Norwich man arrested during English Defence League march appears in court

By
July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League

A man who was arrested during an English Defence League march in Norwich and charged with using threatening words or behaviour has been fined.

Matthew Berryman, 28, of Astell Road, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the offence on November 10. He was ordered to pay a £150 fine, a £20 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

Four arrests were made during the march to City Hall and counter-march by the We Are Norwich group.

Around 400 officers from 11 police forces were drafted in as part of a large-scale operation to ensure the protests passed off peacefully.

Scott Maddox, 22, of Beecheno Road, Norwich, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He has been bailed to appear in court on Friday.

Norwich Evening News

EDL gang in court over Leeds pub attack

By
July 18, 2013
affray, EDL, English Defence League, Suspended sentence, violent disorder
Soldier Cavan Langfield, arriving at court for the case, in which nine members of the EDL gang were given community sentences.

Soldier Cavan Langfield, arriving at court for the case, in which nine members of the EDL gang were given community sentences.

A gang of English Defence League supporters caused terror when they attacked a pub as an anti-racism rock concert was being staged.

Nine members of the gang were handed community sentences yesterday (Sept 3) after a court heard how windows and doors were smashed as bricks and bottles were hurled at Joseph’s Well in Leeds city centre.

Leeds Crown Court heard the gang members turned up at the venue and tried to get into to the Rock Against Racism event.

Violence erupted when one member of the gang, Mark Johnson, 31, tried to push past door staff but was resisted and suffered an injury.

A man who was at the event with his son was hit in the mouth with a missile thrown by a gang member and had a tooth knocked out.

Andrew Stranex, prosecuting, said members of the group were chanting ‘EDL’ in reference to the far right group. Others were heard to say: “We are not racist, we just hate Muslims.”

Members of the gang, aged between 14 and 31, were arrested after CCTV images were circulated to the media after the incident, which happened 2.30pm on June 18 last year.

Mr Stranex said the concert was supposed to be a peaceful event but when it was advertised on Facebook organisers had received warnings from EDL members that there may be trouble. One message read: “We will smash the place up.”

One member of the gang, soldier Cavan Langfield, learnt yesterday that he had been discharged from the Yorkshire Regiment ahead of sentencing.

The sentenced were:

Mark Johnson, 31, of Top of the Hill, Thurstonland, Huddersfield, 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, 150 hours unpaid work and £400 compensation

Matthew Bermingham, 18, of Eton Avenue, Huddersfield, one year community order, 150 hours unpaid work and £100 compensation.

Aaron Childs, 20, of Chestnut Street, Huddersfield, one year community order, 150 hours unpaid work and £200 compensation.

Jonathan Foy, 19, of Fillingfir Road, West Park. Leeds, one year community order, 150 hours unpaid work and £100 compensation.

Joseph Harman, 20, of Cherrywood Gardens, Whinmoor, Leeds, one year community order, 200 hours unpaid work, £500 compensation.

Cavan Langfield, 18, of Stratford Close, Huddersfield, one year community order, 200 hours unpaid work and £250 compensation.

Tom Maudsley, 18, of Bridon Way, Cleckheaton, one year community order, 200 hours unpaid work and £100 compensation.

Two youths, aged 15 and 17, who cannot be named, were made the subject of 12 month referral orders.

Yorkshire Evening Post

EDL gang jailed for attack at Newcastle Irish Centre

By
July 18, 2013
affray, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, violent disorder

FAR-RIGHT thugs who stormed a Newcastle club in a display of violence were today behind bars.

Members of the English Defence League (EDL) turned up at the Tyneside Irish Centre looking to infiltrate a meeting of political rivals.

It turned out their targets – the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) – were not even in the building after the EDL group were spotted in a nearby pub and officials called the meeting off fearing trouble.

But that did not stop a pack of up to 20 thugs, many wearing EDL hooded tops, from forcing entry, attacking door staff and setting off a fire extinguisher inside the Irish Centre in scenes captured on CCTV.

Now six of the gang have been locked up while three others received suspended jail terms.

Judge Roger Thorn, at Newcastle Crown Court, said: “This was a group attack on the democratic rights of others to have free association and exercise their freedom of speech.

“This behaviour cannot be tolerated, no matter how much you might dislike the views of the socialist party.

“These sentences must ensure a tit-for-tat revenge can be no option. Violence and threats of violence will not be tolerated by the EDL, SWP or indeed any other factions or groups of any kind.”

