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Man downed pints and called police ‘traitors’ during serious disorder

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August 5, 2024
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Liam Riley formed a part of a “large crowd”, some of whom were “throwing rocks and bricks”

A thug downed “three or four pints” before calling police officers “traitors” during violent scenes of disorder in Liverpool city centre. Liam Riley, 41 and of Walton Road, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Monday, August 5 after he was charged with violent disorder in relation to events in the city centre on Saturday afternoon.

Prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court that Riley formed part of a “large crowd” of around 100 people, some of whom were “throwing rocks and bricks” towards police officers on Whitechapel, where a number of shop windows were also smashed. The prosecutor added: “The rest of the crowd began to run but the defendant stood his ground, shouting and waving his arms.”

Riley was taken to the ground by officers, but continued to shout calling them “traitors” and “Muslim lovers”. The court heard the defendant “appeared very drunk to officers”.

The defendant was found in possession of a banner reading “this is our city” following his arrest. Under interview, he “said he’d heard through word of mouth” of a protest at the Pier Head and attended “in sympathy”.

Riley was said to have been wearing a St George’s flag and “said he’d been to the pub and had three or four pints”, but “accepted he did get involved”. Riley, who was brought into the dock wearing a grey jumper and with a shaved head, spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth before he pleaded guilty to the violent disorder charge, as well as a count of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards a police officer.

Riley’s offending comes in relation to the violent disorder in Liverpool and around the country over the weekend. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after people were seen throwing bricks and debris at officers.

Scenes later spilled onto County Road in Walton, with rioters causing major damage in what police described as “serious violent disorder”. Chaos, violence and destruction followed as looters targeted businesses, bins were used to start fires and the Spellow Library & Community Hub was set alight.

Mark Dallas, defending, said there would be no application for bail and added his client has no previous convictions. Riley was remanded into custody by District Judge Timothy Boswell ahead of his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on August 30.

Liverpool Echo

Liam Riley pleads guilty violent disorder and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour

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August 5, 2024
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The 41-year-old, Walton Road, is charged with violent disorder in relation to events in the city centre on Saturday. He is brought into the dock wearing a grey jumper and with a shaved head.

Riley speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address and pleads guilty to the charge, as well as a count of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards a police officer.

Liverpool Echo

Declan Geiran ‘attempted to set police van on fire’

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August 5, 2024
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Declan Geiran will now appear before the court.

The 29-year-old, of Kelso Road in Kensington, is charged with violent disorder and arson in relation to a Ford Transit van.

It was previously reported that he attempted to set a police vehicle on fire on William Brown Street in the city centre on Saturday, although Merseyside Police said the “flames were quickly extinguished”.

Geiran enters the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, with short mousey hair and tattoos on his neck.

He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address before pleading guilty to both counts.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk, referring to CCTV footage of the incident, says: “He appeared to attend a secure police vehicle which had been abandoned. He’s seen to use an implement to attempt to set fire to the vehicle before making off.”

Geiran was then “found in possession of two lighters and a mobile phone” following his arrest.

He has 13 previous convictions for 18 offences, including breach of a community order and a malicious communications offence.

The defendant is remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing before the crown court on August 30.

Judge Boswell tells him: “Plainly, given what has happened, there is a real prospect of immediate custody.”

Liverpool Echo

Man pleads guilty to violent disorder in Sunderland after being caught out by ‘distinctive tattoos’

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August 5, 2024
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A man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder after unrest in Sunderland on Friday.

Josh Kellett, 29, of Southcroft, Washington, admitted the offence at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard he was seen on footage throwing a stone towards police officers while part of a large group.

He was wearing a balaclava but was identified by his “distinctive tattoos,” it was said.

Kellett was remanded in custody until his sentencing at crown court on September 2, after a district judge said his case was “too serious for this court”.

Sunderland Echo

John O’Malley’s guilty plea ‘not accepted at this stage’

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August 5, 2024
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The 43-year-old, also of Cambridge Gardens, is charged with violent disorder in connection with the disturbance in Southport on Tuesday. He is brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and glasses with a shaved head.

