Teenager jailed for sharing terrorist documents and attacking transgender woman

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September 19, 2024
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Alex Edwards, of Swansea, boasted on social media about the attack in May last year saying ‘Best day ever’.

A teenage far-right extremist has been jailed for more than five years for sharing terrorist documents as well as attacking a transgender woman by kicking her in the head before posting online “Best day ever”.

Alex Edwards, formerly known as Alex Hutton, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court for causing actual bodily harm, disseminating terrorist material and having a bladed article in a public place.

The 19-year-old of Morriston, Swansea, was also convicted of breaching a criminal behaviour order for a previous offence of distributing terrorist material in 2022.

Sentencing Edwards to an extended sentence comprising five years and four months in custody and five years on extended licence, Judge Christopher Parker KC told him: “It’s quite clear that you appear to have blurred the distinction between holding and expressing legitimate political views and enforcing doctrines through acts of extreme violence.”

He added that the defendant had a “significant lack of empathy for others” and told him: “In my judgment, you are somebody who now poses a significant risk of harm and you are, in the statutory definition, dangerous.”

The judge continued: “You have an entrenched mindset of hatred towards others.

“I am concerned about the escalation of your behaviour from words and videos transmitted over the internet to violent action, whether in the form of producing a knife in public or especially the assault in broad daylight in order to glorify your extremist views.”

Catherine Farrelly KC, prosecuting, told the court that Edwards attacked the transgender woman at a park in Swansea on May 20 last year, while wearing a balaclava and accompanied by another man.

She said the defendant made a number of transphobic comments against the victim, who is a university student, who then threw a can of drink at the two attackers.

Ms Farrelly said: “The defendant then swung a powerful kick at her head and struck her to the right side of her head.

“She responded to that by saying ‘You have to try a lot harder than that’. The defendant responded by kicking her with force a number of times.”

The prosecutor said that the victim was treated in hospital for her injuries, including the defendant’s shoe print on her face.

She said that the defendant later boasted on social media about the attack, saying “Still loving my switch kick” with a laughing face emoji which she said referred to a mixed martial arts move Edwards had been trained in.

He also posted: “Best day ever.”

Ms Farrelly said that Edwards had a history of offending dating back to when he was 13-years-old and was given a youth conditional caution for making a bomb hoax about a school, then at the age of 14 he was made subject to a parenting order for sending racist messages to a mosque.

She described how the defendant had breached the criminal behaviour order by sharing on Instagram and Telegram a range of antisemitic, racist, homophobic and extremist far-right videos, pictures and manuals which included posts praising Nazism.

Ms Farrelly said the knife offence related to a posted photograph of the defendant in a balaclava pointing a large knife at the camera in a public street.

The prosecutor added that Edwards said in police interview that his behaviour had been because “he thought it looked cool” and he had made the homophobic remarks because “he wanted to look edgy and cool”.

She also said that he described himself as “right-wing but not a Nazi” and added that he “got carried away with what he posted as he would get reactions which he liked”.

Thomas Schofield, defending, said that Edwards had a “neurological impairment” with signs of autistic spectrum disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD and added: “He is a particularly immature 19-year-old.”

Bethan David, head of the 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.”
Evening Standard

Balaclava clad rioter, 13, launched missiles and pushed mates into cops

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September 19, 2024
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The 13-year-old shrugged when he was asked by a judge what an asylum seeker was

A 13-year-old boy donned a balaclava whilst pushing his mates into cops, walked in the middle of the road and launched missiles at the police during disorder in Newton Heath.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, was one of a large group who attended outside a hotel on Oldham Road on July 31 this year that was believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Disorder and chaos spread across the country after misinformation was spread online as to the identity of a murder suspect after three children were killed in Southport last month.

Prosecuting, Hannah Nicholls said that on July 31 at around 6pm, a large group of people began to congregate outside the hotel. It became aggressive with the group throwing missiles and chanting racial slurs which caused fear to members of the public, she said.

“He is seen to throw an object in the direction of police officers. He then walks in the middle of the road causing an obstruction to a bus on Oldham Road. The bus then stops before it is attacked,” Ms Nicholls said.

“The defendant is seen wearing a face covering whilst later interrogating officers, telling them: ‘Shut up you, don’t touch my mate’. He then is seen trying to remove their hats whilst pushing other youths into the officers.”

Later he is seen talking to the driver of a black Audi before he is passed a plastic bag. The boy then threw some items at the officers before picking up items from the floor and throwing them towards the police, it was said.

