Man pleads guilty over Weymouth disorder

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

A 31-year-old man from Portland has pleaded guilty to a public order offence following disorder in Weymouth.

About 400 anti-immigration protesters and 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators gathered on The Esplanade on 4 August.

James Hepburn pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence.

He was bailed and will be sentenced at Poole Magistrates on 21 November.

A previous charge of “encouraging or assisting in the commission of offences of murder believing one or more will be committed” was discontinued.

BBC News

Man jailed for violent disorder in Southport

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

A man who threw missiles at police and their vehicles in Southport has been jailed for two years, two months today (Friday 18 October).

Lawrence Howarth, 33 years, of Carnoustie Close, Manchester was convicted of violent disorder in Southport where he was identified throwing objects at officers and at a police vehicle.

He was jailed today at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: “The actions of those involved in the disorder in Southport – including Howarth – left more than 50 officers injured, windows smashed, garden walls destroyed and local residents in fear.

“Howarth will now have time in a prison cell to reflect on his decision to bring chaos and destruction to our streets.

“We have now seen 73 people sentenced to a total of 156-and-a-half years in prison for the part they played in disorder in Merseyside, with 131 arrested and 93 of those charged.

“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 (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Our latest gallery can be found here: CCTV appeal to help identify 74 people as part of investigation into violent disorder in Merseyside | Merseyside Police

Merseyside Police

Man who hurled racist abuse at Jewish family jailed

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

A man who harassed a Jewish family at a car boot sale as part of a catalogue of public order and terrorism offences has been jailed for four years.

Robert Taylor, 42, posted hundreds of times on social media inciting racial hatred but also carried his extreme right-wing views into the community by targeting people and handing out leaflets, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Taylor, of Farnworth near Bolton, approached a man from behind at the car boot in Astley and repeated antisemitic slurs and Nazi slogans.

The victim, who was with his wife and two children, said he found the July 2021 incident “very disturbing” and he was even questioning whether to remain in the UK.

Prosecutor Martin Hackett said the man was “conscious at shielding his wife and children because he was unsure as to what the defendant’s motives were and what he was planning to do”.

The victim said he “felt sick” at the hateful views expressed in public.

The prosecutor said it had had a “permanent impact” on his life and he would no longer wear his skull cap in public.

‘Hateful sentiments’

Days earlier Taylor had targeted another car boot sale event at the same Wigan site as he filmed himself handing out racist and antisemitic fliers, telling one visitor: “There you go sir, learn about who your enemies are.”

Taylor was arrested at his home in Ullswater Drive in February 2023 on suspicion of public order offences relating to a protest in Bolton town centre, the court heard.

His mobile phone was later examined and revealed he had posted racist, homophobic and antisemitic content from his social media profile on the Telegram platform.

Taylor pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to various offences between March 2021 and February 2023 including inciting racial hatred, intentional harassment, distributing a terrorist publication and possessing a document likely to be useful to a terrorist.

Richard Simons, defending, said Taylor was a “highly intelligent man” whose offending was brought about by “intellectual curiosity that led him down a rabbit hole of research”.

Sentencing Taylor, Judge Alan Conrad KC told him: “The nature of your outpourings created a high risk of racial hatred being caused and the quantity and frequency made it more increasingly likely that someone would act upon the hateful sentiments that you broadcast.”

BBC News

Sex beast Barry Fradgley jailed after looking up far-right National Front and autopsy photos

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

A SEX beast who drugged and molested a woman has been returned to jail after looking up far-right material and autopsy images – but moaned: ‘I’m not happy.’

Barry Fradgley was let out last year mid-way through his 2014 11-year term for using powerful sleeping pills on his victim and sexually assaulting her.

But it took just over a month for him to breach a lifetime order to sign the sex offenders’ register and abide by a sexual offences prevention order limiting his internet access.

The 50-year-old had both set up a Twitter account, unregistered with police, and deleted 24 items from his Samsung phone’s browsing history.

When police recovered the history they found searches for far-right groups Combat 18, the British National Party, and the National Front.

Disturbing searches for abattoir and autopsy images were discovered, alongside a failed search for his police offender manager’s Facebook profile.

Fradgley had been released to approved premises Dickson House in Fareham on April 19 last year and the phone seized for checks by May 23.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson added: ‘There were also searches “how to view someone’s online mobile phone history, anti-spying, can sex offenders use VPNs (virtual private networks) on their devices and how do I know if my phone is being monitored.”

‘It was also discovered that the defendant had been using an online alias, BarryDo, on Twitter.’

After the hearing his previous victim, who was unaware of the latest case, told The News: ‘When he’s out I have to look over my shoulder.

