Birmingham thug who attacked police officer with a glass during the Summer race riots is jailed

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October 17, 2024
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Adam Turner squared up to officers who had been sent to Solihull following reports that a group of masked men were heading to a local mosque from the area of The Greville Arms, on Cornyx Lane, Solihull

A man who attacked a police officer with a pint glass during the Summer race riots has been jailed. Police went to the Greville Arms, on Cornyx Lane, Solihull, on the evening of August 4, following reports that a gang of masked men were planning on travelling to a local mosque.

Adam Turner had been drinking outside the pub with 40 others when officers arrived. A cordon was put in place to stop people heading to the mosque.

Most returned inside the pub, but Turner hit one of the officers before throwing a pint glass, which smashed on his leg. Turner, aged 38, of Waterloo Road, Yardley, Birmingham, was yesterday (Wednesday) jailed for 16 months at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting affray, which happened at around 7.30pm on August 4.

Birmingham Mail

Paedophile ‘groomed’ his tiny victim

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October 17, 2024
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LIVERPOOL Crown Court heard last week how a paedophile ‘groomed’ a three-year-old girl for his pleasure and took indecent Polaroid photographs of her to send to other perverts.

Peter Coverdale’s behaviour came to light when police investigating a paedophile ring raided the home of a Merseyside man and found obscene photos and letters. They also discovered a list of 54 names and addresses, including Coverdale’s, on a computer file. Officers then raided his Wallasey home.

Jailing Coverdale for a total of six years and three months, Judge Sean Duncan said that his behaviour brought shame to himself and horror to everyone unfortunate enough to be involved with the case.

“You wallowed, almost glorified, in these disgusting acts . . . and sending letters describing them and further fanciful ideas in a torrent of filth.

“The worst feature is that it is clear that you groomed and trained her.”

Judge Duncan added that Coverdale, at whose home police found a rifle and ammunition, also had worrying interests in the occult, Ku Klux Klan, the National Front and martial arts.

Prosecuting counsel Henry Riding told the court that in obscene letters 30-year-old Coverdale wrote to someone called ‘Dee’, he used a cipher to try to avoid identification, wore rubber gloves so that he left no fingerprints and used water rather than saliva, which could be identified through DNA testing.

Coverdale was almost physically sick when police told him that ‘Dee’, whom he thought was a woman who might have sex with him, turned out to be a 53-year-old man.

Some of the letters detailed his behaviour with the little girl and added that the photos could be distributed to others.

Coverdale, who was married, denied that he was a paedophile because he was not exclusively interested in children but had written that he saw nothing wrong in using children for sex, said Mr Riding.

He told the court that the child had been left badly affected by Coverdale’s acts, had exhibited inappropriate behaviour and was now receiving counselling.

Coverdale, formerly of Palermo Close, pleaded guilty to eight offences involving indecent assault, indecency and taking and distributing indecent photos.

He also admitted four offences involving possessing a Lee Enfield 303 rifle, 48 rounds of ammunition for it and 66 rounds of .32 calibre ammunition, offences which came to light after Coverdale, who has no previous convictions, told police the gun was in his loft.

Defence counsel Mr Ashley Barnes said that Coverdale’s greatest mitigation was his guilty plea. He had stopped committing the offences some months before arrest as he began to realise the extent of the damage he was causing. He is genuinely remorseful.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

Wirral Globe

From 1999

Tory councillor’s wife jailed over asylum hotels racial hatred tweet

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October 17, 2024
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Lucy Connolly, 41, remained calm as she was jailed for 31 months on Thursday afternoon.

The wife of a Conservative councillor who used Twitter to stir up racial hatred against asylum seekers on the day of the Southport attacks has been jailed for 31 months.

Lucy Connolly, who is married to West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, posted a message on the evening of July 29 which read: “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care, while you’re at it take the treacherous government and politicians with them.

I feel physically sick knowing what these families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist so be it.”

Connolly, 41, remained calm as she appeared before Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday via a video-link to HMP Peterborough while her husband watched the proceedings from the public gallery which was packed with members of the media.

The Recorder of Birmingham Judge Melbourne Inman KC said Connolly was “well aware how volatile the situation was” when she posted the tweet, which was viewed 310,000 times in the three-and-a-half hours it was live before she deleted it.

