a 12-month community order on Tuesday.
‘Nowhere else to go’
The court was told Simpson arrived at the scene “in the aftermath of the violent disorder”, was verbally abusive and tried to push through the police cordon still in place.
When he was told he could not pass through the cordon, he kicked out at one of the riot shields which connected with the officer’s lower leg.
The court heard Simpson later apologised to the officer, who had not suffered any pain or injuries.
During his interview, Simpson told police he had travelled to Rotherham as he had “nowhere else to go and nothing better to do”.
District Judge Marcus Waite said Simpson was not being sentenced for his intentions that day and highlighted that he had not been charged with violent disorder.
He noted Simpson, who is homeless, had no previous convictions and had already “effectively spent three weeks in prison” following his arrest.
He told the defendant: “You’ve not been in trouble before and I therefore accept that your actions were out of character.”
Judge Waite sentenced him to a 12-month community order, 20 rehabilitation activities and 120 hours of unpaid work.
Dozens of people have so far been convicted in relation to the Rotherham riot, which has been described by a judge as “racist in nature”.
Among those imprisoned are former Army peacekeeper Peter Beard, who was filmed attacking officers and Drew Jarvis, 19, who threw wooden planks, bricks and lit arrows at officers and the hotel.
The case of Joseph Iggo, 20, of Hartley Brook Road, Sheffield, previously reported by the BBC, was discontinued at Sheffield Crown Court on 19 August.
Sixteen people have appeared in court charged in connection with a riot earlier this month.
Middlesbrough saw a night of unrest on Sunday 4 August in a wave of disorder that swept across the country following anti-immigration fuelled social media misinformation about the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport.
All those appearing at Teesside Crown Court were charged with violent disorder, with some also accused of possessing an offensive weapon.
Of those seen on Tuesday, 14 men pleaded not guilty.
A metal bar, knife and scaffolding pole are among the weapons defendants have been accused of carrying.
One of those admitting offences was a 16-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to violent disorder
He denied a further charge of being in possession of a bladed article and was remanded into the care of the local authority.
Meanwhile, Jamie Govan, 27, of Hartington Road in Stockton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will be sentenced on 7 October.
Two further defendants had their hearings adjourned until Wednesday, while another case was dismissed.
Mark Blanchard, Carlos McStravock and Max Higson all admitted their roles in the riots and were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court
Three more men who engaged in the violent riots in Southport the day after a mass stabbing have been jailed. The men appeared before Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Tuesday, August 27 to be sentenced after they pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Mark Blanchard, 37, of Saints Close in Old Swan, was sentenced to two years and six months; Carlos McStravock, 33 and of Middle Way in Croxteth, was jailed for two years and four months; and Max Higson, 22 and of no fixed abode, was handed a two year jail term.
Thirty-three people have now been sentenced for their roles in the disorder. The courts previously heard that a violent mob, of around 1,000 people, targeted a mosque chanting “who the f*** is Allah” just an hour after a peaceful vigil was held in memory of three young girls killed in a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party the previous day.
Police officers were targeted with bricks, a vehicle was set alight and the mosque’s windows and walls were damaged. Dozens of officers were injured during the disorder, which later spilled out into rioting in Liverpool city centre and County Road in Walton the following weekend.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “These men were part of a group who brought violence to the streets of Southport, causing harm and fear in a community that was already in shock following the murders of Alice, Elsie and Bebe the previous day.”Those involved in the appalling scenes continue to be dealt with in court and there have now been 33 people sentenced for their role in the disorder in Merseyside.
Our officers have been working incredibly long hours to investigate the vast array of footage available from both incidents we’ve experienced in Southport and Liverpool and this will continue, with more arrests and charges to come.”I’d also like to recognise the vital role that the public have played in this conviction, too. We’re continuing to receive information from members of the local community and please continue to come forward. With your support, we can continue to take robust action against those who are responsible for the senseless violence witnessed in Merseyside.”
Niall Charnock admitted violent disorder following protests in Bolton
A rioter barged through a police barrier into a ‘neutral zone’ before launching a ‘plastic bottle’ at police officers during large-scale violent disorder in Bolton.
Bolton Crown Court heard how Niall Charnock, 31, was captured on video footage shared online ‘throwing a missile’ at officers and breaking down the barrier during protests in the Greater Manchester town on August 4.
Demonstrators and counter-protesters clashed outside Bolton town hall earlier this month as missiles were thrown at police. Chief Constable Stephen Watson previously said the ‘orchestrated criminality’ had nothing to do with lawful protest.
