Peter Towers admitted setting three deliberate fires in the space of eight hours

An arsonist who started three fires in eight hours, including torching a school bus, has been jailed.

Peter Towers pleaded guilty to three counts of arson, and admitted charges of criminal damage and having an offensive weapon.

Now, Towers, from Rosemary Crescent in Winsford, has been jailed for 10 years at Chester Crown Court. On Sunday 4 August 2024, during the far-right disturbances that swept across the UK, Cheshire Police were alerted to three intentional fires that had been started in Winsford between 3pm and 11pm.

These incidents occurred on High Street, Queensway, and Ford Court.

Eyewitnesses reporting the fires described seeing two men, fitting the descriptions of 31-year-old Towers and Joshua Sigley, reports Cheshire Live.

The fire on High Street was started using rubbish placed on the ground and a green jerrycan filled with petrol.

CCTV footage from a petrol station showed Towers arriving on a bike, filling a green jerrycan with petrol, and making payment.

Dashcam footage then captured Towers meeting with 25-year-old Sigley just minutes later.

On Queensway, a school bus was completely destroyed after being set alight, resulting in £70,000 worth of damage.

Two men matching Sigley and Towers’ description were then spotted attempting to set fire to trees near to Ford Court.

Both men were subsequently arrested at an address in Winsford on Sunday 4 August 2024 and later charged.

Sigley, from St Chads Fields in Winsford, was jailed for three-years in June after confessing to three counts of arson.

Detective Inspector Ross Hamilton stated: “Sigley and Towers’ actions were incredibly dangerous, fuelled by the national disorder last summer, and could easily have ended up injuring someone, or even worse.

“To target a school bus and cause £70,000 worth of damage is shocking.

“This should serve as a strong reminder of how serious these crimes are regarded and robust action will be taken against anyone who chooses to behave in this manner.”
Liverpool Echo

He was passed crisps, drinks and other items during the incident

A young troublemaker joined in the looting of a Greggs shop during a day of rioting in Hull city centre and he was also seen “kicking things” onto a fire and “firing” a fire extinguisher around.

Dylan Reed was part of the “horrendous” disorder that broke out that day but he was now “rightly ashamed” and “disgusted” at his antics, Hull Crown Court heard.

Reed, 24, of Melrose Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, admitted offences of violent disorder and burglary on August 3 last year. Michael Masson, prosecuting, said that Reed was seen on CCTV pictures using a bicycle to smash against the window of the Greggs store in Jameson Street at about 6.50pm during the day of rioting.

He was seen being given drink and crisps from the shop while it was being looted. “Things have been thrown out of the Greggs shop,” said Mr Masson.

“A man comes up to him and offers him further items.” Reed was seen kicking things onto a fire that had been started. He was also seen “firing” a fire extinguisher during the general disorder.

Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that Reed regretted his involvement in the trouble. “This is behaviour that he is ashamed of and disgusted at,” said Mr Hammersley.

“His remorse is mirrored in his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.” There were references for Reed, including from one of his employers. He had a variety of jobs in construction and at a tyre fitting service.

He moved from Middlesbrough to Hull about four years ago to escape negative influences after suffering problems there. “He has made great strides in his life off his own back,” said Mr Hammersley. “This is undermined by what he did that day.”

Judge John Thackray KC told Reed: “Your offending formed part of the horrendous disorder that took place in this city just over a year ago. Police officers were injured.

“Police officers were permanently scarred. There was huge financial cost, not to mention the distress caused to various communities.

“You were very much on the periphery of the offending. Nevertheless, the offence is serious.”

Reed, who was on bail, was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours’ unpaid work and 10 days’ rehabilitation. “It has been a close-run thing,” said Judge Thackray.

“If you commit any offence over the next two years, you start with 20 months and anything else on top for new offences. If you give excuses and don’t turn up on time, then you will end up serving this sentence.”

Hull Daily Mail

A man who looted a vape shop during one of last summer’s city centre riots has been jailed for two years and two months.

Paul Stoddart, 36, was one of a number of people who broke into the shop in Sunderland on 2 August 2024 and stole £42,000 worth of stock, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He also kicked a broken window during the widespread disorder, which was one of a number of anti-immigration protests around the country to turn violent after three girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport.

Stoddart, from Sunderland, admitted violent disorder and burglary.

Violence erupted in Sunderland after a protest march descended into chaos, with dozens of police officers attacked along with buildings and cars, prosecutor Omar Ahmad said.

Stoddart, whose extensive criminal history included dishonesty and violence, was seen on CCTV kicking at the broken windows of a building on Keel Square, the court heard.

He and others then broke into a nearby vape shop with Stoddart captured by cameras entering the stockroom and talking vapes from shelves, Mr Ahmad said.