He said: “As everyone is aware, that volatility led to serious disorder in a number of areas of the country where mindless violence was used to cause injury and damage to wholly innocent members of the public and to their properties.”

The judge added that Connolly had encouraged activity which threatened or endangered life.

The sentencing hearing was told the former childminder sent a WhatsApp message on August 5 joking that the tweet to her 10,000 followers had “bit me on the arse, lol”.

She was arrested on August 6, by which point she had deleted her social media account, but other messages which included further racist remarks were uncovered by officers who seized her phone.

Opening the case, prosecutor Naeem Valli said Connolly, who has no previous convictions, also sent another tweet commenting on a sword attack which read: “I bet my house it was one of these boat invaders.”

Another post sent by Connolly – commenting on a video posted by Tommy Robinson – read “Somalian I guess” and was accompanied by a vomiting emoji.

In response to a tweet which said Islamophobia had “no place in society”, Connolly responded: “F*** you, it’s not even a word.”

Connolly also sent a message saying she intended to work her notice period as a childminder “on the sly” despite being de-registered.

Mr Valli added: “She then goes on to say that if she were to get arrested she would play the mental health card.”

Liam Muir, defending, said Connolly had lost a child in horrific circumstances and was distinguished from other offenders using social media in that she had sent the tweet at the heart of the case before any violence against asylum seekers had started.

Mr Muir said: “The horrendous way in which she lost her son, being turned away from the health service, can only have a drastic detrimental effect on someone.

“Whatever her intention was in posting the offending tweet, it was short-lived, and she didn’t expect the violence that followed, and she quickly tried to quell it.”

Passing sentence Judge Inman said: “Sadly this is one of a number of cases that this court has had to deal with arising from civil unrest following the very tragic events in Southport on July 29.

“As everyone is aware some people used that tragedy as an opportunity to sow division and hatred, often using social media, leading to a number of towns and cities being disfigured by mindless and racist violence, intimidation and damage.

“It is a strength of our society that it is both diverse and inclusive. There is always a very small minority of people who will seek an excuse to use violence and disorder causing injury, damage, loss and fear to wholly innocent members of the public and sentences for those who incite racial hatred and disharmony in our society are intended to both punish and deter.”

The Judge said character references from those that know Connolly “speak of a caring person including those for whom you acted as a child minder for their children”.

He added: “You have a good family and a young daughter who is undoubtedly missing you terribly.

“In relation to the offence I have regard to the fact that although it was widely read, you did not repeat any such statement and in due course deleted it and you sent some messages to the effect that violence was not the answer.”

Judge Inman said while he accepted that Connolly still “very keenly” feels the loss of her son some years ago, there was no evidence of any mental disorder having any effect on her committing the offence.

He said: “Whilst you may well have understood the grief of those who suffered their own tragic losses in Southport, you did not send a message of understanding and comfort but rather an incitement to hatred.

“Whilst I accept you regret your actions and I have been referred to messages in which you say that you disagree with racism and violence, it is clear from the evidence of your own words in the days following your actions, what you said to the police and what you said to the probation officer, that you have little insight into, or acceptance of, your actions.”

Connolly was ordered to serve 40% of her 31-month sentence in prison before being released on license.

Her husband declined to comment on the sentencing as he left Birmingham Crown Court.

Express and Star

‘You have little acceptance for your actions’ – What crown court judge said as he sentenced Lucy Connolly

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October 17, 2024
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“You have little acceptance for your actions” was included in what a crown court judge said as he sentenced a former Northampton childminder to prison, following a racist social media post.

Lucy Connolly, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, was sentenced to 31 months in prison at Birmingham Crown Court today (Thursday October 17), after pleading guilty to publishing material intending to stir up racial hatred.

The charge relates to a post on X from the 41-year-old in July in the wake of the Southport murders.

In sentencing, Judge Melbourne Inman told Connolly – who appeared via video link from HMP Peterborough – that is was clear that she had “little insight into or acceptance of your actions”.

onnolly’s husband – Raymond Connolly a Conservative councillor for West Northamptonshire Council – watched on from the public gallery as his wife was sentenced.

