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

Luke Sproxton – who says he didn’t understand what it was all about – has been disowned by his family

The latest Hull rioter to be jailed – after throwing objects towards the police and repeatedly acting in an “aggressive” way – has claimed that he did not realise what was going on and he assumed that it must be “something to do with football”.

Luke Sproxton claimed that, when he arrived on the scenes of trouble, he “did not understand what this was all about” and that he “mindlessly got swept up in it”.

His family had “disowned him” and they were “disgusted” at his antics, Hull Crown Court heard. Sproxton, 51, of Plane Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, admitted an offence of violent disorder on August 3 last year.

Ben Hammersley, prosecuting, said that Sproxton was among the people who gathered outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time. He was seen near the police cordon and CCTV pictures showed that he was there and later on Jameson Street between 1.42 and 3.16pm.

Sproxton was part of the crowd who approached the police cordon and he was shouting and gesticulating towards officers. In another incident, he pushed against a police riot shield and, in another, he was among those who picked up a large metal fence and threw it towards the police cordon.

In a later incident in Jameson Street, he kicked out and hit an officer’s riot shield. Sproxton was an “active and persistent participant” in the trouble and he incited others by gesticulating, said Mr Hammersley.

Sproxton was identified after a search of the national police database. He was arrested on October 9.

During police interview, he claimed that he had no idea what the protests were about and denied throwing anything. He claimed that he had taken no part in the violence and was simply watching what was happening.

He had convictions for 33 previous offences, including two of public disorder, between July 1992 and June 2022. Julia Baggs, mitigating, said that there were significant gaps in Sproxton’s previous offending and he pleaded guilty to the violent disorder offence.

“He is deeply remorseful,” said Miss Baggs. “He takes full responsibility for his actions and his role in this wider behaviour.”

Sproxton got caught up in the violence after getting off a bus and assuming that the trouble must be something to do with football. “He didn’t understand what this was all about and he got mindlessly swept up in it,” said Miss Baggs.

He had later been “completely disowned” by his family because of it. “They have been deeply disappointed and disgusted in him,” said Miss Baggs. Sproxton had an alcohol problem and he could not work because of physical health and mobility problems.

Judge John Thackray KC told Sproxton: “Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence. During those 12 hours of mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused. Huge financial cost has been incurred.”

The trouble was “utterly deplorable public disorder involving huge numbers of people” as well as repeat racist chanting and a determined attack upon the police. Sproxton threw objects towards the police and was aggressive.

“You played a leading role,” said Judge Thackray. “It may be that you can be rehabilitated in the community. Ultimately, only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”

Sproxton, who had been on bail, was jailed for 18 months.

Hull Daily Mail

Her barrister told the court: ‘She is a polite woman with, surprisingly, quite a lot going for her’

A drug-addicted woman who got involved in the notorious scenes of rioting in Hull city centre hurled missiles at police outside a hotel where asylum seekers were living at the time.

Mother-of-one and qualified beauty therapist Kirsty Bennett was later one of the first looters to raid the O2 phone shop and she grabbed a haul of mobile phone cases in the hope of selling them to fund her crack cocaine addiction, Hull Crown Court heard.

Bennett, 29, of Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and burglary of the O2 store on August 3 last year. Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that Bennett was among a crowd of people who gathered after 2.30pm outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time.

She was seen throwing two missiles, one of which seemed to be a toilet roll. She passed a drink bottle to a man near her and this was likely to have been thrown at police. She was seen on CCTV pictures at 5.15pm and she was also among the first people to go inside the O2 store in Jameson Street at about 6.30pm.

She stole mobile phone cases. The assistant manager later said: “People were entering our store and leaving with armfuls of accessories and phones.”

Damage estimated at more than £30,000 was caused and items valued at nearly £7,000 were stolen. “The whole shop was a complete mess,” said the assistant manager.

“There was a general feeling of upset and anger at what had happened.” The cost of the police operation had been put at about £270,000 – with more costs expected.

