Far-right extremist jailed for terrorist offences

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October 24, 2024
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A far-right extremist has been jailed for 12 years after posting videos of an extreme right-wing nature on social media.

Gabriel Budasz, 24, of Drove Road in Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday.

He had been found guilty of terror offences, after police seized books, masks and memorabilia of an extreme right-wing nature, as well as a 3D-printed firearm from his home in August 2023.

Judge Forster told the defendant: “You have no interest as to how your actions could have affected others.”

Prosecutors seized Budasz’s mobile and computer devices and found he used a number of social media sites under different usernames to post extreme right-wing material.

The court heard Budasz was living in supported accommodation, where he made videos that were broadcast on social media.

He dressed in robes and a mask to disguise his true identity and used props to encourage violence, including a 3D-printed plastic handgun made in his bedroom, the court was told.

The prosecutor Maryam Syed told the court today he was emulating Brenton Tarrant, who carried out mass shootings at mosques in New Zealand in 2019.
‘Lacks empathy’

His defence Tim Forte told Judge Forster that Budasz has a severe developmental disorder making him less mature than other men of his age.

He added that he only had 44 followers on social media, which was “not a large audience”.

The defence told the court that Budasz never left his accommodation with the 3D printed handgun.

He had educational difficulties growing up, leading to foster care.

“He lacks empathy, which speaks as to why he is here,” Mr Forte added.

However, Judge Forster said there was “no direct connection” between Budasz’s mental disorder and his offending, citing two expert witnesses who determined Budasz was “able to form an intent”.

Judge Forster told the defendant: “Your lack of insight is underlined by your description of your trial as being a ‘comedy show’, and your inability to understand the verdicts reached by the jury.”

Budasz was sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by three years under licence.

BBC News

Man admits stoking bin fire at asylum hotel riot

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October 24, 2024
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A man has admitted to trying set a hotel on fire where more than 200 asylum seekers were staying, a court heard.

Levi Fishlock stoked and threw a flaming bin at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, during a spate of disorder on 4 August.

He initially denied violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life but pleaded guilty to the charges at Sheffield Crown Court earlier.

Fishlock, 31, of Sheffield Road, Barnsley, will be sentenced on 11 December and was remanded into custody by Judge Peter Hampton.

Previous hearings heard how Fishlock had been part of a group who pushed a burning bin against the hotel and stoked the fire.

More than 60 men have so far been jailed for their parts in the disorder outside the hotel, which left 64 police officers injured, as well as four dogs and a horse.

Sheffield Crown Court has heard how more than 200 asylum seekers were trapped in the upper floors as rioters smashed windows and set light to the bin.

Hotel staff have told the court how they barricaded themselves into a panic room during the rioting, fearing they would die as they smelt the smoke.

At the same court, another man admitted driving to the hotel in a pick-up truck laden with debris for rioters to hurl at police.

Jake Turton was filmed arriving at the scene in a Ford Ranger with wood and other scrap items on the back.

Rioters then used the wood to throw at officers and to fuel fires around the hotel that were blocking asylum seekers and staff inside.

Turton, 38, of Darfield, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will be sentenced on 6 November.

Turton’s defence barrister said the rioters “helped themselves” to the wood and that the defendant did not actively participate in the violence.

However, Judge Sarah Wright said a custodial sentence was “inevitable”.

Turton denied another charge of taking a vehicle without consent and was found not guilty.

He was also remanded into custody.

BBC News

Man admits rioting during city’s night of violence

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October 24, 2024
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A man has admitted rioting during a night of violence and attacks on police.

Liam Doeg was part of a mob in Sunderland that wreaked havoc on 2 August after an anti-immigration protest turned violent.

The 33-year-old, of Poplar House, previously admitted violent disorder and burglary but, appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, he pleaded guilty to the more serious offence of rioting.

He was remanded into custody at HMP Durham to be sentenced on 4 November.

BBC News

See who has been before the courts – published October 15 2019

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October 23, 2024
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MICHAEL GOTT, also known as SKIN-VESP HEAD, aged 45, of South Avenue, Sherborne.

Admitted without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had with him in a public place, namely West End Community Club, Sherborne, an offensive weapon, namely a knuckleduster.

