Two young women appear in court for their parts in Hull riot

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November 28, 2024
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Elizabete Zvirgzdina and Lucy Houghton both handled stolen shoes from Shoezone, the court heard

Two young women became involved in the serious scenes of looting that played a key part of the widespread violence and disorder that broke out in Hull city centre in August.

One of the teenagers was among the troublemakers who targeted and burgled the Lush and 02 stores during the 12 hours of mob violence that left a trail of destruction and damage. They both handled stolen shoes that had been taken from the nearby Shoezone shop after a break-in there, Hull Crown Court heard.

Elizabete Zvirgzdina, 18, of Westbrook Road, Gilberdyke, admitted burglary at the Lush store in Jameson Street, Hull, involving entering the shop as a trespasser and stealing “multiple products” of an unknown value, on August 3. She also admitted burglary with intent to steal at the 02 store, also in Jameson Street.

Zvirgzdina and the other defendant, Lucy Houghton, 19, of Constable Street, off Hessle Road, Hull, both admitted handling stolen goods by dishonestly undertaking or assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or selling of stolen shoes, of an unknown value, from Shoezone on the same day.

The court heard that shoes, which had been taken from the raided store, in Jameson Street, were put on the pavement outside the shop and both Zvirgzdina and Houghton picked them up and stole them.

Zvirgzdina also admitted a separate offence of possessing cannabis on August 5.

The two teenagers appeared before the court for sentence after pleading guilty to the offences at earlier hearings before a deputy district judge at Hull Magistrates’ Court.

Their cases were adjourned because there were no pre-sentence reports on either of the women. Their barristers both asked for reports to be ordered so that the probation service could provide further details on the background to the women’s involvement in the offences.

They were both on bail for their appearances in court and this was extended until the next hearing. Judge Mark Bury told them that all sentencing options would be available to the court next time, when a decision would be made on whether a custodial sentence would be imposed. Mitigating factors would be considered at the next hearing.

Both women had previously appeared before Hull Magistrates’ Court on November 11, when they had been allowed unconditional bail.

Hull Daily Mail

Man says ‘love ya’ as he’s jailed for what he did in Pret A Manger

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November 27, 2024
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Adam Harvey thanked the judge before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters

A man emptied the contents of a fire extinguisher over customers at Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee in Liverpool ONE. Adam Harvey was identified by police from the “distinctive” tattoos on his neck after embarking upon a rampage of violence across Liverpool city centre.

The thug also launched a can at an officer’s head and hurled a brick at a van before breaking into a phone shop. He now says he “got carried away” after widespread disturbances erupted following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar in Southport.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that Harvey was involved in the incident of “mass disorder” in central Liverpool on August 3 this year. The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was first seen on camera at around 3pm on the day in question, being identified in footage via the “distinctive tattoos on either side of his neck” by a PC with whom he had had previous dealings.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, described how he thereafter launched a can of beer after forming part of a crowd around 300 people near to the Liver Building, with this missile striking a police officer in the head. PC Rachel Judge, who was not wearing a protective helmet at this stage, was also hit by a second object thrown by a second person and rendered unconscious.

Harvey was later seen throwing another object as he crossed the Strand and chucking a brick at a police carrier van as an officer was driving the vehicle away. As he subsequently made his way through Liverpool ONE with a group of other men shortly, he was shown on CCTV letting off a fire extinguisher over customers who were sitting outside Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee on Paradise Street.

He was then part of a mob who looted iFix phone repair shop on Church Street, being shown in one clip reaching underneath shutters at the storefront and helping himself to a box before throwing the item back inside the premises after realising that it was empty. Harvey was subsequently arrested November 20 and made no comment to detectives when interviewed.

His criminal record shows a total of 34 convictions for 51 offences – including assaulting a police officer and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour in 2004, shoplifting in 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2013, criminal damage in 2012, a public order offence in 2018 and affray and theft in 2021.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “There are personal circumstances which do not in truth mitigate that which he did, but perhaps give some understanding of how he found himself in this position and got carried away with what was going on.

“Historically, he has had a problem with drink. During the course of the last two years, he has done a lot to try to alleviate that problem from his life with some relative success.

“He received bad family news in the spring regarding an illness that his father has, which is a serious illness. As a consequence of that, he fell back into his old ways and started drinking again.