The SWP had been holding weekly meetings at the Tyneside Irish Centre, on Gallowgate, in the months before the incident.

On September 22 last year, yobs, described in court as being ‘aligned to the EDL’, met at nearby Rosie’s Bar.

That led to officials cancelling the proposed SWP meeting, fearing there would be trouble, and staff at the private members Irish Club were told not to let anyone in.

When one of the men in the EDL group, Peter Duffy, turned up, he was eventually let in so he could be shown none of his rivals were there.

Once inside he was pushed in the back by a member of staff and he retaliated by hitting the man.

Duffy was then bundled outside, where he was joined by a large group of other EDL sympathisers, who suddenly stormed the club, attacking two door staff. Jonathan Devlin, prosecuting, said: “One witness said around 20 people were outside Rosie’s Bar and they were staring across towards the Irish Centre.

“He said they ran towards the centre and when they came out he said there was a real sense of tension on the street and one man was rubbing his knuckles as if he had just punched someone.”

Mr Devlin said: “On September 22 last year several persons thought to be aligned with the EDL met at Rosie’s bar situated on the opposite side of the road.

“They forced themselves into the club foyer, a melee ensued and door staff were attacked.”

Peter Duffy, 44, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham, Colin Bell, 36, of St Oswalds Road, Hebburn, Anthony Burn, 48, of Lecondale Court, Leam Lane, Gateshead, Michael Garriock, 23, of Gibson Street, Wallsend, Barry Keddy, 34, of Deneholm, Wallsend, Alan Spence, 46, of Gerald Street, Benwell, Steven Spence, 27, of Wickham View, Denton Burn, Newcastle, and Paul Starr, 45, of Telford Street, East Howdon, North Tyneside, all admitted affray.

Nicholas Mills, 25, of Drumaldrace, Blackfell, Washington, and Colin Burton, 28, of Woodhave Court, South Shields, admitted public order offences.

Duffy was jailed for 10 months, Keddy got eight months, Garriock eight months, Steven Spence eight months, Alan Spence seven months and Burton seven months. Burn and Bell were sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with four week curfews. Starr was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with a similar curfew. Mills’ case was adjourned until later this month.

Robert Adams, defending, said the EDL had targeted the meeting after it was advertised on the internet under the heading “smash the EDL”.

Judge Thorn said he was not sentencing the men for their membership of any political party but for the premeditated violence.

Chronicle Live

Stoke-on-Trent mosque arsonists jailed

By
July 18, 2013
Arson, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed
Simon Beech and Garreth Foster denied setting fire to the mosque

Simon Beech and Garreth Foster denied setting fire to the mosque

Two men have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of deliberately setting fire to a Stoke-on-Trent mosque.

Ex-soldier Simon Beech, 23, and Garreth Foster, 29, both from Stoke, were found guilty of setting fire to Hanley’s Regent Road mosque on 3 December.

The pair had denied committing arson with intent to endanger life.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard it was in revenge for Muslim extremists burning poppies on Armistice Day.

Beech told the court during the four-day trial that he had been a member of the English Defence League and the British National Party. But he said he was not racist and did not believe his views to be extreme.

‘Nuke all mosques’

Paul Spratt, prosecuting, told the jury of five men and seven women that police had been able to establish that Beech “felt very strongly about Muslims” after accessing his Facebook account.

“He found persons through Facebook who had like-minded views. One observation he plainly agreed with was ‘Nuke All Mosques’.”

The mosque, which was partially built at the time of the fire, had not been fitted out

The jury heard that one of Beech’s online comments read: “The time has come. They burn our poppies, we burn their place. Burn the lot of them out.”

Beech told jurors his views were not aimed at the whole Muslim community but at extremist individuals.

When giving evidence in his defence Foster told the court: “I have always personally got on well with Muslims.

“Throughout all my schools I have always had Asian friends.”

The pair both denied running a pipe into the building from a nearby gas meter in a bid to spark an explosion at the mosque, which suffered about £50,000 damage as a result of the fire.

Community ‘dignified’

Speaking after the verdicts were delivered, Rana Tufail, a member of the mosque committee, said it was “difficult” to describe the arson attack.

He said: “It is a community project.

“They have put their soul into it. They have put their earnings into it and they [Beech and Foster] tried to destroy it.

“We are happy that it’s still standing.”

Ch Supt Bernie O’Rielly, from Staffordshire Police, added that he had no doubts that the pair’s intention was to “blow the mosque up”.

“Without doubt that would have caused hate in the community, division in the community and broken down all the cohesion and good work we do,” he said.

