A man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder following a riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
John Webster, 41, of Hague Avenue, Rawmarsh, admitted taking part in the major unrest at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August.
The violence saw hotel windows smashed, fires lit around the building and police officers, who guarded the hotel, attacked and injured.
The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told Webster he would be sentenced on 16 January.
Andrew McIntyre called for the Home Secretary to be hanged after the Southport stabbings
A copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf was discovered inside a taxi driver’s home after his secret online identity was revealed.
Andrew McIntyre published a string of “sickening posts” on messaging app Telegram following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last summer.
This included calling for the Home Secretary to be hanged and inciting violent action before rioting erupted in the seaside town, Liverpool city centre and Walton. He also told his followers after one such ugly episode: “Well done last night lads. To all you heavy hitters, are you ready for round two?”
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Monday, that McIntyre, of Cousins Lane in Rufford, was the administrator of the Telegram channel “Southport Wake Up”, which was set up in the aftermath of the tragic killings. This group was said to have been “the catalyst for and origin of a series of posts concerning these events”, which were widely shared on social media and contained “false rumours” that the attacker was an illegal immigrant and a Muslim.
Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, said of the subsequent disturbances on Merseyside and across the country: “It is the prosecution’s case that many of these seats of disorder were not simply spontaneous or that persons coincidentally simply decided to turn up and take part. It is the crown’s case that others, to a greater or lesser degree, participated in the organisation, encouragement and incitement of such gatherings which resulted in the disorder. One such person is the defendant.”
The court was told that McIntyre set up the Telegram page in question “virtually immediately” after the stabbings, going by the usernames “Bing” and “Stimpy” on the platform. The 39-year-old first shared his channel on another group – “Liverpool People’s Resistance”, described as being “known for encouraging and inciting right wing disorder in Merseyside” – at 6pm on July 29 last year.
The Stimpy account then went on to share details from a Tommy Robinson site concerning the following day’s planned protest at the Southport Islamic Society Mosque on St Luke’s Road via TikTok. Shortly after 8pm, McIntyre wrote on his own channel: “Rise up English lads. 8pm tomorrow, St Luke’s Road, Southport.”
Then, at 9.40pm, he again posted the message “St Luke’s Road, Tuesday the 30th of July, 8pm” alongside seven fire emojis. In the early hours of July 30, he uploaded a picture of a group of masked men alongside the message: “No face, no case. Protect your identity. 8pm, July 30th, St Luke’s Road, Southport.”
At 5pm that day, McIntyre posted what was said to be a “clear threat to the police” by adding: “Message to all. Stand in our way, even if you’re just doing your job, prepare to fall.”
Another user responded to this by saying “we’ll get to the mosque and rip it f***ing down”. Cell siting data subsequently showed that McIntyre’s phone was located within the area of St Luke’s Road at around 7pm, with his car also being placed in the area between 6.45pm and 10.45pm.
Shortly after 5.45pm the following day, he posted on Telegram: “Well done last night lads. To all you heavy hitters, are you ready for round two? Liverpool mosque, West Derby Road, Friday, 8pm. Mass deportations. Ethno state. Death to traitors. We are not asking, we are protesting. We are coming to take what is ours. Rise sons of Europa.”
Mr Gibson then detailed a “further attack on the police” on August 1, which comprised of a picture of a police officer “hugging a Muslim male” alongside the caption “two tiered scum”. Another user by the name of “Southport Stand Up” meanwhile posted: “1. Use burner accounts. No revealing information. Use burner phone, SIM and VPN to sign up.
“2. No face, no case. Mask up. Leave phones at home/in a far away case. Avoid/destroy CCTV cameras.
“3. Nobody talks, nobody walks. The only three pieces of information you must give the police are name, address, date of birth. Everything else is no comment. They will find a way to twist everything you say. Stay tactical, stay agile brothers. Free Europa Army.”
That evening, two posts from the Southport Wake Up channel were shared on the Tommy Robinson page. One included an aerial map of the area around a mosque accompanied by four fire emojis and the message: “Rally point, 8pm, Liverpool.”
Two days later, a further post accompanied by five fire emojis added “mass deportations, Saturday 3rd of August, 7pm, County Road mosque, Liverpool”. McIntyre subsequently shared this message on the Liverpool People’s Resistance page.