“On the day in question, while not being involved in the planning of the disorder that took place in the city centre, he was in Liverpool with friends and he was participating in drink. When this disorder struck up, he got himself involved.”

Harvey admitted violent disorder, burglary and assaulting an emergency services worker. Appearing in the dock wearing a prison issue jumper, he was jailed for 34 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “This case stems from events in the summer following the killing of three children in Southport. There was, the following day, mob violence on a significant scale which itself spawned copycat mob violence in other locations across the country.

“This all had a far reaching impact on the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder – including causing damage and fear to communities, taking part in looting of shops and causing injury to police officers – will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Harvey replied “thank you judge” before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters. He then gave a thumbs up as he was led to the cells and added: “Love yas.”

Liverpool Echo

Man who used 3D printer to make gun part locked up

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November 27, 2024
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A teenager has been locked up for making a gun part using a 3D printer.

Owain Roberts, 19, of St Michael’s Street in Newport, was part of a messaging group called domestic terrorism and shared anti-Semitic messages online, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Roberts was 17 when the offence took place but messages up to March 2024 suggested he was intending to finish the firearm.

Roberts pleaded guilty to manufacturing a component part for a weapon – a frame for a FGC9 semi automatic pistol – and was sentenced to four years and nine months in a young offenders institution.

Police also found gas masks, body armour and night vision goggles in his bedroom in Newport which had a poster of JStark on the wall, the man who made the first printed firearm.

The frame Roberts printed forms the outside of the gun which hold other parts.

A FGC9 is a 3D printed weapon which the court heard was “deliberately designed to circumvent firearms laws through the use of non-regulated parts.”

Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, told the court police searched Roberts’ home in April after he became the focus of an investigation by serious organised crime officers.

At his father’s home in Newport, officers seized a 3D printer, a frame for a FGC9, steel barrels and a magazine for a gun – the part which stores and feeds ammunition.

Roberts exchanged messages on a site called Discord used by gamers with the profile name Strelok which the court was told meant “gun slinger” in Russian.

The court was read some of the messages which included references to Adolf Hitler and indicated he wanted to hurt Jewish people and Muslims.

A second search of Roberts’ bedroom uncovered bullets, knives, target posters and an American revolutionary flag known as the Gadsden flag, with the words ‘Don’t tread on me’,

This type of flag was seen in the US Capitol Riots in 2021.

A firearms expert told the court that the gun was “reliable and lethal”.

The court heard that Roberts had undertaken basic military training in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and marksmanship had been an element of his training before he dropped out after five months.

During police interviews, Roberts described the messages sent as “lads’ banter”, describing the name of the group domestic terrorism as a “dark joke and in bad taste”.

He claimed he only planned to use the gun for display and used the night vision goggle “to look at the stars”.

Defending, Peter Donnison said Roberts was a self-described “nerd” with an interest in puzzles and the mechanical working of objects.

He said Roberts was “genuinely remorseful” and ashamed of his conduct, particularly the comments he made online.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said she took into account Roberts’ age and immaturity but said his views and interest in military activity was relevant.

Roberts will serve half of his sentence in custody before being considered for release.

BBC News

Three people sentenced for violent disorder in Merseyside

By
November 27, 2024
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Three people were sentenced yesterday, Tuesday 26 November, for their role in violent disorder in Merseyside.

The three offenders appeared in court after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that on Saturday 3 August, 25-year-old Keelan Woodhead travelled from Telford to attend the disorder in Liverpool city centre and on County Road, Walton where he received an injury to his hand which required medical treatment. He disclosed to hospital staff that he had thrown bricks at police which resulted in his hand injury. Woodhead was also identified as throwing an item at a police vehicle and he was arrested the next day, Sunday 4 August.

Woodhead, of Tilia Green in Telford, pleaded guilty and was jailed for one year and five months in prison.

Christopher Dean of Byfleet Close in Wigan pleaded guilty for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July.

Dean was one of the first to throw items towards the officers, including a wheelie bin directly at them. The court heard that he also participated in racial chanting.

The 35-year-old was jailed for two years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

A 14-year-old girl from Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty for her role in violent disorder and theft on County Road, Walton on Saturday 3 August.