Committed to prison for 4 weeks consecutive to offence number 4.

Weapon to be forfeited and destroyed.

Admitted committing a further offence during the operational period of a suspended sentence order. It is ordered that the suspended sentence be activated in full.

For original offence of assault by beating at Weymouth, suspended sentence of imprisonment of 20 weeks suspended for 12 months implemented concurrent.

For original offence of assault by beating at Weymouth, suspended sentence of imprisonment of 26 weeks suspended for 12 months implemented. The overall length of sentence is 30 weeks.

Dorset Echo

EX National Front supporter who is active in the recent demos around the south coast

Man who threw a bin at officers among thugs jailed for Rotherham disorder

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October 22, 2024
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Three men have been jailed after being part of the large-scale scenes of deplorable violence at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Manvers, Rotherham, on Sunday 4 August.

Gareth Lunn will have time to reflect on his abhorrent behaviour after he was jailed for violent disorder. Lunn, of Billingley View, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Barnsley, was captured on body-worn video swinging a bin at an officer, before picking up missiles and tossing them at the police cordon.

The 41-year-old’s despicable actions didn’t stop there as he was recorded in a group damaging windows at the front of the hotel, as well as seen throwing a shopping trolley at officers.

Lunn pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on 28 August. Yesterday (21 October) at Sheffield Crown Court, he was jailed for three years.

Michael Woods was recorded on body-worn video hurling abuse at officers, threatening that a nearby dog would ‘get’ an officer. The 64-year-old was seen aggressively shouting in officers’ faces.

Woods, of Ainsdale Avenue, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, handed himself into a police station after an image of him at the disorder was circulated in a media appeal. Remorseless, Woods denied any wrongdoing and when charged with violent disorder he retorted ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.

Despite his refusal to accept he had done anything wrong, Woods pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 19 August. He was jailed for two years.

Also present at the disorder was 24-year-old Scott Kendall who was seen launching missiles towards the lines of officers protecting the hotel and its occupants.

Kendall, of Sandymount Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, was identified after multiple members of the public recognised him in a police media appeal.

When questioned by officers, Kendall answered no comment. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 24 August. Appearing on the same day at the same court as Lunn, Kendall was sentenced to two years in prison.

South Yorkshire Police

Man jailed over ‘disgraceful’ Blackpool disorder

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October 22, 2024
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A man has been jailed for his role in the “disgraceful” disorder in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings.

A group of nearly 1,000 people were involved in unrest in Blackpool on 3 August, Lancashire Police said, with reports of widespread looting in Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Shane Taaffe Rhodes, of Lindale Gardens, Blackpool, was involved in disorder on the Promenade and later joined in an attack on JD Sports in the shopping centre, police said.

The 20-year-old, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing, was jailed at Preston Crown Court for 27 months.

Taaffe Rhodes was seen attempting to conceal his identity during the disorder by putting a face covering over the lower part of his face, police said.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davies said: “Taaffe Rhodes chose to play a part in the disgraceful scenes in Blackpool, and I welcome the custodial sentence passed on him.

“Violent disorder will not be tolerated in our county and we will bring those who take part in it to justice.

“Several people have been sent to prison for the disorder in Blackpool on 3 August, and more will be brought before the courts in the coming weeks and months.”

BBC News

Woman spared jail after assaulting officer in riots

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October 22, 2024
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A 21-year-old woman, who assaulted a police officer during disorder in Southport earlier this year, has been spared a jail sentence due to “exceptional mitigation”.

Ellie Clarke cried as she was given a 20-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, for her part in a riot which erupted outside a mosque in Southport on 30 July.

Disorder broke out in the Merseyside seaside town a day after three girls were killed, and 10 more injured, in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.

Large crowds fought with police officers outside a mosque in Southport, with additional damage and disorder taking place in Liverpool and across the country.

Speaking on Tuesday, Andrew Menary KC, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, told Liverpool Crown Court Clarke had already paid a “significant price” for what she did that night, having been remanded in custody for seven weeks.

He said: “The footage shows you, for a time, standing amongst the crowd of people behaving like animals, shouting vile abuse at police officers and directing appalling racist chants at the nearby mosque.