Prosecuting, Duncan Wilcock told the court that two ‘rival groups of protesters’ gathered in Bolton Town Centre and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers were deployed to keep the groups apart.
Mr Wilcock said around 250 people attended the gathering and that Charnock, of Edward Street, Farnworth, Bolton, was among them wearing a dark baseball cap and draped in a St George’s flag.
He told the court that footage taken at the riot just after 2pm captured Charnock breaking through a barrier set up by the police to separate the two groups before picking up a ‘missile’ and throwing it at the officers in front of him.
Mr Wilcox confirmed to Judge Nicholas Clarke KC that Charnock had ‘barged’ his way through the barrier into the ‘neutral zone’ in a bid to get to the opposing group.
udge Clarke said the footage, played to the court, showed what was clearly a ‘fast moving and dangerous situation’ for the dozens of police officers, including mounted officers, and members of the public in the area. He said the officers should be ‘applauded for the remarkable job’ they did handling the disorder in the face of ‘extreme provocation’.
Following the disorder a full investigation was launched by GMP to identify those involved. Charnock was identified and police attended his address on August 9 and seized various items of clothing that matched those seen in the footage of the riot.
The court heard that Charnock was arrested and gave a prepared statement when interviewed by police. He told officers he had made a ‘stupid mistake’ and acknowledged he should not have got involved but that the situation had ‘escalated quickly’.
Mitigating for Charnock, Darren Finnegan said Charnock had no relevant previous convictions and has ‘lived a quiet life’ with his partner of 12 years and their three children who are all aged under five.
The court heard Charnock has one previous conviction for burglary in 2015 for which he received a community order.
Mr Finnegan said Charnock had attended Bolton Town Centre on August 4 after seeing on social media that there was to be a ‘peaceful protest’ to ‘save the children’ following the fatal stabbings in Southport on July 29.
He said that at the protest ‘things got out of hand’ and Charnock threw a plastic water bottle at police officers but did not have a leading role in the disorder. The court heard that the bottle thrown by Charnock, described as a ‘missile’, was never recovered.
Mr Finnegan said the throwing of the missile came after Charnock was ‘pushed’ out of the neutral zone between the two rival groups by an officer, but that no fighting took place between Charnock and the officer.
He added that Charnock regrets what he did and is ‘profoundly remorseful’.
Charnock was jailed for 26 months. He was not granted a criminal behaviour order, with Judge Nicholas Clarke KC adding that the sentence ‘should serve as punishment enough’.
He will serve half of his term in prison before being released on licence.
Rioters have blamed a charity walk which “got out of hand”, an ill-fated trip to Gravity Max and being blackmailed by an older brother for their involvement in the disorder.
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 last month.
Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on the evening of July 30. A planned protest at the Pier Head the following Saturday then descended into violence, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.
The disturbances continued on County Road that night as chaos, violence and destruction ensued as looters targeted businesses in the area, including a fire being started at Spellow Library and Community Hub. Here, the ECHO has taken a look at some of the excuses defendants have given to the courts and to the police for becoming embroiled within the events.
A 14-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons
A 14-year-old boy from South Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 5. Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting told the court that this related to the teenager throwing fireworks at a police van near to B&M on Clayton Square in Liverpool city centre, a store which had earlier been “looted”.
He was found with five fireworks and a lighter following his arrest and told officers: “I’m sorry. I wasn’t firing them at you though.”
His solicitor Iqbal Kang told the judge: “He has no prior convictions whatsoever, he has never been in trouble with the police before. It is completely out of character for him.
“He tells me he headed into the city centre with the intention of catching a bus home. He was on his own. It seems, perhaps through inexperience and lack of maturity, he became involved with people he did not know who were offering out fireworks.
“He says he does not know why he became involved, but did not think things through. He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance.
“He has had plenty of time to think about his actions. He has spent two nights in custody. He understands how foolish and silly he has been and wishes he could turn the clock back.
“It is completely out of the blue. One could positively say if he had not been heading into the city centre to catch a bus, we would not be convened here like this.”
The boy will be sentenced at the youth court on August 27. He was released on bail until this date under conditions not to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcode areas.