“The community around this area have been an absolute credit. They’ve acted with such restraint and so dignified in the face of such provocation.”

BBC News

Racism must not be allowed to flourish in Carlisle, judge tells hate gang

By
July 18, 2013
Jailed, Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated common assault, Racist Abuse, violent disorder

Donna-Marie Beattie, of Carlisle: Jailed for 15 months after admitting two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour

Donna-Marie Beattie, of Carlisle: Jailed for 15 months after admitting two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour


Eleven members of a drunken racist mob who terrorised two cafe workers in Carlisle are today behind bars.

The senior judge at Carlisle Crown Court, Paul Batty QC, imposed sentences totalling nearly 15 years for their threatening racist behaviour which he described as “feral” and “disgraceful”.

One of the longest jail terms – 18 months – was imposed on 33-year-old former soldier Andrew Ryan, who played a leading role in the abuse.

The group targeted the Manhattan Cafe, on Botchergate, at the end a drinking session last May when they celebrated Ryan’s release from jail for another racist offence.

He had served a 70-day term for burning a copy of the Koran holy book, stolen from Carlisle Library, in the city centre.

Before he passed sentence, Judge Batty commented on CCTV images which showed the gang abusing two Turkish workers at the Manhattan Cafe and he issued a stern warning to others contemplating racist violence.

He told the defendants: “You were acting as a vain racist mob, shrieking and shouting racist abuse for no reason whatsoever. You were fuelled by drink and it is perfectly clear from your demeanour as shown by the CCTV that you were completely and utterly out of control and you humiliated those Turkish men who were performing a public duty in that takeaway outlet, screaming at them, terrorising them.

“Racism must not be allowed to flourish in this city. I have said in the past that severe sentences will follow for anyone convicted of such behaviour.

“It will simply not in the city of Carlisle be tolerated and deterrent sentences will follow for such behaviour.”

Earlier, the courtroom had fallen silent as the prosecution played the video recording of the incident, shortly before 8pm on May 20 last year.

The gang are seen massing outside the takeaway, several of them gesticulating wildly as they yelled obscene and racist abuse at the workers.

Judge Batty described the images as “profoundly depressing”, but he pointed out that  other members of the public had come forward to help the two victims, prompting the judge to add: “Those individuals all in the dock stand out as a beacon of racism.

“But as for the rest of Carlisle one can not say that at all.”

Tim Evans, prosecuting, said there was clearly a racist element at the heart of what had happened, saying the group were motivated by a belief that the two Turkish men at the cafe were from Pakistan.

The defendants claimed they targeted the cafe because they had heard a takeaway in the Botchergate area – identified in court as the Spice of India – was at the centre of an investigation of the sexual grooming of girls. The suggestion that Manhattan Cafe staff were in any way linked to that investigation was entirely mistaken, Mr Evans told the court.

The barrister said: “The profound ignorance of racism is, of course, not to look beyond the colour of an individual’s skin. Here, that ignorance is plain for all to see, not least because the complainants are not even Pakistani or even from the Indian subcontinent.”

The court heard how the person who started the abuse was Louise Leslie, a 41-year-old mum-of-two.

She arrived at the takeaway and started the shouting and gesturing at the two workers who were inside.

She abused the two men for some minutes before finally being ushered away, with the parting comment: “You’ll never beat Carlisle chicks.”

The second person to stride into the cafe is Andrew Ryan, joined quickly by Donna-Marie Beattie, 23, and then by Ian Bradshaw, 26, Michael Wilson, 29, Craig Metcalfe, 31 and then Ryan’s younger brother Matthew, 27.

Mr Evans said of Andrew Ryan: “Ryan stood at the cafe door, angry, eyes bulging, shouting and pointing, apparently egging the others on.

“He is the most active, shouting and gesturing before the group enter the cafe.”

In the minutes that follow, they are joined by William Ewings, 43 and Wilson, who throws a chair. At one point, Bradshaw is seen flicking a lighted cigarette into the shop and throwing a fizzy drinks can.

One of the Turkish cafe workers told police the racist abuse had been going on for weeks, involving Louise Leslie and Kerry Wilson. The May 20 incident was the culmination of four weeks of abuse.

On June 8, Michael Wilson returned to the shop and again shouted abuse, threatening violence and telling the Turkish men to “get back” to their country. Both workers were left shaken and distressed by the two incidents.

All the defendants admitted two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour. Michael Wilson also admitted a single count of witness intimidation following his June 8 visit to the shop.