‘Everything kicked off’

More than £42,000 worth of stock was stolen with the total impact of the burglary, including repair work and loss of trade, reckoned to be more than £80,000, the court heard.

Police identified Stoddart, of Ridley Terrace in Hendon, from CCTV and arrested him at his home on 31 November, the court heard.

He told officers he had “got dragged into it” when “everything kicked off” and he was ashamed of his actions.

In mitigation, the court heard he had an alcohol problem and was drunk at the time.

BBC News

A man who was caught on CCTV throwing tyres and other debris on to a fire during the height of last summer’s Hull riot has been jailed for 16 months.

Carl Dunn, 58, of Saffrondale, Anlaby, had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson at a previous hearing.

Sentencing Dunn at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge John Thackray KC said it was clear he “was not playing a leading role” in the disorder, which occurred on 3 August 2024.

However, he told Dunn that the footage of the incident was “depressing and horrifying to watch”, and he said that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Similar scenes, fuelled by misinformation, were seen across the country following the murder of three young girls at a dance class in Southport.

Michael Forrest, prosecuting, played the footage to the court and pointed out Dunn, wearing all-white clothing, throwing tyres and other material on to fires around a garage in Milky Way, near Spring Bank.

Dunn’s offending did not extend beyond that, Mr Forrest told the court.

During the wider disorder, people – including children – were left “cowering” in the garage, noted Judge Thackray.

Rachel Scott, mitigating, urged the judge not to pass an immediate prison sentence.

She said Dunn had “very significant” mental health difficulties, including psychosis, adding his life had spiralled after his partner of 18 years took her own life in 2011.

Dunn, who was “passionate about cats”, had been offered employment by a local rescue charity, said Ms Scott.

Judge Thackray noted Dunn had a number of previous convictions, including for assault in 2022.

‘Mob violence’

He said he was satisfied Dunn had not lit any fires during the disorder.

However, he said the court needed to look at the disorder “as a whole” when sentencing those involved.

“During the 12 hours of racist, mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused,” he said.

“Eleven police officers were injured, including one who was left permanently scarred.”

Dunn, who was trembling in the dock, was told he must serve up to half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

BBC News

Two brothers have been jailed for three years each after taking part in a riot outside a hotel being used to house asylum seekers.

Jason and Scott Maguire both pleaded guilty to being part of the violent disorder which erupted outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, near Rotherham, on 4 August 2024.

Sheffield Crown Court heard, Jason McGuire, 31, of Schofield Street in Doncaster, helped rip down fencing, which was used to throw at police officers, and was also part of a “mob” which attacked a police van.

Meanwhile, Scott McGuire, 34, of the same address, pushed down safety barriers and kicked items towards others for them to pick up and throw at officers.

The brothers were jailed alongside two other men, Keethan Reeve-Lawson and Daniel Kazemi, who were also present on the day.

The court has previously heard how windows were smashed and and fires lit around the hotel, as more than 200 asylum seekers and 22 staff were trapped inside.

On Monday, the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC was told Scott Maguire initially arrived on his own, but was later caught on CCTV returning to the scene with his partner and baby.

“When they, one hopes, had departed, you were at the front of the hotel involving yourself in several serious incidents,” Judge Richardson said.

“You were kicking items for throwing, you were very provocative in your conduct, and you were involved in a fierce attack on police officers close to hotel.”

The court heard Jason Maguire had been on license at the time, after being sent to prison for ten years in 2018 for stabbing someone with a machete in a group fight.

Reeve-Lawson, 22, Mount Vernon Road in Barnsley, was caught on CCTV throwing a bottle at the police line.

Kazemi, 35, of Edna Street in Bolton-Upon-Dearne, threw a full beer can at a police office at close range.

Both men were jailed for 22 months.

Richard Barradell, defending Kazemi, said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” that he had fallen into the “pack mentality”.

“This man’s father is Iranian; he has no deep-seated issues with anyone. He can’t explain his actions,” he added.

Judge Richardson said the fact all four men had pleaded guilty was the “only real purposeful piece of mitigation in each of your cases”.

“Each one of you and many like you was intent on spreading a hateful message of violence and racism,” he said.

“The disorder was racist and extremely frightening for anyone who was there.”

He told the men how those inside the hotel had thought they would die when a fire was started against the hotel and they “could not leave for fear of what would happen to them”.

Each of the defendants was also handed a 10-year criminal behaviour order.

BBC News

More than 100 people have now been sentenced following the disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express, near Rotherham, in August 2024.

Two brothers have each been jailed for three years for their part in rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Scott and Jason McGuire were at the forefront of the disorder which engulfed the Holiday Inn Express near Rotherham, on August 4 2024, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Monday.

The brothers were jailed along with two others men – Keethan Reeve-Lawson and Daniel Kazemi – and this is understood to have brought the total number of people sentenced for the Rotherham violence to 104.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC outlined how the McGuire brothers were at the forefront of the “mob” during the most serious part of the disorder on that Sunday afternoon.