‘It’s not a life to live. He’s a vile piece of work. I have to have someone living in my home.

‘Now I know he’s inside for a bit I can try and lead a normal life. He’s just an animal, he’s horrible.’

Fradgley’s lawyer told Portsmouth Crown Court her client claimed to be curious, and he feels ‘aggrieved’ he has lifetime orders imposed designed to stop him offending.

Bridget O’Hagan, mitigating, added: ‘It’s curiosity more than anything else, more curiosity-led than criminal.’

Judge William Ashworth jailed him for a year.

Sentencing, the judge said: ‘In my view there’s a risk of harm here because the searches you were undertaking were into areas of concern – far-right activity – the BNP, Combat 18 – also looking into imagery of slaughterhouses and autopsies.’

Judge Ashworth said Fradgley, whose address was given as HMP High Down, also ‘demonstrates a lack of sense’ after social media activity around his victim was discovered.

The judge added: ‘Most significantly for me is you were researching machinations by which you might evade those monitoring you.’

Asked if he needed to speak to his lawyer, Fradgley, who previously worked in an abattoir and claims to want to return to that line of work on release, added: ‘I’m not happy.

‘How can it be against the law for me to look at something to do with my job?’

He admitted breaching both the sex offender notification requirements and the prevention order.

Portsmouth News

From 2020

Ex-Army teen who stood on wall making ‘racist speech’ during riot is jailed

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

Evan Wilkins-Doyle said he is ‘disgusted’ and ‘ashamed’ of his behaviour during the Hartlepool riot

A teenager who volunteered with a charity helping refugees shouted racially aggravated abuse at the summer riot in Hartlepool.

Evan Wilkins-Doyle appeared before Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting to a charge of violent disorder on the night of rioting in the town on July 31. Rachel Masters prosecuting, told the court crowds has gathered following social media posts about protests and by 8pm the mood had turned violent.

She said the defendant was part of the crowd and showed the court CCTV footage of him standing on a wall addressing others. His speech included “Islam is getting further and further into our f****** country”, “don’t let them take our land off us” “step forward, step forward”. Ms Masters said he was trying to surge the crowd forward.

The prosecutor said Wilkins-Doyle, 19, of The Spinney, Hartlepool, had handed himself in to the police and said he had gone because he thought it was going to be a peaceful protest. Stephen Constantine, defending, told the sentencing hearing that the teenager is of previously good character and has spent a lot of his time doing good in the local community and helping others.

He said Wilkins-Doyle had even volunteered for a charity with his mum helping refugees. “The defendant made a speech, or whatever it can be called, for about 20 second and got off the wall,” the court heard.

“You could be forgiven for not understanding why he climbed on that wall and said the things he said. What he said was clearly entirely at odds with the way he has presented himself throughout the rest of his life. It is impossible to explain it.”

He said his clients’ family members are all astonished and the defendant has said he is “disgusted” and “ashamed” by his actions. Mr Constantine said: “Those are the words he used to describe himself and he is at a loss as to explain why he acted in such a way.

“This type of behaviour is alien to him and his family.” The barrister said it is something his client never wants to repeat or put his family through again.

Judge Francis Laird said Wilkins-Doyle had suffered heartache following the death of his step-father and disappointment in being medically discharged from the army and unable to pursue the careers he wanted. He said: “The combination of these factors did affect you greatly.”

He said he found the words he used on that evening did make the crime racially aggravated. But, he took into account all the positive things he had been told about him and his early guilty plea and sentenced him to 14 months in prison.

Gazette Live

Man, 23, is latest to be sentenced over Southport violent disorder

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

Man, 23, is latest to be sentenced over Southport violent disorder

A 23 year-old man has been sentenced for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on July 30. Harry Holmes Moore, of Zetland Street, Southport, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, October 17).

Moore was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity days. A 27 year-old man from Wigan has also been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in Southport and has been conditionally bailed.

So far, 131 people have been arrested, and 72 people sentenced to a total of 154 years and four months. The latest people to be charged with violent disorder include a 13-year-old girl from Anfield, while 20-year-old Harry Conway, of Vivian Drive, in Birkdale, who hurled missiles at police, was given 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.

Police are asking for anyone with information to contact them via their Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The latest gallery of people they would like to speak to relating to the disorder can be found here: CCTV appeal to help identify 74 people as part of investigation into violent disorder in Merseyside | Merseyside Police.

Liverpool Echo

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

By
October 17, 2024
Uncategorized

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

By
October 17, 2024
Uncategorized

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

By
October 17, 2024
Uncategorized

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

By
October 17, 2024
Uncategorized

“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