Man jailed for Whitehall disorder said ‘I was there to buy meat for my mum’

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September 6, 2024
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Jack Wood was sentenced to 13 months in prison for violent disorder at the central London protest.

A man jailed for violent disorder in Whitehall claimed he was in the area to buy meat for his ailing mother.

Jack Wood was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to violent disorder over the incident on July 31.

On Friday at Inner London Crown Court, Wood said footage showed him carrying a Tesco shopping bag that was filled with meat for his mother – who he cares for.

The man from Lakeside, Rainham, claimed the haul demonstrated he had not planned to attend the protest in advance.

James Manning, defending, put Wood’s instruction to Judge Benedict Kelleher.

The judge noted that Wood’s mother lives in Rainham and said “and he bought meat from Whitehall?” before concluding “that is not the best point”.

Wood got involved in the disorder at about 8pm, the court heard.

Judge Kelleher said footage showed Wood approaching the front of the crowd that was facing the line of police, and “there had by then been a number of particular spikes in disorder”.

Wood moved towards the line as other protesters pushed police, he said.

He was then seen and heard shouting abuse to officers beside others, and the judge said “by then it must have been obvious to you (that) it was creating a very volatile situation, and the police were doing their best to keep order”.

Sentencing Wood, he said: “(your actions) must be taken together with the actions around you”.

Wood had a previous conviction for possession of drugs, and had received a three-year football ban for public order offences in September 2020, which he breached.

In the same court, Jay Keeling, 27, of Hyland Way, Hornchurch, pleaded guilty to violent disorder over the same Whitehall incident.

He was imprisoned for 16 months after he pushed into police and threw a beer bottle towards them.

Evening Standard

Man sentenced over Hull riot

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September 6, 2024
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A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 months in a young offender institution for his involvement in rioting in Hull last month.

Jordan Shaw, of Ilthorpe in the Orchard Park area of Hull, had previously admitted charges of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

During the incident on Saturday 3 August, several police officers were attacked with missiles, a hotel on Ferensway was targeted and several cars were severely damaged.

Dozens of people have been arrested and jail sentences have already been handed out in a number of cases.

About £400,000 worth of damage was caused when the Shoezone, O2 and Lush shops on Jameson Street were looted.

A clean-up operation, carried out by Hull City Council, cost £17,600 to repair and replace paving in the city.

BBC News

Watch: Arrest of man who received longest sentence for summer riots

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September 6, 2024
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As our home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford, writes, most of the sentences we’ve seen have followed a similar trend – landing somewhere between two years and three years and four months.

Only three people have received more severe sentences than the upper end of that spectrum, which includes one we saw today: Thomas Birley, 27, of Swinton, was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon.

His acts, described by the judge as one of the worst cases the court had heard related to the riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, left staff inside fearing for their lives.

We’re going to be pausing our coverage now, but you can watch Birley’s arrest and some of the footage of him outside that hotel during rioting in Rotherham below.

BBC News

Four teenagers sentenced after Plymouth riots

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September 6, 2024
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A total of 10 people have now been sentenced in connection with the disorder last month

A 16-year-old has become the latest person to be sentenced for their involvement in the violent disorder in Plymouth back in August.

The 16-year-old and three 17-year-old boys are amongst the 19 people who have been sentenced after far-right protesters clashed with police in the city on Monday, August 5.

Yesterday, September 5, a 16-year-old girl and three 17-year-old boys appeared at Truro Crown Court after all being convicted of violent disorder. All four teens, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were given referral orders which imposes strict conditions on each individual. They were also ordered to pay court costs.

The teens were involved in a protest in Plymouth on August 5, which saw widespread disruption in the city, with police officers attacked and businesses closed.

It followed a similar wave of disorder across the country, sparked misinformation spread after the deaths of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar in Stockport in July.

Chief Inspector Tom Cunningham said: “We continue to pursue those who were involved in the violent disorder that night and hold them to account.

