Men guilty of riot arson ‘should be ashamed’

By
February 21, 2025
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Two men who admitted arson with intent to endanger life at a Rotherham hotel housing 200 asylum seekers have appeared in court.

Mason Lowe, 28, and Morgan Heeley, 26, who also admitted violent disorder at the Holiday Inn Express at Manvers on 4 August, should be “ashamed”, Judge Jeremy Richardson said at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

Heeley, of Margaret Road, Barnsley, threw a fire extinguisher at police, hit an officer over the head with a plank and tried to light curtains on fire.

Lowe, of Lowfield Road, Barnsley, held up chipboard against the fire door of the hotel to stop people inside from putting out a nearby bin fire, kicked out at officers and attempted to grab a riot shield.

Lowe’s partner, who was heavily pregnant at the time of the incident and now has a baby and a young child, was “going to be a victim as well as everybody else” as a result of his actions during the disorder, Judge Richardson said.

Heeley, who also has two children, was captured on video pushing over a female police officer, opening the door of a moving police van and throwing items including wood and a rock at officers.

He also kicked and broke the fire door, which later had the alight bin placed next to it.

Footage played in the courtroom showed him placing an item in the bin, which the judge said appeared to be “smouldering or alight”.

‘Dreadful example’

Ms Rebecca Tanner, defending Lowe, said he had one previous conviction for driving offences and was involved in blocking the fire exit for only about 10 seconds.

Heeley, who had previous convictions including wounding and affray, “struggled academically” and may have been “looking for kudos” at the riots, said Mr Ian West, defending.

He added that lack of maturity was a factor with the 26-year-old, whose youngest child is aged two.

“He has sabotaged not only his own life, but he has materially affected the life of that child,” Judge Richardson said.

He added both men had set a “dreadful example” to their children and he hoped they were both “ashamed”.

Lowe and Heeley will both be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

BBC News

Teenager plotted mass shooting at Edinburgh school

By
February 21, 2025
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A teenager obsessed by murder has admitted wanting to carry out a mass shooting at his own school in Edinburgh.

A court heard how the boy “idolised” the killers behind the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado in the United States in 1999, which saw 12 students and a teacher murdered.

He repeatedly spoke about doing the same at his own secondary school – describing the “Doomsday” when he would “clear it out”.

But, a large-scale police probe was sparked in the summer of 2023 after a social media photo of him at school in full combat gear and carrying an imitation gun caused panic among pupils and parents.

The boy, who also held racist and pro-Nazi views, had already been referred to a UK-wide programme designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The now 17-year-old appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

He pleaded guilty via his defence KC Shelagh McCall to a breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act.

Military tactical vest

The crimes spanned between June 2022 and July 2023.

The teenager, who cannot be identified due to his age, had his bail revoked by judge Lord Arthurson pending sentencing next month.

Ms McCall KC told the court: “This is a vulnerable young person. He has mental health difficulties.

“He is a transgender person – that would need to be taken into account.”

Prosecutor Greg Farrell told how, on 20 June 2023, the boy had turned up at school wearing cargo trousers and carrying a military tactical vest and helmet.

Mr Farrell: “He was later seen at the school carrying an imitation firearm while wearing the vest and helmet.

“A photograph was circulated on social media. It was taken and published without his knowledge.

“The image provoked a considerable degree of fear and alarm among pupils and parents.

“Police were advised by a parent who saw the image.”

Officers went on to discover that the boy had a TikTok account which had footage of him in black combat clothes as well as a skeleton mask.

Mr Farrell: “One piece of commentary referenced school shootings.”

The teenager was immediately suspended.

Police, however, went on to take statements from other pupils who knew the boy.

Mr Farrell: “They provided information that the boy had exhibited a variety of alarming behaviours over a period of time.

“The greatest concern was the suggestion he had divulged to various people a desire to carry out a school shooting similar to that which had taken place in 1999 at Columbine High School in Colorado in the USA.”

Classmates recalled how the boy “spoke excitedly and with considerable enthusiasm” when he talked about Columbine and other school shootings.

He “sympathised” with the pair behind it – Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris – and would copy how they had dressed.

One girl said he “idolised school shooters in America”.

Mr Farrell said: “In November 2022, he told her how he would go about carrying out a school attack.

“He explained that he would start on the second floor and that he would ‘clear it out’ using guns.

“He would then move downstairs continuing to shoot until police arrived, at which point he would turn the gun on himself.”