Declan Geiran
Declan Geiran (Image: Merseyside Police)
Declan Geiran formed part of a “large group of males” who “attacked and damaged” a police van which had been parked near to St George’s Hall, including attempting to tip the vehicle over. A video which was later posted on TikTok showed the 29-year-old, of Kelso Road in Kensington, beside the open driver’s window and setting a seatbelt on fire before smoke was seen billowing from the cab.
CCTV footage captured him thereafter “remaining at the scene” and “sitting casually on the fountain outside the Walker Art Gallery watching the police van”, which was written off as a result of damage caused during the incident. He then filmed the scenes on his mobile phone as he left the area.
Geiran was however arrested after being “easily identified by his backpack, clothing and tattoos”, with lighters being seized from him upon his detention. Under interview, he told detectives that he had attended the protests alone as he “wanted to show his support for the bereaved families”.
Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, added: “He stated that he saw the van and heard shouts of ‘burn the van’. He said he was told to burn a book under the seat. He didn’t, but set fire to the seatbelt.
“He stated that he felt under pressure and that he did not believe his actions had caused the damage. He stated that he had not gone out to act violently and denied any negative thoughts on immigration or political issues.”
Geiran admitted violent disorder and arson. He was locked up for 30 months at the crown court on Wednesday, August 7.
Jordan Davies
Jordan Davies (Image: Merseyside Police)
Balaclava clad Jordan Davies brandished a knife near to the scene of a vigil for the victims of the Southport knife attacks then claimed that his daughter had been “stabbed up”. Just over 24 hours on from the fatal stabbings, children and families fled in terror after Jordan Davies was spotted carrying a flick knife a mere matter of minutes away from the scene.
One terrified dad even asked for his family to be locked inside a shop as the incident unfolded. Following his arrest, the mindless thug maintained that he had found the weapon while urinating near to a Tesco Express store after downing cans of cider and said he was intending to hand the item in to the police.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, August 9, that the “Southport community came together for a vigil” at 6pm on Tuesday, July 30, following the “tragedy” the previous day. Davies, of Portland Street in the town, was then seen in possession of the weapon a “short distance” away on Eastbank Street, near to the Wellington pub and a branch of KFC, at around 6.45pm.
Mr Taylor described how members of the public “ran and screamed” after a woman was heard to shout “he’s got a knife”. One witness, Michael Hayes, had been laying flowers at the scene with his partner, kids and friends and was forced to “push them into the nearby Baltic Supermarket for safety”.
Another, Claire Oldham, meanwhile saw Davies “approaching other males with the blade out”. The 32-year-old was also said to have pulled down a balaclava over his face during the altercation.
Police officers subsequently found him “hiding behind a pillar” near to a snooker hall on Princes Street. While he initially “denied having anything on him”, the knife was then discovered inside a bag which he had been wearing around his neck.
Davies then claimed he had “simply picked the bag up” and was in the area “for a peaceful protest”. He added that “his daughter had been stabbed up and he had been assaulted”.
Footage taken from a PC’s body worn camera was played to the court, and captured him saying: “I’ve got the bag off the floor, that’s it. I’ve got nothing on me.”
When told why he was being detained, Davies replied: “Cos of yesterday and I look a bit foreign? Are you kidding me? I understand what’s gone on, my daughter’s been stabbed. That’s not my bag. I’ve just picked the bag up.
“How’ve I got a lock knife on my f***ing person? I’ve just picked the bag up. My daughter’s been stabbed up. How’ve I got a knife on me? I just picked the bag up off the floor.”
Under interview following his arrest, Davies stated that he had earlier consumed “three to four ciders” at home and “picked up the pouch” while urinating near to a Tesco Express store “with the intention of placing it in an amnesty or taking it to a police station”. He added that he was only “seeking to do a good act”.
Davies admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place and breaching a suspended sentence order. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and wearing short dark hair, he nodded as he was jailed for two years.
A previous 16-week suspended sentence which was previously imposed upon him in June was also activated in full and ordered to run consecutively to this term, leading to a total sentence of two years and 16 weeks. Davies was meanwhile handed a serious violence reduction order, which will commence upon his release and last for two years thereafter, with forfeiture and destruction of the knife being ordered.
Dylan Carey
Dylan Carey (Image: Merseyside Police)
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday, August 12, that Carey was captured on CCTV mobile phone and body worn camera footage throwing items including a tin of paint and a bottle at officers, as well as kicking out at police vans. One PC later recognised him at Southport Station in the company of his girlfriend and dad from videos which had been circulated on X, formerly Twitter.