Liverpool Youth Court heard that she threw missiles towards officers and was part of a group who attacked a police vehicle and a lone officer. The group then went into a Go Local store on Delamore Street and she stole a pack of soft drinks. In addition, while a cash register was thrown on the floor by group member, she then stole money from the till before fleeing.

Yesterday the teenage offender received a 12-month referral order and fined £200 compensation.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This latest sentencing yesterday showed that the three offenders played an active part in the shocking scenes of violent disorder we all witnessed in Southport and Liverpool.

“We continue to remain steadfast in our investigation to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside by reviewing more than 12,000 pieces of footage, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

An investigation into the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool is ongoing. The total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 151, with 110 charged and 84 sentenced to a combined 176 years.

We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Merseyside Police

Rioter threw rocks at police during Middlesbrough protest

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November 26, 2024
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A rioter who threw rocks and stones at police as they attempted to control angry protesters has been locked up for his behaviour.

Connor Stokes was at the forefront of the violent disorder that swept through Middlesbrough town centre in the summer and his actions were caught on camera as the protest descended into violence.

The 27-year-old was spotted hiding behind a wall before launching a barrage of missiles towards the police lines, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said: “He was distinctive because he was wearing a grey tracksuit and black face covering and was observed throughout the day – he was deemed to be one of the main participants of the disorder.

“He was observed throwing bricks at police lines. The defendant hid behind a wall, he then came from behind the wall and threw several objects in the direction of the police.”

An officer was forced to move out of the way of his missiles and he was caught on camera throwing rocks at a passing police van, the court heard.

Stokes, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following his behaviour on August 4 this year.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had very little memory of what he did on the day as he was so intoxicated but had taken advantage of the time he had spent in custody to carry out a number of courses.

He added: “He is working with the drug and alcohol team in prison, he has had a problem with cocaine and has been doing relapse prevention work. He has also been working with the mental health team.

“He realises that the only sentence the court can impose is a custodial one and he is very ashamed of his actions.”

Judge Richard Clews sentenced Stokes to two years and nine months in custody for his role in the disorder.

He said: “You were wearing some sort of facial disguise at the time which suggests to me that you had intended to involve yourself in disorder and you didn’t want to be recognised.

“The police described you as one of the main participants throwing objects to the police lines and you were seen to hide behind a wall before throwing several rocks towards the officers.”

Northern Echo

Masked dad, 41, at ‘forefront’ of Hanley riots served in Iraq

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November 26, 2024
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Now Lee Whitby has been jailed

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.

Now Whitby – who has 42 previous offences on his record – has been jailed for 26 months after admitting violent disorder. Tours of Kosovo and Iraq have left him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said: “Mr Whitby was very much at the forefront of the police line, wearing a balaclava or face mask. He can be seen taking out his phone and shouting at police officers before sustaining an injury to his hand and then he gets a plaster for it.

“Video footage from Town Road shows Mr Whitby was there again at the front of the police line causing issues and he is present when missiles and fireworks are thrown. He can also be seen picking something up and throwing it in the direction of the mosque and the mosque car park. Mr Whitby is also seen pushing with others against the police line in Shelton, and further footage by the library shows him standing directly in front of a police carrier preventing it from moving and he is spoken to by a police officer.”

The court heard Whitby, of Newpool Terrace, Brown Lees, had not been in trouble since 2012.

Catherine O’Reilly, mitigating, said: “It is clear Lee Whitby is incredibly remorseful and ashamed at being sentenced for an offence that is completely out of character. His focus has been on his family and work. Mr Whitby is a family man. His partner sits in court and he has a young daughter and son from a previous relationship. He is not the kind of man out on the weekends causing trouble. He wants to remain in employment and then go home to his family. He is a fabricator for a well-established company for a number of years, hopefully he will return to the trade.

“Mr Whitby takes full responsibility for his actions that day. He misplaced his sense of loyalty to his friends who were participating in the riots that day. There is no suggestion of Mr Whitby chanting anything of racial motivations and he says he is not racially motivated.

“He has served this country for a number of years, previously in Iraq and Kosovo, and he has PTSD from this, but he returned to employment in civilian life. He’s let himself down badly but his family more. This is a snapshot of a man who behaved completely out of character and he is hopeful to return to work and to his family as soon as possible.”