David Thompson, for Andrew Ryan, of Marina Crescent, Currock, said he wanted to apologise for his behaviour.

On the night he had drunk five or six lagers and the alcohol impaired his judgement, said the barrister. Mr Thompson said the Koran incident was a protest aimed at Muslim extremists.

Michael Wilson, 29, of Cant Crescent, Upperby, was jailed for 30 months.

His barrister said his life since the age of 13 had been affected by an addiction to alcohol. Having lost his home and contact with his child, he was now at rock bottom.

Ian Bradshaw, of Harrison Street, Currock, was jailed for 21 months. His barrister said he now accepted that his behaviour had been disgraceful and he apologised.

William Ewings, of Gilford Crescent, Harraby,was jailed for 13 months. He was said to be remorseful and “disgusted” at his behaviour.

Louise Annette Leslie, of Buchanan Road, Currock, was jailed for 15 months. Her barrister said she had an excellent work record.

Also jailed for 15 months was Donna-Marie Beattie, 22, of Sybil Street, Carlisle, whose barrister said she was ashamed of her actions.

Leslie’s twin sister Kerry Victoria Wilson, 41, of Ridley Road, Currock, who did not use racist language but joined in by banging on the takeaway window, was jailed for a year.

The court heard that Matthew Ryan, who lives with his brother Andrew in Currock, suffered mental health problems and was easily led. He was jailed for 10 months.

Craig William Metcalfe, 31, of Gilsland Road, Durranhill,was jailed for 15 months. He deeply regretted his actions, his barrister told the judge.

Tracie Wilkinson, 35, of Levens Drive, Morton, said to be an alcoholic, was jailed for 15 months, while Rebecca Louise Wardle, 24, of Eden Park Crescent, Botcherby, was jailed for 13 months. Her barrister said she had been very drunk.


Cumberland News

South West Durham men with links to English Defence League fined over racist chants after Middlesbrough game

By
July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, Racist Abuse

A GROUP of men linked to the English Defence League have been fined for chanting racially motivated abuse after attending a football match.

The six, from south-west Durham, were found guilty of shouting highly inflammatory chants at Middlesbrough railway station.

Yesterday, more than 50 members of the far-right organisation gathered outside Teesside Magistrates’ Court to show their support, and anger flared when court officials would only allow five of them in the public gallery.

There was a heavy police presence in the town after supporters met in a nearby pub before going to the court.

The court heard how the men, who represented themselves at last month’s trial, shouted abuse at the station in December last year, after Middlesbrough’s game against Brighton.

The court was told they were singing EDL chants and when they started singing a highly inflammatory religious chant, a police officer decided to eject them from the station.

As the group left, one of the men, Christopher Caswell, 32, became aggressive and raised his fist and a British Transport Police officer responded by spraying him with CS gas and calling for police back-up.

Paul Ross , 47, who told the court he runs the south-west Durham division of the EDL, said the group had just been taking part in a bit of banter.

Kevin Smallcombe, in mitigation, said: “All of the defendants will recognise the decision that this court has made, but that is not to say it is accepted, and there will be an appeal.”

Elizabeth Hutchinson, the chairwoman of the bench, said: “You knew exactly what you were doing and you deliberately set out to use racially abusive language and intimidate members of the public, in particular the PC who was carrying out his duties.”

Jak Beasley, 23, of Cedar Road, Bishop Auckland , was ordered to pay £970 in fines and costs; Caswell, 32, of West Auckland Road, Darlington, was ordered to pay £970; Ross, 48 of Auckland Wynd, Shildon , was ordered to pay £1,040; Shaun Bunting, 33, of Fenhall Green, Newton Aycliffe< , was ordered to pay £935; Ross Williams, 23, of Ebberston Court, Spennymoor , was also ordered to pay £935 and Dean Spence, 22, of Yew Close, Spennymoor, was ordered to pay £970.

When the fines were announced, one supporter was ordered out of the public gallery for swearing, and others started chanting when the six defendants left the court building.

Northern Echo

Redbridge mosque attackers jailed by judge

By
July 18, 2013
Jailed, violent disorder

Four thugs who smashed up a Redbridge mosque before hurling a brick at the imam have been jailed for a total of 12-and-a-half years today.

The gang shattered the windows of Redbridge Islamic Centre, Eastern Avenue, before trying to storm their way inside while taunting worshippers with sickening chants.