O’Malley speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birthday before pleading guilty to the charge. Mr Sanderson-Kirk: “Mr O’Malley is identified by a member of the public. He is arrested at home.”

His guilty plea is entered on a basis “that his involvement was standing in a group of people shouting and gesticulating but not throwing objects, damaging property or assaulting anyone”. Mr Sanderson-Kirk says the basis is “not accepted at this stage” by the prosecution.

Mr Coleman says his client is “very lightly convicted”, although there is an entry for battery in 2023. Judge Boswell remands O’Malley into custody ahead of his sentencing before the crown court on August 29.

Liverpool Echo

Teen, 14, admits violent disorder in Liverpool

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August 5, 2024
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A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, to violent disorder.

Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting, said the boy was seen by police officers among a group of eight to 12 other young people in Clayton Square, Liverpool, at about 10.30pm on August 3 setting fireworks off in the direction of members of the public and a police carrier.

He said: “They exploded underneath the police carrier.”

The court heard the boy, who cannot be named because of his age, said “I’m sorry, I wasn’t firing them at you, though”, when he was arrested by police after they gave chase. He had five fireworks and a lighter in his possession.

The boy, whose father and uncle were in court, has no previous convictions, the court heard.

Iqbal Singh Kang, defending, said the teenager had been in the city centre to catch a bus home: “He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance or adding to the disorder.

“Without thinking things through, he became involved in something much more serious. It’s completely out of the blue.”

The boy was released on bail until August 27, when he will be sentenced.

Manchester Evening News

William Morgan pleads guilty to both charges

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August 5, 2024
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The court will now hear the case of William Morgan.

The 69-year-old, of Linton Street in Walton, is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place – namely a wooden bat – in relation to events on County Road on Saturday night.

Wearing a black t-shirt and sporting short grey hair in the dock, he speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before pleading guilty to both charges.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk says: “Officers were deployed to County Road in response to widespread disorder. Officers were equipped with full riot gear. Approximately 100 people set fire to bins, damaged buildings and set fire to buildings.

“Mr Morgan was identified as throwing bricks towards officers. The defendant had a wooden bat in his hand. An officer attempted to detain him. The defendant resisted shouting to get off him and pulling his arms away and swearing at officers.”

Morgan has no previous convictions.

His solicitor Jeremy Coleman says: “It would seem he was out on saturday night on his way home and then became involved in it. He is somebody who suffers from COPD and high cholesterol.

“He’s a semi-retired welder. I invite you to grant him bail with conditions of a curfew and residence.”

Judge Boswell says: “Given the nature of the offences and widespread public disorder, there is plainly a real prospect of an immediate custodial sentence. By his own admission, he has been part of violent disorder when armed with a weapon.

Morgan is remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing at the crown court on August 29.

Court is now adjourned until 2pm.

Liverpool Echo

Boy seen with ‘firework in hand’

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August 5, 2024
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Mr Sanderson-Kirk says that the teenager was seen outside B&M on Clayton Square after the store had been “looted” in a ”group of around 8 to 12”.

He adds: “Three of the males lit fireworks and set them off in the direction of members of the public. “They exploded underneath a police carrier

“Police officers gave chase. [The boy] was arrested. On being spoken to he said I’m sorry, I wasn’t firing them at you though. Five fireworks were found on him, along with a lighter.”

Footage played to the court shows the youth with a firework in hand, lighting it and firing towards a police carrier.

His solicitor Mr Kang says: “It’s not disputed.” Mr Sanderson-Kirk says that “no injury was caused” as a result.

Judge Boswell says the case should be adjourned in order for a pre-sentence report to be obtained.

Mr Kang: “The court will naturally be concerned about a 14-year-old finding himself in these circumstances.

“He has no prior convictions whatsoever. He has never been in trouble with the police before. It is completely out of character for him.

“How did this come about? 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 doesn’t know why he became involved but didn’t think things through. Through his lack of maturity and age, there was an excitement on his part. He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance. Without thinking things through, he became involved in something much more serious than he intended. He accepts he was involved in that disorder and shouldn’t have been involved.