‘Fed-up being bullied’

The boy described a possible mass shooting at his school as “Doomsday”.

He was said to be so “interested” in Columbine that he stated he wanted to change his name “in an act of homage” to Klebold.

Mr Farrell said: “One pupil told police that the boy wore the same black trousers, trench coat, cap worn backwards and circular glasses as favoured by one of the Columbine pair.

“He often made comments that he ‘looked like a school shooter’.”

The boy told another classmate that he would “place a bomb in every second classroom”.

He would then shoot people as they fled the building.

The boy told one girl he met online that he wanted to carry out a shooting as he was being bullied and was “fed-up” being there.

The teenager was stopped by police under the Terrorism Act as he returned from holiday with his family on 9 July 2023.

A number of his electronic devices were seized. There were various files on a mobile phone with some about “homemade” firearms and poisons.

The court heard he had 65 videos of Columbine and had added music which appeared to “glamourise” the mass killing.

He had recorded another clip of him at his own school which seemed to “mimic the actions” of the American shooters.

Police also seized a journal in which the boy had made various sinister remarks.

The hearing was told the teenager had twice previously been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme while at school due to concerns but that he had “engaged” with the police.

The court heard a more recent concern was flagged up by the college the boy now attends of him allegedly remarking that he was “annoyed at getting caught”.

Judge Lord Arthurson ruled not to continue bail while sentence was deferred for reports.

The boy is expected to be sent to a secure unit for young people or what was described as a “place of safety”.

BBC News

Man who hurled bricks at police during Southport riots jailed

By
February 21, 2025
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Scott Brooks travelled from Wigan to take part in the violent disorder last summer

A man who was caught on CCTV throwing a brick at a female police officer during the violent disorder last summer has been jailed.

Violence originally broke out in Southport on July 30 when hundreds of people clashed with police following the deaths of three young girls – Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Da Silva Aguiar – in a mass stabbing the previous day.

So far, 176 people have been arrested, with 135 charged and 112 sentenced to a combined 216 years and eight months in prison. Scott Brooks, 38, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty at a previous hearing for violent disorder in Southport July 30.

Brooks, of Francis Street in Wigan, was captured on CCTV at the forefront and encouraging others to take part in the disorder on Sussex Road. He was seen throwing a large number of objects at police officers, of which one brick hit a female constable on the helmet which caused her to fall to the ground and injure her leg.

Brooks was later arrested and then charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. Today, Friday February 21, Brooks was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, February 19 a 30-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in Southport. He has been bailed pending further enquiries. On Tuesday, February 18 a 12-year-old male from Wirral was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in Liverpool city centre that took place on Saturday, August 3. He has been released under investigation.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Sloan said: “Today’s sentencing shows that we are relentless in bringing those who helped cause such violence and disruption to our communities to justice.

“We are committed to ensure those responsible are held to account, including those who travelled to Merseyside to take part in the disorder. We are continuing to identify more people who displayed such abhorrent behaviour which damaged our communities, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.

“We advise anyone else who took part in the disorder to do the right thing and hand themselves in.” Police encourage anyone with information to contact them by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Current galleries of people police would like to speak to can be found on their X and Facebook pages, and on the force website.

Liverpool Echo

Man jailed for sending ‘utterly deplorable’ email to Jess Phillips

By
February 18, 2025
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Jack Bennett also sent racist and offensive emails to London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Matt Twist, the assistant commissioner at the Met Police.

A 38-year-old man has been jailed for sending an “utterly deplorable” email to safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

Jack Bennett, from Seaton, Devon, today pleaded guilty to sending malicious communications to three people – including the Birmingham Yardley MP – at Exeter Magistrates’ Court.

Bennett sent the email to Ms Phillips on 2 January – one day after Elon Musk called the MP a “rape genocide apologist” and said she “deserves to be in prison” for denying requests for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.

He also sent racist and offensive emails to London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in February 2024, and to Matt Twist, the assistant commissioner at the Met Police, in April 2024.

Bennett has been sentenced to 28 weeks in prison.

District Judge Stuart Smith said the email to Ms Phillips had caused the MP “great distress”.

“[She] was concerned for your potential to escalate or to encourage others for violence against her, having in her mind the murder of her colleague Jo Cox,” he said.

Bennett’s messages began after he was “caught up” in online right-wing propaganda during the Covid-19 pandemic, the court heard.

Appearing for the defence, Caroline Salvatore said Bennett had no previous convictions, presented as being neurodivergent and was “largely socially isolated”.