Mr Gibson added: “Perhaps one of the more sickening posts which found its way from the Southport Wake Up site was a post which read ‘Justice, Friday 8pm, West Derby Road mosque, Liverpool’. These words overlay a photo of the young lady who had heroically tried to defend the children and the three photos of the children who had been killed.”
In another post from his “Bing” account, which McIntyre shared from the Southport Wake Up site on the Liverpool People’s Resistance channel in the early hours of August 3, he said alongside 10 fire emojis: “To all people who turned out tonight, you are heroes. Massive police presence combined with bussed in trade union activists and a handful of muzz rats.
“We scare the s*** out of the establishment. It took the heaviest police presence Liverpool has ever seen to shout us down, more than any event, any match day. Think about that for a second.
“Targeting the mosque may not have seemed sensible, but it created a reaction and revealed their hand. Along with Sunderland, we have shown what an organised rabble can do.
“No leaders, no organisation. Just white men and women marching the filth down. Fight hard and remember your ancestors are watching. Make them proud. Rise, sons of Europa.”
Shortly after 8pm, the same account was used to share a post from Southport Wake Up on the Tommy Robinson page which consisted of a photograph of an attack on a “stand in Liverpool advertising the Muslim faith” and further fire emojis alongside the caption: “Free Quran stand in Liverpool city centre gets f***ed up. Go on lads.”
McIntyre then added “get down County Road Liverpool people, it’s starting”. A later post showed a picture of a “confrontation between a white male and a black male” alongside the message: “Your ancestors did not die to become a minority. Fight for your future, fight for your kin.”
The Telegram channel was also used to “target solicitors firms and organisations which provided advice and assistance in relation to those seeking to claim asylum”. In one message shared from the Southport Wake Up page onto the Tommy Robinson channel, McIntyre said on August 5: “Wednesday night lads. They won’t stop coming until you tell them. No more immigration. 8pm, mask up. Spread this as far and wide as you can.”
This was accompanied by a “list of immigration advisors around the country”. Sefton Council was also targeted by the group, with a picture of its offices in Bootle being shared on the same date alongside fire emojis and the message: “Mass deportations, Bottle [sic] Strand Council Office. Friday 8pm. They are responsible for letting so many [racial slur] live and work in our area. Burn it f***ing down.”
Hope Not Hate became aware of posts on the channel and subsequently notified Merseyside Police. This led to McIntyre being arrested at around 7.30pm on August 8, when his taxi was stopped by officers on Smithdown Road.
During a search of the car, PCs discovered a knife located underneath the floor of the boot inside the spare tyre. His home was also searched by the force, at which time a copy of Mein Kampf was seized.
The court meanwhile heard of a post from August 1, in which McIntyre shared a YouTube video concerning the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP alongside the message “we’re going to hang this woman and her associates”. After another user, “Dreckly”, commented “her way of speaking is so annoying, like a patronising, insipid train announcer”, the “Bing” account was used to respond: “She threatened us lads, now she’s going to taste the rope.”
He was also said to have made posts relating to Hope Not Hate’s chief executive Nick Lowles, including one in which he stated: “Death to Nick Lowles. Any who take his life will be a hero to the cause.”
Mr Gibson said that these and his copy of Hitler’s manifesto were “indicative of his extreme right wing views”, adding: “This supports the proposition that his clear intention in setting up Southport Wake Up was that offences of serious public disorder involving violence and criminal damage were to be carried out as a result of his encouragement and incitement. Furthermore, it is submitted that these actions and words clearly had a racist intent.”
McIntyre, who has no previous convictions, was previously accused of encouraging the murder of Ms Cooper, although this count was subsequently dropped by the prosecution. Julian Nutter, defending, told the court: “His mother and father are in court, horrified that he is in this predicament.
“He is of previous positive good character. He is 39 years of age and has never come to the attention of the police before. Those who have spoken on his behalf describe somebody very different to that which you have heard from the prosecution.”
McIntyre admitted encouraging or assisting an offence and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a dark grey jumper and sporting short dark hair and a beard, he showed no reaction as he was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “In late July and early August 2024, a series of violent disturbances erupted across England following the tragic incident when three young girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class in Southport. Violence fuelled by misinformation and far right sentiment spread to towns and cities across the nation.
“Significant damage was caused and injuries were sustained. Those subjected to violence or threats of violence including police officers whose duty it was to protect the community.