Mitigating, Lucy Astley said that the teen had walked alongside the bus whilst others had kicked and punched it.

District Judge Margaret McCormack said: “Would he be as brave on his own? He is egging others on – it was a tinderbox situation. This is the cowardly actions of those together en masse.”

Ms Astley conceded that he was part of a group but said he ‘completely regrets’ and is ashamed of his actions.

She said of the promising Muay Thai boxer: “He has focused on his training. He comes from a good family home who say this is out of character for him.

“He intended to go out for food with a friend for their birthday but became involved.”

District Judge McCormack interjected: “I have heard all sorts of explanations from these people who just happened to come across what was happening. Who goes out to spend their pocket money with a face covering on?”

She asked the boy if he knew what an asylum seeker was and he shrugged. She also asked him what the phrase ‘far-right’ meant and what had happened in the Southport attack. He again shrugged.

“You went down there like a sheep following them. You wanted to be part of that gang. You’ve got to think what sort of gang you want to be a part of,” she told him.

The boy added: “I regret it and I’m sorry.”

Addressing the boy’s mum, she asked how he behaved at home. “He’s a good lad,” she said. “This is out of character for him.”

The 13-year-old was handed a 12 month referral order and his mum was ordered to pay £150 compensation to the bus driver.

“You dragged your mum to court for this terrible offence. You have got an opportunity to turn this around and make her a son to be proud,” the judge added.

Manchester Evening News

‘I’m not having that, I wasn’t born yesterday…’: Judge’s explosive rant at boy’s pathetic rioting excuse

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September 19, 2024
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“What else do you have to say to me? Do not treat me as an idiot”

A judge launched into a furious rant at a boy who claimed he was ‘going to buy a drink’ before a group of masked-up youths tried to break into a shop.

The 17-year-old was one of a number of teens who were spotted outside the convenience store in Bolton town centre. The attack took place during the protests and counter protests in the Greater Manchester town on August 4 this year.

Disorder was seen across the country after misinformation spread online as to the identity of the murder suspect of three children who were killed in Southport last month. This included areas across the north west including Newton Heath, Manchester city centre and Bolton.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the boy, who was 16 at the time but has since turned 17, was captured on CCTV wearing a face covering.

Police were deployed to keep the peace between the two sides, after which 20 to 30 youths continued to cause disruption, the court heard.

Hannah Nicholls, prosecuting, said: “This boy was one of the youths, he was involved in an incident upon a store, namely the AMZ Convenience Store. The owner has owned it for 11 years.

“He decided to open the shop around 1pm. He saw a number of people in masks and police outside the shop and realised people were protesting. He decided to close until things quieted down.”

Later that afternoon things appeared to have calmed down and he opened up the shop, she said. Fifteen minutes later he was standing by the till when he noticed a masked male on a bike outside.

He then got off the bike, threw the bike and looked directly at him from outside the shop,” Ms Nicholls said. “The owner was concerned and ran to the front door as he was concerned he was going to get robbed.

“He could hear the male shouting to someone and then three or four people came immediately and tried to open the front door by pushing, kicking and punching the door. He grabbed his keys from his pocket to put the shutter down, the youths tried to stop the shutter from coming down.

“During that time could hear number of people shouting: “You’re going back, no good person, b*****d”. He believed they were trying to rob the shop.”

The owner remained in the shop after the shutters were fully down and could hear the group banging on them for a number of seconds before moving on.

The glass door was left completely smashed, and the wooden panels were damaged, the total cost of which to replace was between £1,200 and £2,000.

In a victim personal statement, the shop owner said: “I was worried for my safety and protecting my shop. At the time I was scared because I was on my own.

“I believed I was targeted due to my race. It made me feel bad. I have lived in this country for a long time and my children have grown up here. I now stand outside my shop out of fear in case I am targeted again. I am constantly on edge.”

Mitigating for the boy, Dan Gaskell said he had a previous conviction for possession of a bladed article for which he received a referral order, but has shown ‘good motivation’ to engage with the youth justice services.

He said he had a ‘limited role’ in the violence upon the shop.

“This is a young man with a complex history. He was left to his own devices as a child and is in the care of the local authority. He is young enough to learn from mistakes,” Mr Gaskell added.

Addressing the boy, District Judge Margaret McCormack asked: “What do you have to say for yourself?”

He said: “First, I’m sorry about the shop. I didn’t mean to cause damage to the shop. At first I wanted to go and get a drink.”