“He was encouraged to become incensed at various issues and he found their phrases became part of his vocabulary,” she said.

Ms Salvatore said Bennett did not act until after his father died in 2023, which was a “triggering event”.

He was “genuinely motivated by the perceived incompetence of the people he sent emails” but he accepted he was trying to be offensive and does “realise how he was wrong,” she added.

The judge said the 38-year-old’s email to Sir Sadiq “purposely sought to disparage, insult and offend him based on his ethnicity and Asian heritage”.

“The contents of your communications to all three was utterly deplorable, foul and abusive,” Judge Smith said. “Saturated in hate and intolerance and shamelessly racist and offensive.

“Your angry, poisonous and hateful rhetoric discloses the real disdain you held for ethnic minorities, targeting especially Muslims and immigrants in your abusive tirades.”
Sky News

Criminal with long record took part in ‘looting of the worst kind’ during Hull riot

By
February 18, 2025
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He joined in the ‘mindless’ raiding of shops in Hull city centre last August

A drug addict with a long history of crime got involved in “looting of the worst kind” on the day that serious violent disorder broke out in Hull city centre last August.

Serial offender Mark Stevenson had been taking drugs since the age of 18 and he had slid “further and further” into addiction over the years. He joined in the “mindlessness” of the widespread “brazen” and “empty-headed” looting, Hull Crown Court heard.

Stevenson, 53, from Hull, admitted burglary at the Lush and O2 stores on August 3. He also also admitted burglary at the Deichmann shoe shop on July 27.

The court heard that Stevenson was among the many people who were shown on CCTV pictures going into the raided shops during the day of violence and helping themselves to items. He was seen kicking backwards in a “donkey kick” to smash glass at Lush.

The total figure for repairs, lost stock, loss of business and insurance costs at Lush had been put at £31,862. It was a similar figure at O2, the court heard.

On July 27, he and another man had raided the Deichman shoes shop in Whitefriargate, Hull, but he was detained by members of the public, who had seen them break in, until the police arrived.

Stevenson had convictions for 85 previous offences, 47 of them for theft-related offences as well as burglary and handling stolen goods.

Rachel Scott, mitigating, said: “He accepts that his behaviour during all these incidents was totally disgraceful. He is totally disgusted with himself.”

Father-of-two Stevenson turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with his difficulties and he had recently been homeless. He had slid “further and further” into addiction.

“He started taking drugs at 18, blinked and here he is at 53,” said Miss Scott. “It has been a very sad existence that he has led. He is working incredibly hard while in custody.

“He is really trying to turn over a new leaf. He recognises that he is serving a life sentence in instalments. He is going to have to show that he can stay away from substances.

“He really wants to do better than he has done in the past. He is on methadone. He hopes to be free of methadone completely by the time he is released.”

Judge Mark Bury told Stevenson: “You have been addicted to drugs for many years. It has ruined your life. You have committed all sorts of different offences to fund your habit.

“Your life has revolved around getting money to fund a drug habit and, if that involves brazen burglaries such as these, so be it.”

The burglaries at Lush and O2 took place on a day when serious violent disorder was going on in the city centre. “This is looting of the worst kind, taking advantage of what’s going on around you to break into and then steal from shops,” said Judge Bury.

“The loss to the shops concerned overall is very significant when you take into account the damage done to the shop, the property that was actually stolen and the cost of insuring the property in the future.”

There was the “mindlessness” of the burglaries. “It’s just mind boggling how empty-headed that behaviour was,” said Judge Bury.

Stevenson, who had been in custody for about seven months, was jailed for two years.

Hull Daily Mail

Jobless Tommy Robinson fan hurled missile at mosque as anarchy rained down on Hanley

By
February 17, 2025
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Matthew Hodgekinson made offensive chants during the city centre riot

Jobless Matthew Hodgekinson was caught on CCTV throwing missiles at a mosque as Hanley descended into anarchy. The 33-year-old has been jailed for more than two years for his part in the city centre riot.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he shouted abuse at counter-protestors in Town Road on August 3, telling them to “pack your bags and f*** off home”. And Hodgekinson – who has a skull and cross bones tattoo on his face – was also heard chanting in support of Tommy Robinson.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said: “On CCTV footage the defendant is seen by the mosque in Town Road picking up an item. It’s not sure whether that item was thrown, but he then picks up two more items and throws them towards the mosque.

“The defendant goes to the counter protest shouting ‘F***ing cowards’, ‘Pack your bags and f*** off home’. He walks quickly towards a police officer and is pushed back.