When spoken to, the 26-year-old “accepted he had been present but denied involvement”. But Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, described how he was then arrested at his home address on Castle Hill Road in Hindley, Wigan, on August 5.
Under interview, he “said he had travelled to lay some flowers and light a candle with his pregnant girlfriend” and then decided to attend the “peaceful protest” after seeing it advertised on a Facebook post. But, while there, he claimed he “grew angrier and began to throw items himself”.
Carey has no previous convictions. Colin Buckle, defending, told the court: “His intention was not to travel to Southport with criminal intent. He became involved by his own hand, he was not forced. The mood began to change, others began to behave in this way and he joined in. He cannot explain why. Their intention was to go in respect of what they believed to be a peaceful vigil. Things turned from that. Of course, he involved himself.
“The impact on him of a potentially lengthy custodial sentence is that that sentence will be exacted upon him in respect of the loss of his liberty, of course, but moreover due to the fact that, if your honour returns him to custody, he will miss the birth of his child.
“The couple have suffered from two miscarriages. The child they are expecting has complications. It is an uncertain time. He has been a rock to her. Of course, she has lost him by his own hand and his behaviour.
Carey, who was seen blowing kisses to his supporters in the public gallery during the hearing, admitted violent disorder. Wearing a white shirt and black tie in the dock, he was jailed for 18 months as his partner sat in tears with her head in her hands.
Philip Prescott
Philip Prescott (Image: Merseyside Police)
Philip 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”.
Prescott admitted violent disorder. He gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells after receiving 28 months in prison on Tuesday, August 13.
Tony Hazlett
Tony Hazlett (Image: Merseyside Police)
Tony Hazlett was captured on CCTV throwing two missiles in the direction of the police. When officers went to the 46-year-old’s home on Bank Road in Bootle on August 7, he was described as being “very drunk” and resisted arrest in a violent struggle. He later told police: “I’m sorry. I just did it because everyone was doing it.”
Hazlett explained that he had travelled by train to Southport with friends and accepted he threw “two pieces of slate” before leaving shortly after. The dad-of-six admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 28 months on Thursday, August 15.
Curtis Faure
Curtis Faure (Image: Merseyside Police)
Curtis Faure was captured in a single photograph “leaning back with a brick in his hand, about to throw it” on the Strand. The 19-year-old, of Thomas Lane in Broadgreen, handed himself in at Marsh Lane Police Station on the afternoon of August 8 after this image was circulated in the media by Merseyside Police.
He stated under interview that he “intended to go to Gravity Max when he heard about a riot on the Dock Road and wanted to see what was going on”. Faure told detectives that he had been present for up to half an hour and “picked up a single brick and threw it at police officers”, but said that the missile had not connected.
The teen added that he “could not provide an explanation why he behaved in that way” and maintained that his actions were not racially motivated, his parents originally being from South Africa. He has no previous convictions.
Faure admitted violent disorder. He was jailed for a year on Thursday, August 15.
George Clements
George Clements (Image: Merseyside Police)
Clements was captured on mobile phone footage near to a shop on Church Street which had been targeted by louts. The 18-year-old – of Egerton Street in New Brighton, Wirral – was shown with a brown scarf covering his face and “aggressively approaching” an older male with grey hair who was carrying a shopping bag.
He then turned his attention to a “male with an olive skin tone”, hitting out at his hand before being ushered away by another man. The teen however “broke free” and confronted the same victim again, kicking him to the area of his hip in what was said to have been a “racially motivated” attack.
Clements thereafter “gestured towards his penis” and “made a masturbation gesture”. He and another man then ran towards the older complainant, sparking other members of the public to intervene.
The thugs were then seen running away as sirens were heard in the background of the video. Clements was identified after this footage – which showed a child in a wheelchair in the vicinity on the violence – was shared on social media, leading to his arrest at his home address on August 9.
Julian Nutter, defending, told the court: “He did not go into town to participate in these unfortunate events. He went for a meal and became drunk. Things kicked off. He got drawn in, being the young fool he is, and acted in the reprehensible manner he did. He is not part of the looting. What we can see is disorderly behaviour.”
Clements admitted affray and breaching a suspended sentence order. He was nodded and smiled after he was jailed for two years on Thursday, August 15, then waved to his supporters in the public gallery as he was led down to the cells.
Ellis Wharton
Ellis Wharton (Image: Merseyside Police)
Brothers Adam and Ellis Wharton, both of Selwyn Street in Kirkdale, admitted burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library. Mr Taylor told Liverpool Crown Court: “At about 2am, officers were alerted by the National Police Air Service that persons had entered that library.