“Last month, the city saw dozens of people intent on violence which has had an understandable effect on our community and continues to cause concern, particularly among our diverse communities.

“Our neighbourhood officers, including those within the Devon & Cornwall Police Diverse Community Team, have been working closely with groups to ensure that anyone who has concerns knows where to seek support and anyone who has been a victim of hate crime has the confidence to come forward.

“There are many ways to report incidents, including third party reporting; by visiting a local hate crime reporting centre where a specialist or representative from your protected characteristic community can help you through the reporting process and offer support. The below link outlines where you can find these centres.

“There are also many charities, groups, and organisations which can offer support, advice, and ways to report the incident without having to talk directly to the police.”

A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Four teenagers are amongst 19 people who have now been sentenced for their involvement in the violent disorder which happened in Plymouth last month.

“So far, a total of 26 people have been charged in connection with the unrest which gripped the city on the evening of Monday 5 August.

“Yesterday, Thursday 5 September, a 16-year-old girl and three 17-year-old boys, appeared at Truro Crown Court after having been convicted of violent disorder. All four, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were given referral orders which impose strict conditions on each individual. They were also ordered to pay court costs.”

Plymouth Herald

Painter handed longest sentence over summer riots so far as he is jailed for nine years

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September 6, 2024
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Thomas Birley was jailed for nine years, with an extended licence period of five years, at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

A painter and decorator who fuelled a fire outside a hotel housing hundreds of asylum seekers in Rotherham has been handed the longest prison sentence so far over the riots in August.

Thomas Birley was jailed for nine years, with an extended licence period of five years, at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Birley, 27, his case was “unquestionably” one of the most serious of the dozens he has dealt with in the last month in relation to the rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express, at Manvers, on August 4.

The court heard how Birley, of Rowms Lane, Swinton, Rotherham, was involved in many of the worst incidents on that Sunday afternoon, including adding wood to the fire in the large industrial bin which had been pushed against an exit and helping place a further bin on top of the one ablaze.

Birley was also filmed throwing missiles at the police, squaring up to officers while brandishing a police baton and throwing a large bin which crashed into a line of police with riot shields.

The defendant became the first person to be sentenced for arson with intent to endanger life following the 12 hours of violence in Manvers, which left 64 police officers, three horses and a dog injured.

Judge Richardson heard how 22 staff in the hotel barricaded themselves into the hotel’s panic room with freezers and “thought they were going to burn to death”.

He said he needed to pass an extended sentence due to Birley’s ongoing dangerousness, which included the extended five-year licence period.

Evening Standard

He tried to hide his face from police but still found himself in a cell

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September 6, 2024
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Connor Piggott was spotted on video

A man tried to hide his face as he launched bricks at police officers but his efforts were in vain. Connor Ashley Piggott took part in violent scenes which broke out on St Luke’s Road in Southport on July 30.

The 25-year-old, of Landsdown Road, Chester, was spotted on video repeatedly throwing bricks at police officers. He wore a balaclava to try and hide his face, but as detectives trawled through hours of CCTV and social media he was identified.

Piggott appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, September 5, after pleading guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: “The despicable actions of those involved that day left more than 50 officers injured and Piggott was seen on video repeatedly throwing bricks toward police officers. Like many others, he wore a balaclava in a bid to hide his identity. But thanks to officers who trawled many hours of CCTV and social media footage, his efforts were in vain.

“Piggott was positively identified as one of those launching objects towards officers who had been dispatched to the area to protect the public. He will now spend a significant amount of time in prison and I hope he spends that time reflecting on his actions that day.

“To date, we have arrested 96, charged 60 and sentenced 43 people, and there will be many more to come. 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.”

People are asked to contact Merseyside Police via Public Portal Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.

Liverpool Echo

Arsonist receives longest sentence yet linked to summer riots

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September 6, 2024
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Thomas Birley, 27, of Swinton, Rotherham, has received the longest sentence of anyone involved in the summer riots so far.