“He was perhaps confused what their intentions were other than being part of a trouble making group. He’s 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 hadn’t been heading into the city centre to catch a bus, we wouldn’t be convened here like this.”

The judge orders the preparation of the pre-sentence report.

The boy is released on bail until August 27 under the condition that he does not enter the L1. L2 or L3 postcode areas.

Liverpool Echo

Man who pelted officers was floored by police dog during Sunderland disorder, court told

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August 5, 2024
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Yobs involved in Friday’s night’s rioting in Sunderland have appeared in court to admit their guilt.

Andrew Smith, 41, Josh Major, 29, and Leanne Hodgson, 43, were remanded into custody due to fears they would engage in further violence.

Smith, of Swan Lodge, High Street East, tossed an object at police as they dealt with shocking mob violence in city centre Keel Square.

His antics led to him being subdued by a police dog, prosecutor John Garside told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Garside added: “The police state the defendant has been identified due to throwing an object at officers. A police dog took him to the ground.”

Balaclava-clad Major, also known as Kellett, 29, of Southcroft, Fatfield, Washington, was caught on camera throwing a stone in the city centre.

Despite trying to hide his identity, Major, who has 20 previous convictions, was identified by his distinctive tattoos, Mr Garside said.

He added: “The defendant can clearly be seen on footage where he is acting as part of a large group and throwing a stone.

“He was wearing a Balaclava but visible were tattoos which allowed him to be identified.”

Alcoholic Hodgson, of Holborn Road, Ford Estate, claimed she involved herself in violence only after she left a pub which closed early due to disorder outside.

But Mr Garside said of Hodgson, who has six previous convictions: “The evidence shows that the defendant was identified from footage which shows her repeatedly pushing a large, wheeled bin towards police.

“There was a large crowd cheering her on and joining in. The defendant was subsequently arrested at her home address.”

All three defendants pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and were remanded into custody by District Judge Zoe Passfield.

The judge told them they had willingly engaged in violence.

She ordered pre-sentence reports, and the defendants will appear next at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, September 2.

Paul McAlindon, defending Smith, said: “He does absolutely regret the decision he made to be involved in it.

“He hasn’t been in trouble for 14 years. He is alcohol dependent. Alcohol played a part on Friday.”

Sandra Fife, defending Major, did not make representation to the court and did not apply for bail.

Annalisa Moscardini, defending Hodgson, said: “She had been in a pub drinking. The pub was being closed and she has gone out into the street.

“There are long running alcohol problems, and there is mental health. This is not a woman who has gone out intent on violence.”

Three other defendants have appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in connection with Friday’s disorder in Sunderland.

Shaun Doran, 48, of Villette Road, Hendon, pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder in city centre Holmside.

Clinton Morrison, 31, of St Barnabas Way, Hendon, entered no plea to a charge of committing violent disorder in Market Square.

Brian Gilby, 27, of Hendon Burn Avenue, Hendon, pleaded guilty to burglary in relation to entering a city centre vape store, ransacked as part of the rioting, and stealing stock.

Gilby pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing violent disorder.

All three were remanded into custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 2.
Sunderland Echo

Man in court in Liverpool after becoming ‘violent’ and ‘punching officer in face’

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August 5, 2024
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Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Southport, indicated guilty pleas to violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting, said PC Thomas Ball was deployed to the mosque on St Luke’s Road, Southport, on July 30, where a group of around 300 people arrived shouting “this is our f****** country” and “scumbag b*stards”.

The court heard officers had to withdraw for fear of being overwhelmed.

PC Ball stood to protect colleagues as they tried to put on riot gear when Drummond became violent, shouting “sh*thouses” and moved towards him, punching him in the face, Mr Sanderson-Kirk said.

Bricks were later thrown after a garden wall was broken down, the court was told.

Short clips of footage from a body-worn camera and the police helicopter were shown to the court.

No application for bail was made and District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded Drummond in custody for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on August 29.

Two women sat at the back of the court for the hearing, one was in tears and the other blew Drummond a kiss as he left.

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