Rocky Beale, 19, of Purleigh Avenue, Woodford Green and Eliot Jones, 19, of Keswick Gardens, Redbridge, pelted the centre with bricks, along with 18-year-old Matthew Stephenson, of Burrow Road, Hainault.

Harry Deluca, 16, whose name can now be revealed after an order was lifted by the judge, also pelted the centre and repeatedly screamed “EDL” throughout the assault on March 24.

All four denied violent disorder but were convicted by a jury last month after just 90 minutes of deliberation.

 Judge Timothy King sentenced Beale, Jones and Stephenson to three-and-a-half years each in a young offenders’ institution during yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Deluca, of Manford Way, Hainault was given a two-year detention and training order.

The judge told them: “It is difficult, it seems to me, to imagine a case of violent disorder more serious than this one.”

Cllr Shoaib Patel, cabinet member for community safety on Redbridge Council, told the Recorder: “I am delighted with the result and it is great news for all the people that suffered because of the attack.

“It shows that Redbridge will not tolerate racial abuse after the community has worked hard to promote strong cohesion.”

London 24

No jail for bungling crook.

By
July 18, 2013
Burglary

A HAPLESS thief from Buckhurst Hill has escaped jail for his part in a raid on a supermarket, after he and another accomplice went to a police station to ask about a third man who had already been arrested for the crime.

Conor Thorne, 18, of Cherry Tree Rise in Buckhurst Hill, went to Barkingside police station just hours after the robbery at the nearby branch of Somerfield in the early hours of Sunday March 7.

Thorne and Eliot Jones, 18, of Keswick Gardens in Ilford, went to the station to ask about the whereabouts of Rocky-Lee Beale, also 18, of Purleigh Way, Woodford Green, who was arrested while fleeing the scene earlier that morning.

The pair were promptly arrested when officers identified them.

The three men along with, were all given conditional discharges for 18 months, after pleading guilty at Redbridge Magistrates Court on Monday March 8.

Police were called at around 2:27am after a nearby residents saw the three breaking into the supermarket.

The men were also seen on CCTV running away from the store, having stolen some alcoholic drinks.

On arriving at the scene, officers heard shouting from the junction of Virginia Gardens and the High Street, and arrived to see three men running away.

Police gave chase before catching up with Beale and arrested him on suspicion of burglary.Guardian Series

EDL member pleads not guilty to affray

By
July 18, 2013
affray, EDL, English Defence League

A man from Birmingham has been charged with affray following ugly clashes at an English Defence League demonstration in Aylesbury in May last year.

Stuart Bates, aged 41, of Lazyhill, Kings Norton, was charged with affray by Thames Valley Police on May 5.

He was bailed and appeared at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he entered a not guilty plea to the charge.

The case was adjourned and the next hearing will be at Aylesbury Crown Court in July.

Bucks Herald

Quran ‘desecrated’ in Chorley mosque attack

By
July 18, 2013
Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated criminal damage, Racist Abuse, racist graffiti

A Quran was ’desecrated’ and racist graffiti daubed at a mosque, it has emerged.

Two teenagers have been charged with racially aggravated criminal damage connected with the incident in Chorley.

Police said intruders entered the Dawat Ul Islam Masjid, also known as Chorley Mosque, in Brooke Street, before causing interior damage and damaging various items, including a Quran.

Officers added that racially-abusive graffiti was found on walls at the building during the incident.

Police said that their investigations had not linked the attack to any organised anti-Islamic group.

Coun Hasina Khan, who lives nearby and represents Chorley east on the borough council, said many Muslims in the town were shocked by the incident.

She said: “Every religion and all places of worship should be given the greatest of respect by all members of the community.”

She added: “Chorley is a place of cohesion between the communities and incidents like this are very rare.”

Sergeant Kevin Mountain, from the Chorley neighbourhood police team, said: “We treat incidents of this nature with the utmost gravity.

“I would urge anyone who feels they have been subjected to a crime because of their race or religious beliefs to contact us immediately and we will investigate fully.”

 The £500,000 mosque, which opened five years ago, has a capacity for more than 500 worshippers and was the first purpose-built mosque in Chorley.

Its facilities include a wash room and two large prayer rooms on each floor.

The incident happened on April 16 but police have only just released details after charging two people.

Daniel Barrow, 18, of Berkeley Close, Chorley, has been bailed to appear before Blackburn magistrates on July 15 charged with racially-aggravated criminal damage.

A 17-year-old youth has been bailed to appear before a juvenile court in Chorley on July 5 charged with two counts of racially aggravated criminal damage.

The Citizen