“You were responsible for spready that misinformation. It is clear that, in doing so, you were motivated by racial hatred. I have no doubt that your actions encouraged many people to plan and commit offences of violent disorder and criminal damage.
“Your responsibility spreads for beyond the commission of a single criminal offence. You were, in effect, an active participant in the commission of numerous offences in Merseyside and beyond and over a significant period of time.
“I am told that you do not maintain that you do not hold racist views and acted as you did because you were annoyed with the government for their lack of action. If you had maintained that account, I would have rejected it.
“It is clear beyond doubt that you were motivated by racial hatred. Until you moderate these views, you will pose a high risk of harm to the the public.
“I accept that there is another side to your character. Those who know you well regard you as hard working, kind and caring.”
Merseyside Police’s Detective Inspector Paula Jones added following McIntyre’s sentencing: “The actions of the people who took part in the disorder in Southport had a huge impact on a community still grieving the harrowing events of July 29. McIntyre played a key role in coordinating the group who took to the streets on 30 July, using social media to encourage members of the group to turn up at the heart of the communities in Southport and Liverpool to commit criminal damage.
“The result left dozens of officers injured as bricks, bins and other missiles were thrown at them. Residents’ walls were dismantled to create makeshift missiles and their bins set alight, while windows were smashed and a trail of destruction was left in their wake.
“Of those who took part in the disorder, many of whom will have seen McIntyre’s messages, 163 have been arrested, 121 charged and now 90 have been sentenced to a total of 189 years and 10 months. Like dozens of others before him, I hope McIntyre spends the time he will now have in prison reflecting on his actions during the disorder and the impact it had on communities here in Merseyside.”
A 64-year-old man who admitted stealing from two shops during the Hull riots has been jailed for 16 months.
Shaun Adams was seen on CCTV with a walking stick climbing in through the broken doors of the Lush cosmetics shop and the O2 phone store on 3 August.
Hull Crown Court was told that it was not clear what he had taken and the value of the stolen items.
Adams, of Russell Street, Hull, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary at the city’s magistrates’ court in November.
Prosecutor Billy Torbett said the offending took place during the large-scale public disorder in Hull city centre after rioting broke out following an anti-immigration demonstration.
Mr Torbett said the damage and loss to both shops from the rioting and looting was in excess of £30,000 each.
Adams’ barrister Oliver Shipley said that his client had “a crippling drug addiction for many years” and he was also undergoing treatment for cancer.
Passing sentence, Judge Mark Bury said he accepted that Adams was not the person who had initially broken into the shops but was “part of an enterprise that involved a significant loss of property”.
“It is depressing watching the people going into the shops and helping themselves to other people’s property,” the judge added.
Judge Bury warned the defendant that he had to address his addiction while in prison “or you won’t make old bones if you go back to drugs”.
As well as the 16-month jail term, an 18-week suspended sentence for a previous burglary was activated.
A man who was part of a violent mob that attacked police officers guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers has been sentenced.
Rory Huggins, 20, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was filmed throwing a water bottle at officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, during rioting on 4 August.
Sheffield Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Huggins, of Haythorne Way, in Swinton, Rotherham, had learning difficulties and was described as having the mental age of a 10-year-old.
Sentencing him to 12 months detention in a young offender institution, Judge Sarah Wright told the defendant he was “to some extent a very vulnerable young man” who was “easily led and clearly exploited by others”.
“Although I don’t sentence you as a 10-year-old, as you are in fact an adult, I take into account your reduced levels of functioning,” Judge Wright said.
“Whatever your own involvement, you were part of a violent group attacking the police.”
Huggins is one of more than 80 people who have been sentenced in relation to the disorder in Rotherham.
During the unrest, rioters smashed windows and doors, set fires around the building and attacked police with weapons, including fence panels and metal poles.
More than 60 officers were injured, and the hotel and surrounding area sustained immense damage, Sheffield Crown Court heard previously.
Footage played in court on Tuesday, showed Huggins as part of a group being aggressive towards police and throwing a water bottle at the police line.
Judge Wright was told the bottle subsequently hit an officer’s shield, but no injuries were sustained as a result.
Passing sentence, Judge Wright said she accepted Huggins’ involvement had been “limited” and that in light of his personal circumstances, his culpability had been reduced “substantially”.
Huggins, who appeared via video link from HMP Doncaster, had no previous convictions.
Andrew McIntyre, 39, set up a Telegram channel in the aftermath of the Southport knife attack in which three young girls were killed.