“He was arrested on September 4. During interviewing, the defendant admitted throwing the two items and admitted to throwing more. He also said he was shouting ‘Stop the boats’ and chanting Tommy Robinson’s name.”

Hodgekinson, of High Street, Halmerend, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, told the court how his family know a different side to Hodgekinson’s character, and said although he’s unemployed he helps people in the community with gardening.

He added: “Mr Hodgekinson didn’t know there was a mosque there, and he said he threw the items towards the counter-protest because they were attacking him.”

Jailing him for 27 months, Judge Graeme Smith said: “On July 29 last year a horrific attack took place at a dance studio in Southport. Tragically three young girls were stabbed to death and others were injured. A young man was sentenced recently for 52 years.

“Regrettably, false information circulated online in particular about this man’s immigration status and ethnicity. A number of protests took place in the days following the incident, one of which took place on August 3 in Hanley,.

“[People] are allowed to protest through public demonstration, but that does not include violence. Town Road in the centre of Hanley is close to a cinema, restaurants and shops, and members of the public were out shopping, eating and enjoying their leisure time which was impacted by the disorder which lasted for several hours.

“Police officers were deployed to prevent violent disorder. Although some people conducted protests peacefully, many did not. Missiles were thrown – including you – weapons were brandished, and police officers and members of the public were injured. There were widespread acts of violence which resulted in serious fear, distress and disorder, as well as costs to the community.

“You were first seen outside Hanley Town Hall shouting and chanting – that did not amount to violent disorder, you were entitled to hold those views and shout those things, however when you reached Town Road the disorder spread. You are seen on CCTV throwing missiles – a very dangerous act. A number of people were hit, not necessarily by you. I have no idea if your missiles hit or not, but members of the public and police officers were injured.

“There was hostility towards religious groups, mainly Muslims, and you say you didn’t know the mosque was there and you didn’t shout anything about Muslims, your problems seem to be with immigration.”

Stoke Sentinel

Jailed Hanley rioter’s grovelling apology: ‘I never thought I’d end up in prison’

By
February 17, 2025
Uncategorized

Aaron Dring is now said to have ‘turned his life around’ whilst in prison

Protester Aaron Dring sat in the middle of the road as he threatened police and shouted abuse during the Hanley riot. The 26-year-old parked himself in the middle of the road and refused to budge as trouble erupted in the wake of the Southport murders.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Yodel worker Dring called police officers ‘nonces’ and challenged one officer to a fight on August 3 last year. He was also heard to shout ‘We want our country back’ and told one officer he would ‘f*** him up’ after being struck by a baton.

The defendant wrote a grovelling apology for his actions on the day which was read out in court before he was jailed for two years.

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, told the court Dring had played an active role on the day. She said: “The defendant was one of the protesters who were sat in the middle of the road stopping police vehicles from entering whilst shouting ‘We want our country back’.

“At Town Road where the main disorder took place, the defendant called police officers who were performing their duties ‘nonces’, and he shouted verbal abuse at them. He pushed at a police shield, and at one point the defendant was in front of a sergeant and missiles were being thrown – but not by him.

“When the officer asked the defendant to move back he refused. This ended up in punches and the officer hit another individual with his baton before striking the defendant. He told the officer he would ‘F*** him up’ if he came after him. The defendant made a jabbing motion, and said ‘Take your kit off and come around the corner for a fight’.”

Dring, of Westbourne Drive, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe, mitigating, said: “Mr Dring has written a letter stating ‘I never thought I would end up in jail, but my actions have led me here. My behaviour and how I acted is unacceptable. I would like to apologise to the police and to my family for how I behaved.

“‘I understand the officers were just doing their job and my actions prevented them from doing so. While I’ve been in jail, Priest Roger has made me think about life in a new way and how every action has a reaction, and mine is jail. He has also been teaching me that I should treat people how I want to be treated’.”

Ms Devans-Tamakloe added: “This offence was clearly a stupid offence to have committed – a serious one – and it could have ended up worse for members of the public than it did. Mr Dring has held his hands up for his actions and he hasn’t tried to make excuses or shy away.

“He was elected an equalities representative in prison and he has maintained an enhanced status. He is demonstrating progress and discipline. He was a parcel sorter at Yodel before he went to prison and he lived with his parents. He has shown remorse, and there is a realistic prospect for rehab within the community.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “Police officers were deployed to prevent violent disorder. Although some people conducted protests peacefully, many did not. Missiles were thrown, weapons were brandished, and police officers and members of the public were injured. There were widespread acts of violence which resulted in serious fear, distress and disorder, as well as costs to the community.