“You understand how seriously your behaviour is to be regarded, as do others who have been dealt with by this court”.

Rehabilitation

Clarke pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court to violent disorder, assaulting an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public disorder offence.

She was seen to strike an officer’s riot shield, an earlier hearing was told.

Daniel Travers, defending, said a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report had been prepared, and Clarke had written a letter to the judge which showed “genuine remorse”.

He said: “Clearly, this is a young lady who has, on numerous occasions in her relatively short life, suffered traumatic events, and has clearly got a number of issues that she needs to resolve.”

The defendant, wearing a pink cardigan, wiped her eyes with a tissue after she was sentenced.

Judge Menary said the court had dealt with about 70 people involved in the disorder this summer, and only one other defendant had not been given an immediate prison sentence.

He said the reports had led him to make an exception in Clarke’s case.

But he added: “This case must not be reported as simply you being a female and not going to prison.

“I promise you this, you would have gone to prison but for the very substantial personal mitigation available to you.

“It is only because of the exceptional mitigation that is present in this case.”

Clarke, of Chestnut Street, Southport, was ordered to carry out 40 days of rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.

BBC News

Two more thugs admit roles in sickening attack on black man amid Piccadilly Gardens violence – as two others, including 13-year-old boy, plead guilty following disorder

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October 22, 2024
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A string of men and boys have been hauled to Manchester Magistrates’ Court this week, with 16 so far admitting their crimes following the ugly scenes in Manchester city centre; disorder outside a hotel in Newton Heath; and trouble in Bolton. More defendants appeared before District Judge Lucy Hogarth today.

Two more thugs have admitted their involvement in a sickening mob attack on a black man during violent scenes in Piccadilly Gardens after ‘protesters’ flooded into Manchester city centre. A teenager has also pleaded guilty to violent disorder having being accused of confronting cops trying to control crowds, breaking through a barrier and snatching beer from someone leaving a Sainsbury’s store.

There was large-scale disruption in the city centre last Saturday (August 3) following a demonstration dubbed ‘Enough is Enough’. Counter-protesters also gathered as tensions flared.

A string of men and boys have been hauled to Manchester Magistrates’ Court this week, with 16 so far admitting their crimes following the ugly scenes in the city centre; disorder outside a hotel in Newton Heath; and trouble in Bolton. More defendants appeared before District Judge Lucy Hogarth today (Saturday, August 10).

Two men – Kane Kelly, 23, of Woodford Road, Failsworth, Oldham; and Daniel Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire – will be behind bars tonight having been remanded into custody after admitting their guilt in relation to the attack on a lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens by dozens of thugs.

Earlier this week, other men admitted their role in the sickening assault – including Liam Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Bradford; Joseph Ley, 30, of Hollywood Towers, Stockport; Colin Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight, Manchester; and Anthony Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton, Tameside.

As Kelly and Hanslip appeared in court, prosecutor Karen Saffman said members of the mob shouted ‘kill him’ and ‘stamp on his f*****g face’. District Judge Hogarth described the incident as a ‘racially aggravated assault’.

Ms Saffman described the violent scenes, which were caught on camera, saying: “It’s a group assault on a lone, black male. The group is heard saying, ‘kill him… stamp on his f*****g face’. The male is then dragged away and then falls to the ground.”

The court heard Hanslip was seen throwing security fencing before joining a ‘melee’ alongside Kelly. Kelly appeared to join the ‘group assault’, the court heard. Ms Saffman said the two men were identified in footage from the incident, some of which has been published on YouTube. She described the clip as ‘disturbing’.

Both men will be sentenced at the Crown court on August 16. Addressing Kelly, District Judge Hogarth said: “This is a racially aggravated group assault in broad daylight in full view of the police and it’s well out of the sentencing powers of this court.”

No application for bail was made for Kelly, who has no previous convictions. His family members were in the courtroom when the judge ruled he would be remanded into custody.

Hanslip was also remanded into custody after his application for bail was rejected. Michelle Man, defending, told the court he has no previous convictions, has a well-paid job and lives with his partner, who was in court and was due to go on holiday with him this week.