Billy Torbett, mitigating, said that Bennett pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and she had no previous convictions. She went to the protests with her then boyfriend.

“She did express genuine remorse,” said Mr Torbett. “Quite simply, she is shocked at how she behaved and rightly so.

“She describes having massive regrets for her behaviour. She is a polite woman with, surprisingly, quite a lot going for her.”

Bennett had a troubled start in life but she had a full education and employment history. She had a daughter.

“She does consider herself as somewhat of a grafter,” said Mr Torbett. She had worked in numerous jobs in hospitality and had qualifications in hairdressing, beauty therapy, nails, ear piercing and makeup.

“She is a woman that has got a lot going for her,” said Mr Torbett. “She is currently out of work. She is a woman who has been consumed by a crack cocaine addiction and poor relationship choices, which she readily admits.

“She has remained out of trouble. She no longer consumes drugs. She has been clean for two months. She has been assessed as a low risk of reconviction.”

Judge Mark Bury told Bennett: “You went into Hull to attend what was anticipated to be a peaceful demonstration. That demonstration got out of hand. A large number of police officers had to be deployed to maintain order.

“That wasn’t possible because a large number of people became violent and aggressive towards the police, which involved a large number of activities – one of which you were participating in was throwing things at police officers. Behaviour like this encourages others – and it did so.”

Bennett was later one of the first ones to enter the O2 store and she was seen helping herself to mobile phone cases. “You were hoping to sell those for drugs, which you were addicted to at the time,” said Judge Bury.

“This behaviour is totally unacceptable. The events of August 3 of last year represent a stain on this city. No justification can there be for behaviour like this. Whatever one’s views of peaceful protest, this was not it.

“Attacking police who are simply there to maintain order is totally unacceptable. I can’t overlook this offending. There has to be an immediate sentence of custody.”

Bennett, who had been on bail, was jailed for 16 months.

Hull Daily Mail

A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life over a wheelie bin that was set alight during the Rotherham riots.

Tens of thousands of pounds of damage was done to the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers Way, and more than 50 officers were injured when an anti-immigration protest on August 4, 2024, escalated into a riot attended by over 450 people.

The Manvers disorder took place after misinformation was spread in the wake of a fatal stabbing in Southport that claimed the lives of three young girls.

Among the most startling photos in the afternoon of violence was the sight of a fire being set in the entrance to the hotel before several wheelie bins were piled in the way.

Now, a 14-year-old boy from Rotherham has pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life, as well as violent disorder, in relation to burning a wheelie bin.

The youth – who cannot be named due to his age – was 14 at the time of the riots.

He pleaded guilty to both offences at a hearing at Sheffield Magistrate’s Court on January 15, 2025.

The boy was released on unconditional bail ahead of sentencing at an unspecified later date.

At the riots in August, missiles, including concrete blocks, glass bottles and planks of woods, were hurled at officers as they tried to keep people safe during the serious disorder.

Fire exits were barricaded shut with wheelie bins and filled them with wood and other items, which were then set alight. Protesters attacked a wooden fence and threw the posts at officers.

More than 100 people have been charged over the scenes in Manvers Way, and sentences handed down so far add up to hundreds of years of jail time.

Sheffield Star

A “disgusting” paedophile who was jailed for his part in the disorder at Rotherham has been handed a new jail sentence for sexually abusing a young girl.

Phillip Wood even gave the 12-year-old a sexually transmitted disease and left her covered in love bites, having filmed his sordid behaviour.

The 23-year-old was jailed in June for his part in the disorder at the Holiday Inn Express in August last year.

Hundreds of far-right protestors gathered, with some trying to force their way into the hotel where asylum seekers were being housed.

Wood was topless, wearing a face covering and throwing missiles at the police. He was given a two-year sentence, as was his pregnant ex-partner.

But at the time of the violence, Wood was awaiting court proceedings for grooming and abusing a youngster.