A taxi-driver whose posts on social media were a “catalyst” for violent disorder has been jailed for seven and a half years.
Andrew McIntyre, 39, set up a Telegram channel called “Southport Wake Up”, in the immediate aftermath of the knife attack at a children’s dance class in the Merseyside town on July 29 last year, Liverpool Crown Court was told on Monday.
Sentencing him, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said the defendant was “prominent” among people responsible for spreading misinformation following the Southport attack.
He said: “You were motivated by racial hatred.|
“I have no doubt your actions encouraged many people to plan and then to commit offences of both violent disorder and criminal damage.”
He said the offence was aggravated because it was motivated by racial hostility and involved attacks on police officers.
Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, said the case involved a “sinister aspect” of violence which took place in parts of the UK last summer.
He said: “It is the prosecution case that many of these seats of disorder were not simply spontaneous, or that persons coincidentally simply decided to turn up and take part.
“It is the Crown’s case that others, to a greater or lesser degree, participated in the organisation, encouragement and incitement of such gatherings, which resulted in the disorder.
“It is the Crown’s case that one such person is the defendant.”
The Southport Wake Up channel was identified by the group Hope Not Hate as a “catalyst for and origin of a series of posts” concerning incidents of violence, Mr Gibson said.
The court heard McIntyre, who pleaded guilty to encouraging violent disorder and criminal damage and possession of a knife, shared content from a site called Tommy Robinson / Britain First / For Britain about a protest in Southport on July 30.
He also posted a map after adding: “Mosque at the top of Hart St.”
In a later post he wrote: “Rise Up English Lads. 8pm tomorrow St Luke’s Rd Southport.”
Hours before violence broke out in Southport on July 30, he posted a “clear threat to police”, writing: “Message to All … Stand in our way, even if you’re just doing your job … prepare to fall.”
Another user responded: “We’ll get to the mosque and rip it f****** down.”
The court was told McIntyre’s phone was in the area of St Luke’s Road in Southport at 7pm on July 30 and the car he was later arrested in was also in the area when the disorder took place.
The day after disorder, McIntyre posted: “Well done last night lads, to all you heavy hitters.
“Are you ready for Round 2??? … Liverpool Mosque, West Derby Road, Friday 8pm.”
McIntyre was working as a taxi driver when he was intercepted by police in Liverpool on August 8 and arrested, Mr Gibson said.
A knife was found hidden in the boot of his car and, when his home was searched, officers found weapons and a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf, the court heard.
The defendant followed proceedings on a videolink from HMP Liverpool, where he has been remanded in custody, while his parents looked on from the public gallery of the courtroom.
Julian Nutter, defending, said: “His parents are horrified that he is in this predicament.
“He is a man of previous good character and has never come to the attention of the police before.”
Among character references were letters from McIntyre’s parents and a family friend, the court heard.
Mr Nutter said: “Those who have spoken on his behalf describe somebody who is very different from what we have heard from the prosecution about him.”
McIntyre, of Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, was originally charged with encouraging murder after posting a link to a YouTube video of the Home Secretary with the caption: “We’re going to hang this woman and her associates.”
Mr Gibson said the decision was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to pursue the charge to trial because of “evidential issues” concerning whether the defendant actually believed the act would be carried out.
The count was left to lie on the file.
A 16-year-old boy has been given a referral order after taking part in last summer’s rioting in which 400 missiles were thrown at police in Hull.
The boy, who was 15 at the time and cannot be named for legal reasons, was caught on CCTV hurling objects, damaging shop windows and stealing items from a Lush store in Hull city centre on 3 August.
At Hull Magistrates’ Court earlier, which was sitting as a youth court, the teenager admitted burglary with intent to cause damage and burglary with intent to steal. He previously admitted violent disorder and theft at a previous hearing.
Judge Mark Daley heard the boy had played a “very active part” in the unrest.
Violence erupted across England following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.
In Hull, a hotel was targeted, police officers were attacked, shops looted and cars were damaged and set alight as a demonstration descended into angry unrest.
Prosecutor Mr Dhinsa said the boy had “actively armed himself” during the disorder.
Video clips of the teenager were played in court, in which he could be seen smashing the windows of Shoezone and O2 stores.
In one clip, he could be seen lifting items from a Lush store and adding them to a basket before walking out. In another he is seen throwing a bath bomb at a wall inside the same premises.