Teenager Aaron Davy pleaded guilty for his part in the violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens. The 18-year-old’s birthday was days ater the incident on Saturday (August 3), which he was accused of being ‘heavily involved’ in.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard Davy, of Liney Road, Cheadle, Stockport, was part of a large, chanting group who confronted police. Davy, who was wearing a mask, was pushed back from the police line and later broke through a metal barrier to get closer to counter-protesters.

He was then seen with a man snatching a pack of beer from someone leaving a nearby branch of Sainsbury’s. Karen Saffman, prosecuting, told the court, adding: “He was an active part on this day. He wasn’t just a by-stander – he wasn’t just observing.”

Davy was granted bail after the court heard he tried to kill himself last year. Claire Parrott, defending, said: “In reality this is a very, very frightened young man.” Ms Parrott told the court Davy’s family, who were watching the hearing from the public gallery, were concerned about an older ‘friend’ who took the teenager out that day, but said that the teenager went there ‘on his own volition’ and realises the ‘enormity of the situation’.

She added: “He states that he would never put himself in this situation again.” DJ Hogarth granted bail with conditions that require him to live and sleep at his home address with an electronic tag, ensuring he remains indoors between 7pm and 7am.

Davy must also not gather in a group of more than two without an adult family member there. The judge warned Davy he may be arrested if he breaches any of these conditions and put in a cell overnight. She also told the teenager that he may receive a custodial sentence.

Explaining her decision to grant bail to Davy, DJ Hogarth said: “What I’m about to say now makes no promises about how the Crown Court deals with you. This is very serious conduct that has made communities feel frightened and has made the police’s job more difficult.”

Davy will be sentenced by the Crown Court on Friday, August 16.

On Saturday, a 13-year-old boy was the latest child to appear before DJ Hogarth. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was caught throwing missiles at police outside the hotel – thought to be housing asylum seekers – in Newton Heath. His mum watched from the public gallery.

The court heard he was ‘caught up’ in the violent scenes as the ‘hostile’ and ‘aggressive’ crowd gathered on July 31. The crowd threw glass bottles, bricks and eggs at cops.

Prosecuting, Karen Saffman said: “[The boy] was seen throwing missiles at police and the hostel. He was also seen with a group of youths hitting and kicking a bus with the bus driver and members of the public on that bus.”

Ms Saffman read a statement written by a bus driver who was attacked by the mob. He wrote: “The incident has left me very stressed. It’s made me scared to deal with members of the public because I would never have expected to experience this when I started my shift at the beginning of the day.”

DJ Hogarth told the boy she would adjourn the case and request a report from the youth offending service. He was granted bail with conditions that he lives and sleeps at his home address every night; does leave the property between 7pm and 7am; and does not meet in groups of more than two people without an adult family member present.

Addressing the defendant, DJ Hogarth said: “Very serious things have been happening around you and you joined in. We need to look at how serious that was and what we’re going to do about it.”

The case was adjourned until a hearing on September 17. The boy’s mum was heard saying: “Thank you, thank you so much.”

Others to appear in court on Saturday were:

Anthony Whitelegg, 40, of Mulberry Close, Heald Green, Stockport: Charged with violent disorder in relation to the Piccadilly Gardens incident on August 3. No plea indicated. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 16

Darren Butler, 41, of Cattlin Way, Oldham: Charged with violent disorder following the incident in Newton Heath on July 31. No plea indicated. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 13

David Whittaker, 36, of Farnborough Road, Miles Platting, Manchester: Charged with violent disorder in relation to the Newton Heath incident on July 31. Not guilty plea. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 13

Colin Brown, 37, of Moorcroft Road, Manchester: Charged with violent disorder in relation to Piccadilly Gardens disorder; and robbery. He is alleged to have stolen a woman’s scarf. No pleas entered. Remanded into custody head of Crown court hearing on September 13

Manchester Evening News

Extreme right-wing teenager sentenced for terrorism and assault offences

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October 21, 2024
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A self-confessed ‘racist and fascist’ teenager who pleaded guilty to terrorism and assault offences has been sentenced to ten years and four months at Winchester Crown Court today.

Alex Hutton, 19, who held extreme racist, transphobic and homophobic views attacked a transgender woman using mixed martial arts moves that left the victim hospitalised and with the imprint of his trainer on her face.