Furiously interrupting him, the judge said: “No, I’m not having that. I wasn’t born yesterday. I have seen that footage, it was very volatile.

“Do not come here and insult me by telling me you wanted to go and buy something. I have seen how threatening those groups of young men are, masked up.

“Don’t test my patience, it was a very volatile situation. That man in that shop, whether or not it was you, but he was subject to racist abuse. He was born and bred in this country. Running a business. It could have got taken away from him. Do you know how serious it is?”

The boy quietly replied: “Yes.”

“I have read your background and you had an appalling upbringing that no child should be subjected to. But you know the difference between right and wrong. You know you were doing wrong,” she told him.

“What else do you have to say to me? And don’t treat me as an idiot.”

The boy sheepishly replied: “Just I’m really sorry and it won’t happen again.”

The teen pleaded guilty to criminal damage and violent disorder. He was handed a 12 month intensive youth rehabilitation order which included a three month electronically monitored curfew from 7pm to 7am, activity requirements up to 91 days and supervision from the youth justice service. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the shop owner.

As she sentenced him, District Judge McCormack told the teen: “If you come back it won’t be me sending you to prison, it will be you.”

Manchester Evening News

Teen who attacked shop during disorder sentenced

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September 19, 2024
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A teenager who was part of a masked gang which attacked a convenience store during violent disorder this summer has been given a youth rehabilitation order.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard the owner of the Bolton shop was “terrified” while trying tried to stop four youths breaking in on 4 August.

While attempting to close the shop’s electric shutters, a 16-year-old boy kicked and punched the glass door.

The now 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted violent disorder and criminal damage but denied his actions were racially aggravated.

Violence flared in Bolton, as well as several other towns and cities across England, following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July in Southport, Merseyside.

The court was told the shopkeeper believed he had been “targeted for his race” and had been left “constantly on edge” ever since about the possibility of more protests.

Judge Margaret McCormack described the atmosphere in Bolton on 4 August as “volatile” and “very intimidating”.

She acknowledged that the 17-year-old had experienced “an appalling upbringing”, but told him: “You knew what you were doing was wrong.”

The teenager was already serving a community sentence when he got involved in the violence.

The judge warned him he would face a custodial sentence if he breached his 12-month youth rehabilitation order.

The youth was also told to pay £200 compensation to the shopkeeper.

BBC News

Police charge three more men after Bristol disorder

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September 19, 2024
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Police have charged three more men with committing violent disorder in Bristol last month.

Joshua Sarkozi, of Shirehampton in Bristol, pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

Mr Sarkozi, 25, will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on September 26.

The unrest occurred when protesters and counter protesters gathered near Castle Park in the city centre on August 3.

Two other men Joseph Saunders, 41, of Exeter, and Paul Marks, 67, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, are due in Bristol Magistrates’ Court on October 3.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 25-year-old man from Cornwall has been received a conditional caution after he admitted failing to remove a face covering when required to by a constable.

A total of 40 people have been charged in connection with the disorder, and 22 have been sentenced.

BBC News

Man who threw missiles at police during disorder jailed

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September 19, 2024
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A man who threw punches and missiles at police during a city centre protest has been jailed.

Ashley Hunt, from St George in Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to one year and eight months in prison for the role he played during the disorder in Bristol on 3 August.

The unrest occurred when protesters and counter protesters gathered near Castle Park in the city centre.

Avon and Somerset Police have arrested 51 people in connection with the disorder, with 37 being charged so far.

Hunt pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder after an officer’s body worn camera captured the violent nature of his behaviour that day.

Sentencing Hunt at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Peter Blair told him the fact he committed the offence while on licence demonstrated he did not have respect for the criminal justice system.

He added: “Although you were not a main instigator your actions showed violence, aggression and a disregard for the police and the community”.

Demonstrations took place across England after three young girls were killed in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

False claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Det Ch Insp Tom Herbert said: “Ashley Hunt punched a person in Castle Park and the body worn footage shows how he continued to be aggressive and violent later on during the day towards both the public and officers.

“Prison sentences totalling more than 40 years have been handed down by the courts for those responsible for the ugly scenes last month.

“We have made more than 50 arrests so far and will continue to do all we can to further identify those responsible for the appalling violence that took place in August.”

Avon and Somerset Police said it was still keen to identify a number of people, external that officers want to speak to as part of their investigation.

BBC News

Man who assaulted female police officer pleads guilty to riot

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September 19, 2024
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Simon Orr was charged by Staffordshire Police after a major inquiry into an attack on a hotel.