Here’s a summary of what was heard in court today:

Birley was involved in a riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham on 4 August, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time

The 27-year-old was part of a group that smashed the hotel’s windows and he added to a fire against the building

He previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon

He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to nine years in prison, with a five-year extension on licence

The Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said the lives of at least 50 people were endangered and those inside thought they would be killed

Birley and people like him were “intent on spreading a hateful message of violence and racism”, the judge said

It was one of the worst cases the court had heard related to the incident, the judge added

A pre-sentence report had views which “raised alarm” with a probation officer and there were hints of a “white supremacist mindset”, the judge said

Birley’s defence barrister said the former painter and decorator “expresses heartfelt remorse”. The court also heard Birley is a “loner” and has a learning disorder and mental disability

Birley has been jailed for nine years for taking part in a riot in Rotherham on 4 August – the highest prison sentence handed out by judges following widespread violence and rioting.

He was part of a group which helped smash windows at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers and added wood to a fire against the building, which housed asylum seekers.

Birley, 27, of Swinton, Rotherham, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon.

At Sheffield Crown Court, the Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “You are unquestionably a dangerous offender.”

His sentence is nine years in prison, with a five-year extension on licence.

BBC News

Man claimed he wasn’t in town for riot but then police showed him the footage

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September 5, 2024
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He had his head in his hands as he was sentenced

A businessman told police he hadn’t even been in the same town square as the riots that broke out in August – until they showed him footage ripping up the area near a cenotaph.

Dane Potter, 39, of Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan, was involved in a riot in Bolton on Sunday, August 4 and also threw a missile towards police officers.

Bricks and other missiles were launched at police officers who were trying to keep the protesters apart from counter-protesters (with around 250 people attending from each side). The demonstration followed the tragic death of three young girls in Southport, and, the court said, the ‘misinformation’ about the alleged perpetrator’s identity.

Potter, who runs his own tree surgery business, was identified and stopped by police three days after the riot. He was interviewed at a police station and initially denied he had been on Nelson Square in the town when the disorder took place.

But police showed him footage, which included him ‘ripping’ tarmac or some stones from the area near the cenotaph before throwing a missile towards officers. Potter had his hood up and wore a mask covering his face, and hung around the area for about an hour afterwards, prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said.

After seeing the footage he confessed and apologised. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and has now been sentenced to two years and two months in prison.

He held his head in his hands as he appeared in court by video link from HMP Liverpool. The judge said it was accepted by prosecutors that Potter’s offending was not racially aggravated. Defending, Emily Potter said the defendant ‘simply cannot explain’ his behaviour.

“He found himself in the middle of this and going along with this,” she said. “That is not how he behaves on a day to day basis.”

But the court was told that Potter has 10 previous offences on his record, including two for affray and one for possessing an offensive weapon. Ms Potter said the defendant fears his business, in which he employs six people, could fold without him.

“Day to day he is an average citizen who goes to work, sees his family and comes home,” Ms Potter added. “He accepts that his behaviour is completely unacceptable. It is something he is incredibly ashamed of.”

Judge Jon Close said it was a ‘cruel and depressing irony’ that an area near the cenotaph, which is ‘designed to commemorate the war dead’ had been defaced.

Wales Online

Two men who threw objects and banged on doors of asylum-seeker hotel jailed

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September 5, 2024
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Kieron Marney and Clive Patfield were part of a group who also shouted abuse at people inside the hotel, police said.

Two men who banged on doors and hurled a bike at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Hampshire have been jailed.

Kieron Marney, 25, of Ash, threw a bike and other objects and pulled at window blinds at the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on July 31.

Clive Patfield, 60, of Farnham, also attended the 200-strong gathering and was part of a group banging on the doors, Hampshire Police said.

The force said video footage was played to Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday showing their violent disorder, which they pleaded guilty to at the hearing.

Marney was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and Patfield was jailed for two years.

It comes after officers launched an investigation and charged seven men and a teenage girl with violent disorder.