Judge Inman said: “As everyone is aware some people used the tragedy to sow division and hatred often using social media

“It is a strength of our society that it is diverse and inclusive.

“Sentences for those who incite racial hatred and harm to society are intended to punish and deter.

“When you published these words you were well aware how how volatile the social climate was. The volatility led to serious disorder [across the country] where violence was used against innocent victims.

“Your message was widely read. It was viewed by 310,000, 940 retweets.

“Police were able to trace other tweets from before and after the tweet in question that included racist remarks.

“You intended to incite serious violence.

“You did encourage activity which threatened or endangered life, you also achieved widespread dissemination by posting on social media.

“It’s clear from the evidence in the days following your actions what you said to the police that you had little insight into or acceptance of your actions.”

The court also heard how police completed a digital scan of Connolly’s social media and found racist remarks on her Twitter before and after the incident, often referencing “boat invaders”.

In mitigation, the court was told that Connolly has no previous convictions and good character references, some from parents whose children she looked after.

It was also heard that the Southport incident “triggered a response in her because of the loss of her young son many years ago”. The judge said he accepts that she still “keenly feels that loss”.

Judge Inman added: “You have a good family, and a good daughter, who undoubtedly misses you terribly.”

Connolly’s post was also shared by 26-year-old father-of-three Tyler Kay, who was sentenced in August to 38 months after admitting to publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

The Chronicle

You can read the sentencing remarks here

Connollysentence

Former Northampton childminder jailed for two-and-a-half years for racist tweet

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October 17, 2024
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A former Northampton childminder and wife of a Conservative councillor has been sentenced to 31 months in prison after posting a racist message on X.

Lucy Connolly, the wife of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) Conservative councillor Raymond Connolly, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court this afternoon (Thursday, October 17).

The 41-year-old, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, was charged in August with publishing material intending to stir up racial hatred and later pleaded guilty in September.

Her now-deleted tweet called for mass deportation and suggested setting fire to hotels housing immigrants, in response to misinformation shared following the Southport murders. The offence took place on the social media platform X on July 29.

On Monday, September 2, she pleaded guilty to the charge via video link from HMP Peterborough. At that hearing, Judge Adrienne Lucking said that mother-of-three Connolly should expect a “substantial” custodial sentence.

The sentencing took place at Birmingham Crown Court to prevent any potential issues related to local bias given Raymond’s position as a councillor, the Judge Lucking said last month.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, previously said: “Using threatening, abusive, or insulting language to incite racism online is unacceptable and against the law.

“During her police interview, Lucy Connolly stated she held strong views on immigration, admitted she did not like immigrants, and claimed that children were not safe from them. While having strong or differing political views is not an offence, inciting racial hatred is – and that is what Connolly has admitted to doing.

“The prosecution presented evidence that showed Mrs Connolly’s racist tweets were sent from her X account both in the weeks and months before the Southport attacks, as well as in the days following.”

Connolly’s post was also shared by 26-year-old father-of-three Tyler Kay, who was sentenced in August to 38 months after admitting to publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

The Chronicle

Rioter jailed over asylum seeker hotel attack

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October 17, 2024
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A man has become the first person to be sentenced over West Midlands riots which occurred during unrest across the UK this summer.

Simon Orr, 38, of Grazier Avenue in Tamworth, Staffordshire, was sentenced on Thursday to six years and 17 weeks in prison.

In September, he pleaded guilty to rioting and assaulting an emergency worker during disorder which saw the town’s Holiday Inn Express hotel targeted by petrol bombs and missiles.

Orr’s sentence also included a 10-year criminal behaviour order, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The Holiday Inn Express, which has been home to asylum seekers, was set on fire during the violence of 4 August.

The events came in the wake of the fatal stabbings of children in Southport, Merseyside. Social media reports had at the time erroneously suggested a suspect in the case was an asylum seeker.

No details of Orr’s involvement in the rioting were given to the court during last month’s hearing, but the CPS said then that he was an active participant who was directly attacking police, especially after officers tried to control the situation.

The CPS added during its September statement that when the disorder escalated, rather than leaving, “Orr continued to play an active role; encouraging others to set fire to the hotel with people trapped inside – recklessly endangering lives”.