“You did not at any stage seek to leave, you were part of a group of people who sat down and stopped police vehicles from getting past – that wasn’t violent disorder. You were shouting things, again, not violent disorder. You then moved up to Town Road near The Potteries Centre where people were shopping when the violence broke out.

“The police were there to keep order because of that violence and there were a number of protesters and police officers injured. The police officers were simply performing their duty of keeping the peace.

“You were at the front line for some considerable time. You were engaging with police officers, abusing and threatening them, and you were threatening to be violent. You could have left at any time.

“I have to consider whether you acted on religious or racial hostility, in your case I see none of this hostility.”

Stoke Sentinel

Man sentenced to five years in prison for rioting

By
February 14, 2025
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A man has been jailed for five years and seven months for encouraging people to set fire to a hotel during rioting in Staffordshire.

Mitchell Cleaver, 25, from Burton-upon-Trent sent messages to a number of people prior to the unrest, urging them to “burn the place down” and “make it the maddest night in Tamworth history”, according to Staffordshire Police.

Cleaver pleaded guilty to riot in September at Stafford Crown Court.

At the time, it was the first conviction for the offence in the West Midlands after last summer’s disorder.

A police spokesperson said footage on his phone showed the moment the Holiday Inn’s window was smashed before a fire was ignited inside.

Prosecuting, Ms Raj Punia said Cleaver was seen throwing missiles at the police line.

He had possession of a fire extinguisher, she said, and used it against officers, spraying them in an effort to force them back.

In police interviews, Cleaver denied being at the riot and said he was at a gym.

He also told authorities he could not have attended the riot because he had a severe leg injury.

The prosecution maintained he was clearly present, and the court was shown footage of his involvement.

BBC News

Arrest, charge and latest sentencing results for violent disorder in Merseyside

By
February 13, 2025
Uncategorized

A man has been charged, another arrested and three youths sentenced as we continue to investigate the violent disorder last summer.

Shay Saville, 22, of Blossom Close, in Tarleton, Lancashire, has been charged in relation to the violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July 2024. He has been bailed to appear at Liverpool Magistrate’s Court on Friday 7 March.

A 17-year-old boy from Chester, as well as a 14-year-old boy and 13-year-old boy, both from Rock Ferry, appeared at Liverpool Youth Court yesterday, Tuesday 11 February, and were all handed 12-month referral orders for their actions in the disorder in Liverpool.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old man from Southport was also arrested yesterday, Tuesday 11 February, on suspicion of violent disorder in Southport and he has been bailed pending further inquiries.

It brings the total number of arrests to 174, with 133 charged and 110 sentenced to a combined 210 years and four months in prison.

If you have any information about those who took part in the disorder, we would encourage you to contact us by calling 101, DM us @MerPolCC on social media or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Current galleries of people we would like to speak to can be found on our X and Facebook pages, and on our force website: Latest CCTV appeal in relation to summer disorder in Merseyside | Merseyside Police.

Merseyside Police

Mosque blast bid man jailed over summer riots

By
February 12, 2025
Uncategorized

A man who was previously jailed for trying to blow up a mosque has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for involvement in last summer’s riots.

Ex-soldier Simon Beech, 36, of Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty in November to violent disorder after being captured on CCTV throwing a missile at police officers.

He was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to two years and three months in prison for his part in the riots, sparked after the killing of three girls in Southport, for which Axel Rudakubana was jailed last month for a minimum of 52 years.

In 2011 Beech, of Chell Heath, attempted to blow up a mosque in Stoke, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He was arrested last August after disturbances broke out in in Hanley.

In 2011, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Beech and another man – Garreth Foster – ran a pipe into the mosque from a nearby gas meter in a bid to spark an explosion.

The building sustained damage put at £50,000 as a result of a fire that broke out.

Beech told the court during his 2011 trial he had been a member of the English Defence League and the British National Party, but said he was not racist and did not believe his views to be extreme.

Commenting on his guilty plea after the riots, chairman of City Central Mosque Amjid Wazir said Beech did not seem to have learned any lessons.

Disorder spread across England last summer partly due to false claims online about Rudakubana.

Mr Wazir praised the actions by police and the legal system to bring those responsible to justice.

“When the riots were happening in Stoke, and elsewhere in the country, people were so scared of going out,” he said.

“They were worried, they were nervous.”

BBC News