Judge Graeme Smith told Whitby: “You were in four locations shouting and disrupting, throwing missiles, and wearing a balaclava. You have shown genuine remorse in mitigation and you say it was out of character. It is regrettable having served the country and then acting in this way that it has impacted your family.”

Stoke Sentinel

Dad misses Stoke City game to hurl missiles near Hanley mosque – now he’s jailed

By
November 26, 2024
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Dominic Cartwright has been locked up

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. Now Cartwright, of Shawport Avenue, Bradwell, has been jailed for 28 months after admitting violent disorder.

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said: “On the video footage he shouts and eggs on the other side of the protest to have a fight. He is present when the crowd shouts ‘You’re all protecting nonces’. There were a number of people sitting in the road obstructing vehicles and Mr Cartwright was one of them. Some footage shows Mr Cartwright in the area of the mosque and he is seen to be throwing missiles. He picks up and throws something from the road and throws another item as he walks off with other protesters and is then ushered away from that area. He is captured on other footage causing issues for police. When a protester pushed back Mr Cartwright demonstrated and goaded for a fight.”

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Cartwright has 34 offences on his criminal record. But he had never been behind bars – until now.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said: “Mr Cartwright is disgusted, ashamed, and embarrassed by his offences on August 3. This has been the worst experience of his life.

“He has spent time in custody wisely and he has received an enhanced status eminently. There are letters from his mum, his son, his ex-partner who is the mother of his child, his friends, his little brother, his sisters, an offer of employment, and from his landlord. The fact they have all put pen to paper shows high regard for Mr Cartwright.

“On August 3 Mr Cartwright had finished working a night shift, so he went to Wetherspoons in Hanley to meet friends. The plan was to watch the Stoke City match but he was told by a police liaison officer that something was happening in Hanley so he decided to stay around.

“He accepts he was highly intoxicated and knows this is an aggravating feature, but the reason for his drinking was because in March he lost his grandmother and after years assisting his grandmother he couldn’t cope with that because he was not there when she passed away and he carries guilt. He is having bereavement therapy and has been drinking as a result of this.

“On the day in question Mr Cartwright really didn’t want to be on this earth anymore, and he was so drunk he didn’t know what he was doing. His position now whilst in custody is completely different; he’s sober, he is engaging with prison authorities offering programmes, and he is going to apply to a different prison because Dovegate doesn’t offer the courses he’d like to do, such as construction work.

“He is adamant that on his release he will never trouble the justice system again. He has shown he can be a law-abiding member of society and he will continue to do so, and he will continue being a good father to his son, and a good son to his parents.”

Judge Graeme Smith accepted Cartwright ‘has shown remorse’.

He added: “This has had a significant impact on your family, you have taken positive steps in custody, and you had grief for your grandmother. I sentence you to 28 months imprisonment.”

Stoke Sentinel

Teenager spared jail after shouting ‘vile’ abuse at Muslims on top of phone box

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November 26, 2024
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Ritchings was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years over his ‘grossly unpleasant’ behaviour on August 4.

An 18-year-old man has been spared jail after he spoke about burning down a mosque in an online video and shouted “utterly vile” abuse from the top of a phone box during the summer riots.

Max Ritchings, now 19, posted an Instagram story with a backdrop of news footage of the unrest on August 4, saying: “One more mosque, one more f****** mosque in the area, I will burn the f****** thing down.”

Later that evening, he stood on a phone box near Brighton Pier during Pride weekend wearing a St George’s flag shouting abuse about Muslims and that foreigners should leave the country.

Ritchings had pleaded guilty to offences of inciting violence online and causing religiously aggravated harassment at Lewes Crown Court on September 11.

Defending, Nicholas Hamblin, told the same court on Tuesday that Ritchings has made “substantial changes” in his life in a short period of time since the “grossly unpleasant misguided behaviour”, and was seeking help from a number of organisations.

The court also heard Ritchings recognised that he became “obsessed” with online personalities.

Mr Hamblin added that he was somebody easy to indoctrinate who became involved but has now “clearly detached himself”.

Sentencing him, Judge Christine Laing KC said: “It has to be viewed against the background of unrest … taking place (around) the country at that time and this was your contribution.”