On Thursday, Adam Till of the CPS, said: “This sentence reflects the seriousness of Simon Orr’s actions and sends a clear message that unlawful violence which endangers public safety will not be tolerated.

“The [CPS] is continuing to work closely with Staffordshire Police to ensure those responsible for the disorder are brought to justice.”

He said those who had taken part in the disorder could expect to be brought to justice to face the full consequences of the law.

In addition to the sentence for rioting, Orr was also sentenced for breaching the conditions of a separate suspended sentence for assault.

BBC News

Man jailed for role in Rotherham hotel riot

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October 17, 2024
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A man who a court was told had “joined the mob” of rioters who descended on a hotel housing asylum seekers in South Yorkshire has been jailed for his part in the violent disorder.

Nathan Annables, 25, threw missiles at police and entered the Manvers Holiday Inn Express on 4 August to arm himself with a chair which he then used to “repeatedly” hit a hotel window before throwing it, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

He also tried to kick a police van when it was driven through the crowd, and he joined in with chanting aimed at asylum seekers in the hotel.

On Wednesday, Annables, of Manor Drive, Goldthorpe, in Barnsley, who had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was jailed for three years.

Sentencing Annables, the judge, Her Honour Sarah Wright, told the court that he had “joined in” what was a “terrifying” ordeal for the asylum seekers and staff in the hotel.

People inside the building were “crying and panicked” by what they could see unfolding outside and on social media, and they could smell fires burning, Judge Wright said.

Prosecutor Stephanie Hollis had earlier said that four police dogs and a horse were physically hurt during the violence at the hotel.

People in the surrounding area were left worried by what they had seen happen in the “protracted attack on police and occupants of the hotel”, with local residents scared the violence would spread and fearing for their lives, she said.

Ms Hollis told the court that tensions had mounted outside the hotel “well before physical violence broke out”.

Annables was seen on police bodycam footage arriving before midday drinking a bottle of alcohol and he was still there “hours later”, she said.

Ms Hollis said Annables was seen on video footage ripping wooden planks from a nearby perimeter fence to throw at police.

He also picked up a “rock or lump of concrete” and threw it at officers before attempting to kick a police van.

The court was told that Annables then went inside the hotel to arm himself with a chair to smash a window before throwing it, and he joined in with chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire”.

Ms Hollis said that in his first police interview, Annables told officers he had not joined in the disorder, however he later pleaded guilty to his role in the violence.

The judge told Annables she was sentencing him to three years because of the part he played in the violent disorder, “perpetrated by a mob of which you were part”.

Meanwhile, at Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday, a 17-year-old boy was handed a 12-month referral order and ordered to pay £400 in compensation to South Yorkshire Police for his role in the violence at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers.

The judge said he had given that sentence because the boy had had a difficult background, however he added that the teenager had been at the “forefront” of the violence that day.

The 17-year-old had joined in with the crowd, throwing missiles and kicking out at police, the judge said.

The boy told the court he would “just like to say I’m sorry for what I’ve done”, adding that he regretted his actions.

BBC News

Man admits being involved in fight at city protest

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October 16, 2024
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A man has admitted being involved in a fight during disorder in Nottingham.

Dominic Lane, 46, decided to join in when violence broke out during demonstrations in the city centre on 3 August.

He was among several men charged with using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke violence in connection with the incident, with three others pleading guilty at earlier hearings.

Lane previously denied the charge but on Tuesday, when a trial was due to be held at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, he admitted the offence.

The court heard Lane had “thrown a punch” before being arrested immediately after.

Graham Heathcote, defending, claimed Lane had been on the “periphery” of the incident which saw the victim, an Asian man, involved in an altercation.

“I’m suggesting to the court that the incident had already escalated into violence,” Mr Heathcote said.

‘Hurried toward fight’

He added that although Lane was “part of that” incident, it was “not targeted” and he submitted the defendant did not play a “lead role”.

Mark Fielding, prosecuting, said Lane was part of a group that “could be categorised as a far right-wing gathering, protesting, demonstrating against immigration”, and could be seen “shouting and gesticulating” before the offence.

“There’s then an incident where the right wingers were then infiltrated by a member of the other community,” he said.