In other footage, the boy was seen on Jameson Street pushing two large wheelie bins and throwing missiles among a mob, which included John Honey, who was jailed for his part in the riot.
The prosecutor said police officers were “outnumbered” by those taking part in the violent unrest with tens of thousands of pounds of damage caused to the city that day including £220,000 worth at the Lush and O2 stores.
However, the boy “wasn’t involved in all of it”, said Mr Dhinsa.
The court heard the boy was handed into the police station by his parents after his mother received a phone call from a family friend who had seen the teenager in videos. When she confronted him about it, her son said: “I was there when it happened but I didn’t throw anything.”
In mitigation, solicitor Jason Nicholson said the youngster went to the city centre “out of curiosity and didn’t know anybody there”.
“He was drawn into the activity and he takes full responsibility for his actions,” he said.
Sentencing the boy to a 12-month referral order and a £26 surcharge, Judge Daley heard how he had “let himself down and his family”.
The teenager’s father told the court how it had “affected the family”.
“I think he’s just been rebelling,” he said.
“It’s hard for all of us.”
They were all put behind bars
A builder, market worker and war veterans were among those who were jailed this year for their roles in the Hanley riots. Trouble erupted on Saturday, August 3 as the city centre was swamped with protesters marching down the streets.
Around 100 police with riot shields and dog units responded to the chaos. Planned protests kicked off at around 11.30am.
Large groups of men were seen turning out around the mosques in opposition to the demonstrators. From around 1.30pm, the groups began to clash, primarily at first around the Darul Falah mosque in Town Road.
Among both the protestors and those who had turned out at the mosques to oppose them, individuals were witnessed to be carrying weapons. Scores of people have been arrested in connection with the riots and the police investigation continues.
Any witnesses to the Hanley riots can call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Here’s a round-up of some of those who have been jailed:
‘Chanting’ couple Ciaran Lockett and Deana Evans became the first to be jailed for their parts in the Hanley riots. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Lockett chanted songs, took part in a sit-down protest, stopped a police van driving through the city centre, and threw a bottle at police.
The 34-year-old scaffolder, of Fletcher Bank, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was jailed for 32 months. Partner Evans filmed the incident, shouted and chanted. The 32-year-old warehouse worker, of Poplar Court, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker and was jailed for 20 months.
Ashley Morris
A dad-of-three left needing six stitches after being bashed over the head in a Hanley riots hammer attack was jailed. Ashley Morris also suffered a broken nose as violence erupted on the streets of Hanley.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 31-year-old was bare-chested because he had taken his shirt off to use it as a bandage for an injured woman. But Morris – who has lost his job as a groundworker following the troubles – pleaded guilty to violent disorder after throwing a brick towards St John’s Church which Islamic leaders want to convert into a Mosque. He was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Andrew Townley
Bungling builder Andrew Townley was easily identified at the Hanley riots – with his work’s phone number on the back of his hi-vis jacket. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 45-year-old had no intention of going to the riots – and was instead trying to get to his mum’s home on the opposite side of the police cordon.
But he was arrested at work more than a month later after trying to break through the police line. He had told police ‘you have got no chance against me, no chance, any of you’ before disappearing back into the crowd.
Townley, of Penarth Grove, Hanley, was jailed for 34 months after admitting violent disorder following the August 3 trouble. He was also handed an eight-month prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker which will run concurrently.
Lee Whitby
Iraq veteran Lee Whitby was at the ‘forefront’ of the Hanley riots. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 41-year-old was caught on camera near Salahuddin Mosque, on Town Road, as well as at the front of police lines outside Hanley Library and in Shelton during the August 3 troubles.
Whitby – who had 42 previous offences on his record – was jailed for 26 months after admitting violent disorder. Tours of Kosovo and Iraq have left him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the court was told.
Marcus Ramsden
A dad who took part in the Hanley riots will miss his son’s first birthday after being locked up for two years for spitting at police. Marcus Ramsden was invited to the Hanley riots by friends and family.
CCTV footage captured the 22-year-old – from Latebrook Close, in Goldenhill – shouting, swearing and spitting at police officers on Town Road. Ramsden pleaded guilty to violent disorder and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
Ryan Perry
A 23-year-old man who has worked in Hanley Market for 12 years was locked up – after ‘stumbling across’ the city centre riots ‘by chance’. Ryan Perry was on a Saturday off when he dropped his girlfriend off in Hanley and went to the shops and a pub.