The judge has heard over dozens of hearings how the hotel was besieged for around 12 hours.

Police officers and the hotel itself were pelted with missiles as more than 200 asylum seekers and 22 staff were trapped inside.

At one point, the rioters smashed their way into the building and a burning wheelie-bin was pushed against a fire door.

A total of 64 officers were injured in the violence along with police horses and a dog.

Judge Richardson said it was his “misfortune” to have sentenced most of those arrested after the disorder and said he was very familiar with video footage of the violence shown in court.

He said: “Each time I see this exceptionally serious disturbance represented in the footage of these events I feel, as I’m sure many others feel, profound shame that such shocking disorder should occur in this country.”

The judge said: “The venom of racism and racially motivated violence suffuses the events from first to last.”

Judge Richardson told the defendants: “Several hundred people were intent on mob rule. That will never be tolerated in this country.”

And he added: “All of those police officers are deserving of the highest praise for the way in which they resisted provocation and handled an immensely challenging situation with bravery, professionalism and skill.”

Judge Richardson described how Scott McGuire was captured arriving at the scene with what appeared to be his partner and a child in a pushchair.

He was later pictured in the mob at various times during the disorder and is seen dismantling safety barriers in front of the riot police as well as kicking items which were then thrown at the officers by others.

The judge said: “You were involved in fierce attacks on police officers close to the hotel.

“You were well to the fore and your participation was of a high order.”

Judge Richardson said Jason McGuire was filmed throwing missiles at officers and a police van as well as at the hotel building, while wearing a mask.

He was also filmed tearing down fencing which was used by others to throw at the police lines and fuel the fire which was set outside the building.

The judge said: “Your involvement was well to the fore in the most serious aspects of the episodes that afternoon.”

The court heard how Jason McGuire was jailed for four years in 2015 for a drugs offence and for 10 years in 2018 for a machete attack.

Judge Richardson jailed Reeve-Lawson and Kazemi for 22 months each after hearing how they were involved in later incidents once police had managed to push the mob away from immediately outside the hotel.

Kazemi was filmed throwing a can of beer at officers, which smashed against their shields, and the judge noted that he was “visibly happy” when another man threw a metal bar at police.

Richard Barradell, defending Kazemi, said “like many others” his client joined in “once the pack mentality started”.

He said: “He cannot for the life of him explain why.”

Mr Barradell said his client was “bitterly embarrassed” and wanted to apologise to everyone involved.

Scott McGuire, 35, and Jason McGuire, 31, both of Schofield Street, Mexborough; Reeve-Lawson, 22, of Mount Vernon Road, Worsbrough Common, Barnsley, and Kazemi, 35, of Edna Street, Bolton-upon-Dearne, all admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing.

Evening Standard

A 19-year-old who was arrested during protests in Nottingham city centre has been sentenced.

Owen Lawrence, of no fixed address, was charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act following demonstrations on 3 August last year.

On Friday, he was handed a 12-month community order at Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to the charge in April.

Lawrence received a mental health requirement as well as rehabilitation as part of his sentence.

He was among a number of people to be charged in the wake of the disorder that broke out across the country following the killings of three young girls at a dance class in Southport.

Earlier this year, killer Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years for the “sadistic” murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.

‘Let people help you’

Lawrence had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation and theft.

His hearing had been adjourned so he could be assessed, the court heard.

Judge Stuart Rafferty KC said Lawrence believed he was “worthless” and thought everything was his fault, adding: “You get frustrated and you get into trouble”.

He told him “you have to love yourself” and “let people help you” as he handed out his sentence.

BBC News

A man has appeared in court to admit his part in riots which gripped Sunderland city centre a year ago.

Callum Armstrong, 24, was part of a peaceful demonstration march which he blighted by throwing a beer can at a building’s first floor window.

At least two other people then followed his example and tossed cans at the same property, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

Prosecutor Marcus Blakelock said: “Mr Armstrong’s actions form part of the Sunderland riots.

“It’s a starting point of two years’ custody. I would suggest that it’s far beyond the sentencing powers of this court.”

Armstrong, of Frederick Street, Seaham, pleaded guilty to committing an act of violent disorder on Friday, August 2 last year.

Rioting in Sunderland followed a pattern of nationwide disorder after the murders of three children in Southport.

So far, around 1,876 people have been arrested and 1,110 charged in relation to the trouble.

Paul McAlindon, defending, told District Judge Zoe Passfield: “It’s not part of the more serious disorder in Keel Square.

“The allegation is that he’s thrown a beer can towards a first-floor window.

“When he does that, two or three people do that. The item didn’t go through the window.”