He had her invited her to stay at his flat days after a chance meeting in Leeds in 2023.

Judge Christopher Batty told the pervert that he had “stolen her childhood” and gave him an additional sentence at Leeds Crown Court this week.

He appeared in court via video link from HMP Leeds having admitted two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13.

Prosecutor Brian Russell said Wood had met the girl and her friend after he broke up an altercation between youngsters in July 2023.

They began talking over Snapchat and in the period of around five days, he called her 66 times.

He later invited her and her friend to stay at his flat on Victoria Grove in the Lupset area of Wakefield.

They caught a bus and stayed at his home overnight. Both youngsters were reported as missing.

The young victim then rang her mother and told her she was coming home. She denied any sexual activity had taken place but she had visible love bites.

The girl later admitted she had slept in Wood’s bed.

He was arrested and footage of the abuse was found on his phone. During an examination of the girl, Wood’s saliva was found on her.

In his police interview he gave a prepared statement denying any wrongdoing then refused to answer questions.

He eventually admitted the sexual assaults, but at a late stage, the court heard.

Mitigating, Marc Luxford said Wood had an IQ of just 51, meaning he has “significant” learning difficulties.

As a result, he said that Wood felt more comfortable with younger people.

He said: “It’s disgusting behaviour and he is ashamed and is sorry. He expresses his remorse through me.”

He said that Wood is to be moved from HMP Leeds to a prison that can accommodate his learning difficulties.

Judge Batty told Wood: “It was not entirely clear what happened that night, but we do know that you kissed her sexually and you filmed it.

“In doing what you did, you took her childhood from her.”

He said that despite Wood’s low IQ, he “knew what he was doing”.

He gave him a 27-month jail sentence to run consecutively to his violent disorder conviction.

He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and put on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Sheffield Star

He previously told a court getting involved in the Hull city centre rioting last year was ‘the stupidest thing I ever did’

A looter who got a very welcome birthday present when he narrowly avoided being jailed after serious rioting in Hull city centre has again managed to stay out of prison – despite breaching his suspended sentence.

Father-of-two Josh Hill became one of the few people arrested after the mass disorder to be spared prison – but now, after his birthday stroke of good luck back in March, he has again defied the odds to be given what could be his last chance to stay out of custody.

During the rioting, he took advantage of the violent scenes of trouble to go into the Lush store, grab a bag and help himself to as much as he could carry, Hull Crown Court heard. Hill, 27, of Hull, admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence imposed for an offence of burglary at the Lush store on August 3 last year.

At a hearing on March 17 – Hill’s birthday – he was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence and 200 hours’ unpaid work. But he was brought back to court for breaching the order on June 16 and 23 by failing to attend for sessions of his unpaid work.

The court heard that he had completed some of the hours but he still had 137 hours remaining. He faced having the suspended sentence activated but, in the end, he was given another chance to comply – with 10 extra hours added.

Judge John Thackray KC warned him: “I am unlikely to give you another chance next time. Get the hours done.”

At the March hearing, the court heard 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.

Hill was among those who “took advantage” of the disturbances that were going on in the city and he went into the Lush store. He was seen picking up a paper bag and “filling it with as much as he could” before leaving.

The total bill to Lush during the disorder, including extensive damage, loss of stock, the interruption to business and increased insurance, had been put at more than £31,000, the court heard.

Ben Hammersley, mitigating, told the earlier hearing that Hill pleaded guilty at an early stage. He had only a few previous convictions and none for dishonesty offences. He acted out of character.

“He has no excuse for what he did,” said Mr Hammersley. “He went in to see what was going on and he says that he got carried away. He wishes to apologise to those affected and he wishes that he could turn the clock back.”

Hill had said: “It was the stupidest thing I ever did.” Alcohol was a factor at the time in disinhibiting him and causing him to show “moronic behaviour” at a time when his life was “a bit of a shambles” anyway.

Hull Daily Mail