But he later joined the Hanley riots, struck police officers’ shields, and made an obscene gesture to a group outside Salahuddin Mosque, on Town Road. Perry, of Mount Street, Hanley, was jailed for 22 months for violent disorder and assaulting two police officers.
Dominic Cartwright
Dad Dominic Cartwright hurled missiles towards a mosque and was up for a fight at the ‘forefront’ of the Hanley riots. The 34-year-old says he had only gone to Hanley after finishing his night shift to have a drink in Wetherspoons and watch Stoke City.
But he instead endured the ‘worst day of his life’ after becoming caught up in the August 3 riots. Cartwright, of Shawport Avenue, Bradwell, was jailed for 28 months after admitting violent disorder.
Joseph Pointon
A first-time buyer who went to Hanley to arrange a mortgage for a house became involved in ugly scenes of violent disorder. Joseph Pointon, aged 23, allowed his curiosity to get the better of him when he saw a group being aggressive towards police in Hanley on Saturday, August 3.
He ripped off a plastic drainpipe and launched it at police. He dismantled parts of a roundabout at Town Road and threw a brick which connected with an officer’s riot shield.
Pointon was jailed for 28 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Prosecutor Dylan Wagg said Pointon was seen in Cannon Place with others being stopped by the police cordon.
Lee Grocott
A 48-year-old man attended the Hanley riots to ‘protest about illegal immigration’ – and ended up being jailed for 32 months. Lee Grocott, of no fixed address, launched missiles in Town Road, shouted anti-Islamic remarks, shouted ‘paedos’, and targeted peaceful protesters outside Hanley Town Hall.
The defendant was identified on CCTV, admitted violent disorder, and was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Jordan Jones
A rioter who hurled a brick at police trying to quell trouble in Hanley was jailed for more than two years. Jordan Jones was caught on CCTV launching the missile and shouting abuse as mass disorder erupted in the city centre.
The 27-year-old, of Meir, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to two-years-and-two-months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis.
James Watkins
Dad-of-four James Watkins ‘lost everything again’ having fought back from losing his job in Covid, becoming addicted to monkey dust and ending up on the streets. The 35-year-old has been drug-free for more than a year.
But he is now behind bars after being a ‘continuous presence’ at the August 3 Hanley riots. He was verbally abusive, gesturing, and wielded a bottle after being struck by a police shield.
Watkins, of Sherwin Road, Stanfield, was jailed for three years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after admitting a charge of violent disorder.
Jarrod Hollinshead
Homeless Jarrod Hollinshead was jailed for his part in the Hanley riots – after joining what he thought was a ‘music parade with free beer’. The 26-year-old had gone to City Central Library, in Hanley, to email family just an hour after appearing at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
But the library was shut and he joined what he initially thought was a music parade with the offer of free beer. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Hollinshead later threw a brick and shouted ‘f**k all of you’ before being taken to the ground.
The brick had been hauled towards St John’s Church, on Town Road, which Islamic leaders want to turn into the Darul Falah Mosque.
Stoke Sentinel
A THUG who threw missiles at police officers during a riot in Bristol has avoided going to jail.
Andrew Heath was a “main offender” in a group which caused chaos in Castle Park and on Bristol Bridge in August, a court was told.
The 51-year-old from Caldicot had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Avon and Somerset Police said he threw missiles towards officers.
He was jailed for two years but the sentence was suspended for 18 months at Bristol Crown Court on December 18.
A total of 29 people have been convicted with violent disorder across the police force areas of Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
These are the faces of all those convicted in relation to violent riots which have taken place across the North East.
Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington have all witnessed scenes of shocking violence as riots spread across the nation following the Southport attack in which three young girls were fatally stabbed. North East courts were busy as the first rioters appeared.
Kieran Usher, from Sunderland, became the first person in the country to be convicted of riot and was handed a four year and four month prison sentence.
According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) more than 1,000 people have been arrested over rioting across the UK, with more than 370 of those being charged. Specialist officers are continuing to pursue online influencers who “stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence”.
Between 30 July and 7 August 2024, an estimated 29 anti-immigration demonstrations and riots took place across 27 towns and cities in the UK. Many of these were violent, with participants attacking mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. Known far-right activists promoted and attended the riots.