A man who assaulted a female police constable has become the third offender in England to admit a charge of riot in connection with the summer’s disorder in parts of the UK.

Simon Orr, 38, of Grazier Avenue, Two Gates, Tamworth, Staffordshire, appeared by prison videolink on Thursday to admit rioting in the town on August 4, when a hotel housing asylum seekers was attacked and set on fire.

He had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and will be sentenced next month, after the court heard he was also in breach of a suspended sentence order, having been handed a 17-week suspended jail term in January for offences of theft, assault and driving while disqualified.

Judge John Edwards told Orr, who appeared on the videolink screen wearing an orange bib over a black short-sleeved T-shirt: “All things being equal you will be sentenced on October 11.

“The fact that you have pleaded guilty today is something that the (sentencing) judge can take into consideration.

“You have not left it to the day of trial (to plead guilty) which is very sensible if I may say so.”

The charge against Orr was upgraded from violent disorder to the more serious charge of riot after a review of the evidence by prosecutors.

Defence barrister Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe told the court that Orr, who is being held in custody at HMP Dovegate, had mental health issues which may need to be explored before his sentencing.

No details of Orr’s involvement in the rioting were given to the court, other than the wording of the charges he admitted.

The court heard CCTV evidence will be played at his sentencing hearing.

In a separate hearing at Stoke Crown Court, Matthew Hodgekinson pleaded guilty to taking part in violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent last month.

Hodgekinson, 33, of Halmerend, Newcastle-under-Lyme, admitted one charge relating to disorder in the city on August 3.

No details of Hodgekinson’s offending were given to the court during the short hearing on Thursday, but Judge Sally Hancox told the defendant it was “almost inevitable” he would be facing a custodial sentence.

She said: “This was part of a number of disturbances across the country following the tragic events in Southport.

“Having reviewed the CCTV footage, in my view you have taken a sensible step by admitting your wrongdoing.

“You will be sentenced on October 11 and you will be remanded into custody between now and then.”

Hodgekinson said “Thank you” before being led back down to the cells.

Evening Standard

Images of men and woman released as Staffordshire disorder arrest total hits 94

By
September 18, 2024
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Images of Tommy McQuaker, Aimee Hodgkinson-Hedgecox and Tyler Marchese were issued after they pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Staffordshire Police have issued custody photos of three people involved in disorder in the wake of the Southport stabbings, including a 29-year-old man who repeatedly kicked a police dog.

The force said Tommy McQuaker, of Amington, Tamworth, also launched missiles at police in the town and refused to comply with instructions when he was told to move back by a dog-handler.

Due to the 29-year-old’s aggressive behaviour and repeated attempts to assault officers and police dogs, he was bitten by Police Dog Vixen, and repeatedly kicked her as a result of the bite.

The dog was also hit in the head with a brick by someone who took part in disorder on August 4 outside Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express hotel.

In a statement issued after McQuaker admitted violent disorder at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday, police said he handed himself in on August 15.

He admitted violent disorder and pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog, with prosecutors accepting the latter charge should not be proceeded with, and will be sentenced on November 8.

Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox pleaded guilty to violent disorder after she was seen on footage repeatedly challenging officers and making a number of racial slurs at the scene, police said.

She was with a young child, who she had to move out of the way of fireworks and missiles that were being thrown.

Hodgkinson-Hedgecox will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court in November.

Meanwhile, Tyler Bradley Marchese, 21 of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Officers said he was seen numerous times on footage filmed on Stoke-on-Trent on August 3, engaging in violent disorder and throwing objects at police at the scene.

Father-of-one Marchese will appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on September 27 for sentencing.

Staffordshire Police have so far arrested a total of 94 people and charged 38 with offences following the violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth.

The latest to be charged are Lee Clark, 41, of Dordon, Tamworth, who faces allegations of violent disorder and common assault of an emergency worker.

Sam Williams, 36, of Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of cannabis.

David Kirkbridge, 28, and Colin Stonehouse, 36, both of Wilnecote, Tamworth, have been charged with violent disorder.

Williams has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on September 27.

Clark has been remanded in custody and will appear at Stafford Crown Court on the same date.

Kirkbridge and Stonehouse have been remanded in custody ahead of their next appearance at Stafford Crown Court on September 30.

Evening Standard

First hearing under way at Crown Court

By
September 18, 2024
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Mason Lowe, who wears a dark jumper, looks at the public gallery several times as he rests his arms on his thighs in the dock.