“One of those weighted numbers bringing fear to the streets of the United Kingdom at that time.”

But the judge acknowledged that while he committed “very serious and troubling offences”, Ritchings showed self-reflection and was keen to understand his own mental health difficulties.

Ritchings, of Haywards Heath, West Sussex, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work in the community and 18 sessions of rehabilitation activity.

Evening Standard

Rioter who lit fire in hotel car park during mob violence jailed for six years

By
November 26, 2024
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Scott Greenwood admitted setting light to a generator outside a hotel housing more than 200 asylum seekers during rioting in Rotherham in August.



A rioter who set fire to a generator as a mob besieged a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for six years.

Scott Greenwood, 34, was filmed throwing wood on the fire during the disorder at the Holiday Inn Express at Manvers, near Rotherham, on August 4, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC described how Greenwood was part of a group that set fire to items around a disused generator and then fed the blaze with fencing smashed down from nearby gardens.

Judge Richardson said the fire was not as serious as another blaze started earlier that afternoon outside the fire door of the hotel, but the “vigorous” blaze still posed a serious danger to police and to residents in the houses behind the generator.

The court heard that Greenwood was later spotted at the forefront of a mob taunting a line of riot police and stoked a grass fire which had been lit to create a smoke hazard for the officers.

The judge heard that the defendant was easily identified when he took off his shirt and tied it round his face and also because of a distinctive St George’s flag bucket hat he was wearing.

Judge Richardson said the hat gave the lie to the defendant’s claims that he had no racist intent when he attended the disorder at the hotel.

He told Greenwood: “I’m entirely satisfied you went to the area of the hotel with a view to participating in racist mob violence.

“You took a hat and wore that hat which undoubtedly had racist connotations.”

The judge added: “From first to last, the venom of racism infected the entirety of what occurred.

“It’s a very sad state of affairs that that flag, and on occasions the Union flag, has been appropriated by racists such as you.

“Immigration is a legitimate matter for public and political debate. Public protest is a legitimate form of public expression.

“We live in a democratic country where public debate and freedom of expression are entirely acceptable.

“What took place in Rotherham that day had nothing whatsoever to do with legitimate public protest. It was a desire to perpetrate mob rule.”

Judge Richardson ruled that Greenwood, who has had 44 previous court appearances covering 103 separate offences, is “dangerous” and would therefore be subject to an extended sentence.

He said this meant a six-year prison term followed by an extended licence period of three years.

Greenwood, of Tingle Bridge Lane, Hemingfield, South Yorkshire, admitted violent disorder and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered at a previous hearing.

He stood in the glass-fronted dock as he was sentenced flanked by a security guard.

Judge Richardson told him: “You are a dangerous offender. History could repeat itself.”

Greenwood is the latest of more than 70 men who have been jailed after the rioting at the hotel.

The court heard that the 240 residents were trapped on the upper floors of the building as rioters broke in and started a fire in a bin at one of the exits, filling the hotel with smoke.

Staff have described how they barricaded themselves into a safe room, fearing they would die.

More than 60 police officers were injured in the disorder, the court heard.

Irish Times

Man jailed for 54 months after police officer’s nose broken during violent disorder in Southport

By
November 26, 2024
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A man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after a police officer’s nose was broken during violent disorder in Southport.

Sean Beech, 55, of Len Cox Walk, Manchester, was captured on CCTV during the disorder in Southport on 30 July.

Beech was seen to grab hold of the office’s baton, which hit the officer in the face, breaking his nose.

Beech then threw the baton towards a line of officers and pushed and attempted to trip over another police officer.

He was sentenced on Friday (22 November) to a total of 54 months in prison – 40 months for Violent Disorder, 14 months to run consecutively for s20 assault and 3 months to run concurrently for assaulting an emergency worker.

It is the longest prison sentence to date for anyone convicted of being involved in the violent disorder in Southport.

It brings the total number of arrests to 151 with 107 people charged and 82 sentenced to a total of 172 years and seven months.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This was a shocking attack on a police officer which resulted in him suffering a broken nose.

“It is right that Beech should be brought to justice for his actions and receive a significant prison sentence.

“We will continue to put those responsible before the courts and would encourage anyone with information to keep coming forward.”

Merseyside Police