Police acted quickly to identify those involved, while some people were arrested during the riots, the majority were arrested afterwards.
According to the UK Parliament website, the police reportedly compiled video evidence through a range of tactics, which include gathering body worn camera footage, social media footage, CCTV and video doorbells.
Additional footage was also captured using drones and helicopters, while evidence-gathering teams were deployed during the protest and were tasked with capturing video evidence on the ground.
Here is a round-up of rioters who have appeared before the North East courts.
Kieran Usher
Kieran Usher became the first person in the country to be convicted of riot following the disorder across the UK. After a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on September 13, Christopher Atkinson, head of the complex casework Unit for CPS North East, said: “It is clear from the evidence in this case that Usher played an active role in the mob violence that unfolded on the streets of Sunderland.
“He was filmed working with a group of at least twenty other people to rain missiles onto attending police officers. The co-ordinated and unlawful violence carried out by the group in this incident, the severity of which forced police to temporarily retreat from the assault, made a charge of riot wholly appropriate in this case. The events of that evening also created immeasurable fear for Sunderland residents, with significant damage caused to local businesses.
“We would like to praise the response of Northumbria Police, who effectively tackled the immediate situation, while also securing key evidence to help us build robust cases against the perpetrators of this violence. “The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work alongside our criminal justice partners to ensure that anyone threatening the communities we serve are swiftly brought to justice for their actions.” Usher, 32, of Bramwell Road, Hendon, Sunderland, was sentenced to four years and four months’ imprisonment.
Shaun Doran
Shirtless and with England flag in hand, this is Sunderland rioter John Kirtley taking part in the violent protests that brought shame on his own city.
Paul Barton, of Newcastle, subjected his then-girlfriend to a series of attacks, including stamping on her while she was unconscious
A savage Newcastle thug repeatedly stamped on his partner and threatened to kill her while holding a knife to her throat during a “campaign of terror”. Paul Barton subjected his then-girlfriend to a series of assaults, including stamping, punching and kicking her after she had lost consciousness.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the violent relationship had a significant impact on the victim and a judge described her statement about how she had suffered as “harrowing”. Now 47-year-old Barton, of Finchley Crescent, Daisy Hill, Newcastle, has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he admitted three assaults and threats to kill.
In March this year they were living together as a couple when there was a verbal argument and she tried to leave flat out of the back door. Barton grabbed her by the hair and dragged her onto the floor.
Lucy Todd, prosecuting, said: “The complainant lost consciousness at this point. When she regained consciousness the defendant disclosed he had stamped, punched and kicked her when she was unconscious.”
Barton was apologetic and the victim was too frightened to report what he had done at that stage. In the following weeks she suffered such pain in her ribs that she believed she had broken ribs.
On May 3, the victim liked a post the of a family friend on Facebook which Barton was unhappy about. Miss Todd said he complained about it then attacked her. She added: “He put her on the floor and stamped on her chest with his foot while wearing shoes, leaving her in pain and with bruising to her to her right breast.
“During this he also pinned her on the sofa and held a knife to her throat, saying he was going to kill her. He got on top of her, kneeling so she couldn’t move while he held the knife to her throat.
“She tried to push him off and as a result her thumb was cut with the blade.” The court heard the sofa and walls were left covered in blood, which the victim had to clean up afterwards.
A few days later, they clashed again and the woman started packing her clothes and said she was leaving. Miss Todd said: “The defendant began punching her to the body.
“She scratched him to try to defend herself. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to the floor and stamped on her head, causing swelling to her face, bruising to her scalp and skinning part of her scalp.”
In a victim impact statement, she said: “Since starting the relationship, I feel like I’m no longer myself. He has changed the way I think and I have lost confidence in myself.
“I’ve always been a happy, outgoing, strong-minded person. Now I don’t feel like the person I’ve always been. Coming to terms with what happened and the impact it had has been hard. I no longer feel safe going places on my own.”
Barton, 47, who has 31 previous convictions, including for GBH in 2005, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to kill. He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
Assistant Judge Advocate Tom Mitchell said: “This was a campaign of terror by you against her. The victim personal statements are harrowing and I’ve no doubt she will remember her encounter with you for the rest of her life.”
Ian Cook, defending, acknowledged the offences were “horrendous”. He said Barton had worked as a crane operator and his employer is keen to have him back when he is freed. He added that he has dealt with a previous heroin addition and is on methadone.
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