Two other men at the Aldershot protest also pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Wednesday and will be sentenced at a later date.

Alby Brannan, 18, of Ash, and Cameron Bowling, 41, of Farnborough, will be sentenced on November 29 and September 23 respectively.

A fifth man at the hearing on Wednesday, Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Farnborough, pleaded not guilty and a trial has been set for April 14 next year.

A 29-year-old man, Perrie Fisher, who rode a children’s scooter before throwing it at the hotel and telling a police officer to f*** off was jailed for 29 months at Winchester Crown Court on August 21.

A 13-year-old girl, from Aldershot, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder over the same incident at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court and will be sentenced there on September 30.

In a separate hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, a 41-year-old man pleaded guilty to four counts of assaulting an emergency worker, affray and a racially aggravated public order offence at the hotel on August 3.

Steven Tiquin, of Aldershot, assaulted officers, including one who had to go to hospital with a minor injury.

He will be sentenced on September 13.

Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: “While the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful, the men involved in disorder chose to act in an aggressive manner.

“I hope the sentences that Patfield and Marney received highlight that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. It is a clear message that these actions have consequences.

“This should serve as a warning to anyone else considering trying to bring mindless violence to our streets and that the minority who seek to cause disorder will face the full force of the law.”

Evening Standard

Girl, 16, threw vodka bottle at police during far-right protest

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September 5, 2024
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The girl, who cannot be named, was given a 12-month intensive referral order when she appeared at Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday.

A 16-year-old girl who threw a bottle of vodka at a police officer and made a Nazi salute during riots in Plymouth was involved in “violent thuggery”, a district judge has said.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of her age, avoided custody when she was given a 12-month intensive referral order at Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday.

District judge Joanna Matson heard the girl joined an anti-immigration protest in Plymouth on August 5, which saw widespread disruption in the city, with police officers attacked and businesses closed.

The judge was shown video footage filmed on police body-worn cameras of the girl throwing an item at police officers in Plymouth on August 5.

In another clip, she could be seen getting in the way of a police van attempting to attend the scene.

The court also heard that she performed a Nazi salute.

Judge Matson told the girl: “You have pleaded guilty to your involvement in the violent disorder that took place on Plymouth Royal Parade.

“It can only be described as appalling, violent thuggery, it brought the city centre to a standstill, it had a very significant impact on the people that were there, not least the police who were trying to control the disorder.”

She added: “You threw a bottle which hit an officer who was there doing his duty, trying to prevent this awful disorder. I also note you did a Nazi salute, that’s a racist and hugely offensive sign – there’s no place in our society for people to make signs like that.

“You said you didn’t know what it meant, if that was the case why did you do it?

“Even if you didn’t, why would you make a sign if you didn’t know what it means?

“It’s clearly a horrific symbol of racism.”

She told the girl that had she been older, she likely would have faced a custodial sentence.

Addressing the court, the girl, who has no previous convictions, said: “It was really bad what I’ve done, I was really childish.

“I was drunk, and it was the heat of the moment and I’m sorry for that.”

She told the judge she had not intended to get involved in the far-right protest and got “caught up in it”.

The judge also ordered her family to pay a £26 surcharge.

Two other teenagers, both 17-year-old boys, were also sentenced at Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday for their involvement in the disruption.

One was seen on the Royal Parade throwing a missile and a traffic cone at counter-protesters.

Judge Matson said the video shown to the court showed that he was “clearly on the front line, getting involved”, telling him he participated in a “widespread act of violence”.

The boy, who had no previous convictions, was given a referral order for nine months and was told he must get to grips with his cannabis use.

The other 17-year-old boy was described as having been “prolific throughout”, putting his middle finger up at police officers, throwing a can and resisting being moved back.

He was also filmed on the Royal Parade chanting “we want our country back”.

The judge said she accepted there was “significant trauma” in his life but told him he could not blame immigrants for his personal situation.

The teenager was given a 12-month referral order and a curfew for three months.

Evening Standard