“PC [Thomas] Nielsen entered the library and saw Ellis Wharton in possession of a computer monitor. He was told to put it down and he did. He was told he would be arrested. Once secured, he said ‘I’m sorry, I’ve been blackmailed by my brother to do it and made a stupid decision. I’m sorry’.”
Adam Wharton was then detained on nearby Dunluce Street, having been circulated as wanted after “acting as a lookout”. The 28-year-old was found in possession of a balaclava at this time while also “sweating profusely”.
Ellis Wharton, 22, told detectives under interview that his brother had “knocked on his door asking him to go out with him” with the “indication that they would go looting”. Mr Taylor added: “Adam, he said, kept a lookout while he entered. The plan was to take monitors to sell. He denied any violence or disorder and simply stated that they joined the group to loot.”
Adam Wharton was jailed for 20 months on Thursday, August 8. Ellis Wharton, who also pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker, was imprisoned for 11 months.
Paul Daintith
Paul Daintith (Image: Merseyside Police)
Paul Daintith, of Fraser Street in Liverpool city centre, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public after he was spotted by police officers on East Street in Southport walking from a bush “at a quickening pace”. When stopped, he claimed that he had “just found a craft knife” and lifted his top up to PCs to show them the weapon within his waistband.
Following his arrest, Daintith stated that “he was a smackhead who picks everything up”. He was jailed for eight months on Friday, August 16.
Joshua Jones
Joshua Jones (Image: Merseyside Police)
A “football hooligan” claimed to have attended a three-mile charity walk in memory of the victims of the Southport stabbings before “things got out of hand” and he repeatedly hurled missiles towards police officers as violent scenes unfolded. Joshua Jones, of St Marks Road in Chester, was captured on video footage with his face covered by a scarf as he threw a series of objects towards PCs.
Mr Taylor, appearing for the prosecution, described how the 31-year-old also “moved forward with the surging crowd” and filmed the events on his mobile phone, having been “present from the start” and thereafter “front and centre”. Merseyside Police subsequently seized two samurai swords from his home when they attended in order to arrest him on the afternoon of August 12.
Under interview, he “stated that he went to Southport to attend the vigil” and “referenced taking part in a three-mile charity walk to support the murdered children”. Jones declined to watch any of the CCTV and said he “couldn’t remember anything” due to his undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD and autism.
However, he “acknowledged that things got out of hand”. Of the weapons discovered in his property, he added that the items had “been in the family for years” and said they “never left the house”.
Jones has a total of 15 previous convictions for 26 offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, entering the playing area at a football match, breaching a football banning order, possession of a banned fighting dog, theft and criminal damage. Judge Neil Flewitt KC compared his record to that of a “football hooligan who appears to enjoy disorder in large groups”.
He was also handed a 26-week imprisonment suspended for 18 months by magistrates in March this year for assaulting an emergency services worker after pushing a police officer “with force” and “pushing his thumb into a constable’s eye” during a domestic altercation. Charles Lander, defending, told the court: “He is totally ashamed of his actions.
“He could not bear to watch the video. He is embarrassed, particularly at how he has let down the families of the deceased and injured children, the wider community and also his own family.
“His partner has stood by him and is particularly tearful in court today. Once again, he is going to be apart from her for his own stupid actions. He maintains that he went there for lawful reasons but stupidly got involved.”
The judge said of this: “I have enormous difficultly accepting that from a man who is prone to violence and hooliganism. There is a very strong inference here that he went to Southport to join in the disorder.”
Mr Lander continued: “My instructions are that he did not. The three-mile walk was his intention. Ultimately, I do not seek to minimise his behaviour. The camera speaks for itself.
“Clearly, the defendant has suffered significant tragedy in the last few years. His brother died tragically from carbon monoxide poisoning, his father also died as a result of an unfortunate incident and his mother passed away last year.”
Jones, who previously worked as the manager of a gym in Spain, admitted violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and breaching a suspended sentence order. His partner sat in tears in the public gallery as he was jailed for 38 months.
Sentencing, Judge Flewitt said: “Given your previous convictions, in particular your history of football hooliganism, I view with some scepticism the suggestion that you travelled to Southport to take part in a vigil. The fact that you so willingly again took part in violence towards the police causes me to doubt your expressions of remorse.”