He admits a charge of violent disorder relating to the trouble at Manvers on 4 August.

However, the 27-year-old denies a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

That means a trial will take place, with the case set to be heard before the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC (pictured above at an earlier hearing where cameras were allowed in court) in December.

BBC News

Rotherham hotel riot: Teen spends six hours in hospital after being bitten by police dog

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September 18, 2024
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A district judge has refused to allow a 17-year-old involved in the summer disorder outside a Rotherham hotel to be named, saying he struggled to see how lifting his anonymity would help deter future violence.

Sheffield Youth Court heard how the teenager was spotted waving a piece of wood above his head when he was part of the mob outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, which was housing 240 asylum seekers at the time.

He was arrested after he was tackled by a police dog called Luna, and the court heard the defendant spent six hours in hospital after his arrest because of injuries inflicted by the dog.

On Wednesday he avoided detention and was given a two-year youth referral order, with a number of provisions including a six-month night-time curfew.

Applications to allow the youth to be named were made by PA Media and the BBC, but these were refused by District Judge Tim Spruce.

Judge Spruce said he did not agree with arguments that lifting his anonymity would add to the deterrent effect of the sentencing of scores of adults after the rioting in parts of the UK in early August.

He said a number of weeks had now elapsed and “that horse has bolted”.

The judge said the lengthy sentences handed down to adults “has been an impressive message” and acknowledged that the “exceptional” response of the criminal justice system has “proved successful” in quelling the outbreaks of violence.

But he said six or seven weeks had now passed and “I struggle to see how lifting the anonymity order in (the boy’s) case will assist that message”.

Judge Spruce acknowledged that Kenzie Roughley, who had only just turned 18 when he was jailed for two years and four months when he became the first person to be sentenced for his part in the Rotherham violence, was not much older than this defendant.

But he said that the threshold of 18 was an important distinction in law and the fact the teenager was being dealt with in a youth court meant there were different priorities.

The judge said: “He was not, and is still not in law, an adult. Unlike Kenzie Roughley, (the boy) is entitled to statutory protection.”

He said: “This is not a hardened offender,” and added “There is a real opportunity here for further intervention.”

He said he had heard the boy was “horrified” and “genuinely upset” when it was explained to him about the terror experienced by the people trapped inside the hotel and the fact that the police on duty had families too.

The judge said: “I am satisfied that’s genuine.”

But he told the youngster: “It was shameful disorder and you were part of it.”

He said the defendant was at the forefront of an “ignorant mob” but acknowledged this was only for a short time.

Judge Spruce said: “You were part of the swarm of violent offenders.”

He told the boy that, if he had been adult, he could have been facing a sentence of between two and a half years and five years in prison.

But he said: “We don’t treat children like mini-adults. The principle aim of the youth justice system is to prevent offending. The welfare of children, which you are, is paramount.”

Judge Spruce told the teenager: “You have the opportunity to take a different path and move towards a more positive future.”

Asked if he wanted to say anything to the court, the boy said: “Sorry.”

The judge ordered the boy’s parents, who were both in court, to pay £111 in costs and surcharges, and advised them to recoup the cash from their son through household chores or other means.

The teenager pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing.

The incident was part of the rioting outside the hotel which left 64 officers, three police dogs and a horse injured.

There were 240 asylum seekers in the hotel, which protesters tried to set on fire, and courts have heard how staff barricaded themselves in the kitchen with freezers, fearing they would die.

More than 45 men have so far been jailed for their parts in the Rotherham disorder.

A bus driver and former soldier who served in Iraq was jailed for two years and two months on Wednesday at Sheffield Crown Court for his role in the riot.

Lee Marshall, 39, of Princess Street, Barnsley, shoulder-barged a female officer in order to move the police line back and retrieve his phone, which he had lost when confronting officers.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

Chris Aspinall, defending Marshall, said he attended the protest “because he did have strong feelings that unregulated and uncontrolled immigration was a problem” but that he “played no part in any violence or racial chanting”.

The court heard that as a result of his prison sentence Marshall will “come out literally with nothing”, after losing his job with Stagecoach, his house, contact with his teenage son, and the ability to visit his partner in the US.

At the same court, Mason Lowe, 27, of Lowfield Road, Bolton-upon-Dearne, admitted violent disorder but pleaded not guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.

Arron Bailey, 28, of Margaret Close, Darfield, Barnsley, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder but denied attempted arson with intent to endanger life.

A provisional trial date of December 16 was set for both men, who were remanded in custody.

MSN