Judge Passfield declined jurisdiction and granted Armstrong unconditional bail to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, September 5.
She told him: “You will be given credit for that guilty plea, but your case is too serious to be sentenced at this court.”

Sunderland Echo

James Swann was seen on CCTV during the scenes of disorder which took place in Hull city centre

An ex-doorman joined in with violent scenes of mass disorder in Hull city centre after going there for a shopping trip and later seeing that serious disturbances had broken out.

James Swann was later seen on CCTV footage pushing a large wheelie bin towards police outside a hotel where asylum seekers were being housed at the time, Hull Crown Court heard.

Swann, 33, of Arthur Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3.

Amber Hobson, prosecuting, said that a large-scale demonstration took place in Hull city centre, similar to protests that had been organised nationally after the deaths of three girls in Southport.

Police went to fights in King Edward Street and they were called to disorder outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were living at the time. The disorder spilled out to the cenotaph area opposite the hotel.

There was also disorder at a tyre business in the Milky Way area and fires were set as well as cars being damaged. Swann was seen at various places during the trouble.

“At the onset of aggression towards police on Ferensway, Swann was part of a large group in the road who were squaring up to and attacking the police officers,” said Miss Hobson.

“When the group pushed towards officers, Swann rushed over to join in and was at the front of the group. He pushed a large industrial-sized wheelie bin towards a line of police officers on Jameson Street.

He suffered problems before lockdown and turned to drink. Swann had originally gone into the city centre to go shopping but he saw that disturbances had broken out. He went to a pub but later got involved in the trouble.

Since then, he had tackled his drinking and he claimed that he had not drunk alcohol since October.

Swann, who was on bail, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 200 hours’ unpaid work and 10 days’ rehabilitation.

Hull Daily Mail

The judge said it was ‘depressing and horrifying to watch’

A troublemaker who angrily hurled a road sign and eggs at police during violent scenes of rioting in Hull city centre was later found with large amounts of cannabis for drug dealing on the streets.

Bradley Monahan had already been given a “golden opportunity” to avoid prison but he threw it away after getting involved in “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that was “horrifying” to watch, Hull Crown Court heard.

Monahan, 24, of Lockton Grove, off Calvert Road, west Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3. He also admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply on October 29 and breaching a 10-month suspended prison sentence imposed in April last year for making threats with an offensive weapon.

Oliver Shipley, prosecuting, said that Monahan was part of a group of rioters in Ferensway, Hull, on a day of violence in the city centre. A police cordon was outside the Royal Hotel, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time.

Monahan was wearing a two-tone balaclava in an attempt to hide his identity. He was seen to throw what were believed to be eggs at the police as well as a road traffic sign. At times, he was solely responsible for “sourcing and throwing items at officers”. He was not part of a wider group of rioters but he was part of a “little breakaway of his own”.

Monahan was identified from a previous police custody picture and he was arrested on October 30. His home was searched and his sister escorted police to a bedroom to obtain personal belongings.

A small quantity of a green herbal substance was found on a bedside table. Police found significantly larger amounts of cannabis as well as scales, bags and cash, indicating involvement in drugs supply.

Monahan told police: “Yeah. That’s fine. Them drugs are mine. Can I admit that on bodycam?” The cannabis, in various amounts, had an estimated street value of £4,815. During police interview, he made no comment to all questions. Monahan had convictions for 13 previous offences, including assaulting emergency workers in 2021.

Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Monahan’s behaviour during the violent disorder was “disgraceful”. There were three positive and “glowing” references for him, all showing him to be a “much better man” than the one shown in the rioting pictures. One reference, from a potential employer, described him as a “level-headed young man” – which showed how different he could be. He had a three-year-old daughter.

“Since his arrest for these offences, he has taken a turn (for the better),” said Miss Scott. It had brought home to him how his behaviour had affected his mother and sister. “He really has pulled up his socks since then,” said Miss Scott.

“He was doing well on the order he has got. He has been making significant progress. He has reduced his cannabis intake.” Monahan had completed 136 of the 200 hours’ unpaid work that he had previously been given as part of the original suspended sentence. “He knows that he was put on trust by this court and he has broken that trust on two separate occasions,” said Miss Scott.

Judge John Thackray KC told Monahan: “You were given a golden opportunity by the court in April last year when you were given a suspended sentence. Only a few months later, you were involved in violent disorder on August 3 in the centre of Hull.

“Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence. During those 12 hours of mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused. You played your part on Ferensway.

“It’s depressing and horrifying to watch. It shows utterly deplorable public disorder. You were there in full disguise in a balaclava.

“You were throwing objects, most likely eggs, and at one point, you were seen to pick up a road traffic sign and throw that towards the police. You were playing a significant role.

“This was hostility motivated by race. The offence is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.”

Monahan, who had been on bail, was jailed for two years and three months.

Hull Daily Mail