Hutton was subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order restricting his use of the internet and mobile phones after previous convictions for possessing terrorist documents and publishing statements that encouraged terrorism.

Police used their powers under the Criminal Behaviour Order to investigate his phone use and found he had distributed a litany of extreme videos, which encouraged and glorified acts of terrorism. These included references to ‘cleansing London’ of non-whites and Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, homophobic and transphobic messages. He also shared Nazi extremism and racist videos from the Ku Klux Klan, and bragged about planning terrorist attacks.

He shared messages on Instagram and messaging app Telegram where he spoke of wanting to kill anybody who wasn’t white.

Bethan David, Head of Counter Terrorism Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Alex Hutton is not simply a fantasist that held extreme views, he is a dangerous young man.

“His unprovoked attack was driven by hate and he poses a substantial risk to other groups and society as a whole.

“He celebrated terrorist acts of white supremacy and encouraged his friends and associates on various social media and messaging platforms to join him in his extreme and disturbing views.

“The CPS will always prosecute those who encourage acts of terrorism and hate to protect the public.”

Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Williams, Head of Investigations at Counter Terrorism Policing Wales, said: “We welcome the outcome of this case. Alex Hutton, motivated by hate, engaged in a horrendous and unprovoked attack on a defenceless young girl who was minding her own business one afternoon in a Swansea park in May 2023.

“There is no doubt that the attack will have lasting effects on this young person and I really hope today’s outcome provides her with some comfort.

“Furthermore, Hutton demonstrated a clear intention to spread his hatred across the internet encouraging acts of terrorism. Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing Wales uncovered his actions during a detailed investigation, which then led us to the assault that took place earlier in the year.

“I hope he now uses the time in custody to reflect on his actions, with a view to leading a far more productive life upon his eventual release.”

CPS

Nine in court for Nottingham rally offences

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October 21, 2024
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Nine people have appeared in court following their part in the unrest in the Nottingham City Centre on Saturday 3 August. They were among 20 people arrested for their conduct during the far-right rally and counter protest in the city.

Hearings have been taking place at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court in the weeks following the events in the centre of Nottingham.

Janine McKinney from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The arrests, charges, convictions and sentences we have seen over the last weeks make clear the consequences for those criminals on our streets and on social media. These individuals have paid the penalty that awaits anyone caught wreaking such havoc.

“We will continue to work at pace, alongside partners in the criminal justice system, to put anyone whose conduct has crossed the line into criminal behaviour before the courts to face the full consequences of their actions.”

Paul Dixon, 35, Tony Campion, 29, David Witney, 39, and Dominic Lane, 46, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court to face charges of using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke violence for their part in an escalation of hostility involving an Asian male victim. Dixon pleaded guilty on 15 August and Campion pleaded guilty at a hearing on 16 August. Both were sentenced to four months’ imprisonment. Witney pleaded guilty on 22 August and was given a three-month sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work, attend five days’ rehabilitation requirement, complete a six-month alcohol treatment programme and to engage with the probation service. Lane pleaded not guilty and will face trial in October. A fifth defendant, Keith Edwards, 81, was also charged in relation to this incident and will appear at the same court on 6 September.

Anthony Chadwick, 36, from Nottingham appeared on 22 August for using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke violence. Chadwick came to the protest drunk, shouted threats of violence to police officers and tried to hype up the people around him. He was fined £365.

Kevin Musgrave, 37, from West Hallam in Derbyshire appeared on 15 August for assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage. He tried to obstruct police officers from making an arrest when things threatened to boil over into violence. He pushed a police officer to the ground and spat in the police van and in his cell after he was arrested. He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, pleaded guilty and was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay £150 in compensation.

Joshua Witts, 36, from Long Eaton, appeared at Derby Magistrates’ Court on 20 August, pleading guilty to using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence. He will be sentenced on 27 August.

Owen Lawrence, 18, from Nottingham and Mervyn Lewis, 40, from Edwalton also appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 15 August and pleaded not guilty. Their cases were adjourned for trial later in the year.

These court appearances follow the conviction and sentencing of Victoria Gray on Monday 3 August.

CPS