“When that started, Mr Lane hurried toward that fight clearly with the intention of joining in and indeed he did join in,” Mr Fielding said.

He added “the abuse continued” after Lane’s arrest, claiming he swore at his arresting officer.

The victim, who was not involved in the proceedings, was also described in court as a “troublemaker”.

District judge Gillian Young said the offence was “serious” and happened “at a time of civil disorder and heightened tensions”.

Lane is due to be sentenced at the same court on 31 October.

BBC News

Grandmother who was part of ‘baying mob’ during Hull riot is jailed

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October 16, 2024
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She was ‘at the front of a large group behaving in a threatening way’

A rabble-rousing grandmother who helped stir up trouble during “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” in Hull city centre has been jailed for two years.

Julieanne Kay was walking around with a piece of wood in her hand while large numbers of police were being confronted outside a hotel that was housing asylum seekers.

She was present when fires were started at a garage and a “baying mob” surrounded a car that had three “terrified” men inside it, Hull Crown Court heard.

Kay, 47, of Lorraine Street, Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3.

Judge John Thackray KC said that Kay played a prominent role at the front of a group of people who were confronting police outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were living at the time. She made a comment about “banana boats” and she was part of racist insults that were hurled during the disturbance.

She pushed a large blue bin towards police and she was walking around holding a piece of wood. Kay was near her boyfriend, David Wilkinson, 48, of Lorraine Street, who had nunchucks with him. He was jailed for six years at a hearing in August for violent disorder, attempted arson and causing racially aggravated criminal damage.

Judge Thackray told Kay: “You were at the front of a large group behaving in a threatening way, waving and beckoning at the crowd. You tried to damage a litter bin that was screwed to the ground. You were kicking and pulling at it.”

Kay was also present when fires were set at a garage and when a BMW car was surrounded by a “baying mob” while three “terrified” occupants were inside. “You were part of that episode,” said Judge Thackray.

Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Kay had three children and three grandchildren. “She is incredibly embarrassed to find herself here today and she is appalled by her behaviour,” said Miss Scott.

“She got carried away with all of this.” Kay was involved in some unpleasant behaviour but she claimed that she was carrying the piece of wood not as a weapon but more as a crutch.

She “mirrored” the behaviour of her boyfriend, David Wilkinson, and she became “carried away in an entirely unpleasant way” during the trouble.

“She is incredibly remorseful and incredibly embarrassed,” said Miss Scott. “She has already served three months of a prison sentence.

“A Class A drugs addiction has blighted most of her life. Her Class A drugs addiction started when she was injected with drugs by a partner. She has managed her mental health by turning to Class A drugs.”

Kay had been clean of drugs for five or six years and her most recent previous conviction was from 2009. At the time of the offence, she had split up with her boyfriend of 26 years for about four weeks. “She was struggling to come to terms with the break-up,” said Miss Scott.

Judge Thackray said that Kay’s actions were “part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that had caused “immeasurable harm” and left a huge financial cost.

“I am not satisfied that your risk can be managed in the community or that you can be rehabilitated in the community,” said Judge Thackray. “Ultimately, only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”

Hull Daily Mail

Man, 20, caught on CCTV made no attempt to conceal what he was doing

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October 16, 2024
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Harry Conway appeared not to care who saw him as he made no efforts to conceal his identity

A man who made no attempt to hide his identity when he hurled missiles at police officers has been sentenced.

Harry Conway, aged 20, of Vivian Drive, in Birkdale, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced yesterday, Tuesday 15 October, to one year and eight months in a Youth Offender Institution.

He was sentenced for his role in violent disorder in Southport after he was identified on CCTV footage throwing missiles at officers.

Footage shows Conway involved in the appalling scenes on Tuesday 30 July and at various points he throws missiles in the direction of officers and police carriers.

He made no attempt to conceal his identity as he stood at the forefront of the group, acting aggressively towards officers and throwing various objects.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: “The despicable actions of those involved that day left more than 50 officers injured and Conway was heavily involved in the disorder.

“Thanks to a team of officers who trawled many hours of CCTV and social media footage, Conway was identified as part of a large group who were throwing various missiles towards officers.

“We continue to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Liverpool Echo