More than 200 people sentenced for offences linked to recent disorder

By
September 5, 2024
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Just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

More than 200 people have now been sentenced for offences in connection with the disorder that broke out in parts of the country following the knife attack at a Southport dance studio on July 29 that left three girls dead.

Here are some of the key statistics:

– How many people have been sentenced?

The PA news agency has compiled details of 202 people who had been sentenced as of September 5.

– What is the age range of the people sentenced?

The oldest person to have been sentenced is William Morgan, 69, of Walton in Merseyside, who was jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon – a cosh – during unrest in Liverpool on August 3, in which police were attacked and a library was set on fire.

The youngest is a 13-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, who received a 12-month youth referral order for throwing missiles as part of a mob that besieged a Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

Some 21 of the 202 people sentenced are under 21, or 10% of the total. This includes two under 18: the 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.

A further 20 (10%) are aged 21 to 24, while 34 (17%) are aged 25 to 29.

This means just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

Some 62 people sentenced, or just under a third of the total (31%), are aged 30 to 39, while 39 (19%) are aged 40 to 49, 17 (8%) aged 50 to 59 and nine (4%) aged 60 and over.

– How many people have been sent to jail?

A total of 193 of the 202 people received immediate custodial sentences.

Of the nine others, four received suspended jail sentences, two were fined, two received community orders and one received a referral order.

– What is the longest jail sentence so far?

Six years, which was handed to David Wilkinson, 48, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, attempted arson and racially aggravated criminal damage for his role in the disturbances in the city on August 3.

The next longest jail term was given to John Honey, 25, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, racially aggravated criminal damage and violent disorder during the August 3 unrest in the city, for which he received a sentence of four years and eight months.

A jail term totalling three years and six months was handed to Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze in Bristol, comprising 34 months for violent disorder plus eight months for breaching a sexual harm prevention order, for his role in an anti-immigration protest that turned violent in the city on August 3.

– What is the shortest jail sentence so far?

Seven weeks, given to Jake Grainger-Quinn, 29, who pleaded guilty to a public order offence in Whitehall in central London on July 31, when he was part of a crowd rushing at and pushing against a police cordon.

– What is the average length of jail sentences?

The average is 24 months.

– What is the most common offence for which people have been sentenced?

Violent disorder. Some 157 of the 202 people sentenced so far had been charged with violent disorder, either by itself or in combination with other charges.

Other charges that have led to jail sentences include assaulting emergency workers, possession of a knife or sharp object in a public place, publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and causing racially aggravated intentional harassment.

– Which police forces account for the most number of people sentenced?

Five police forces together account for more than half of those sentenced: Merseyside (15% of the total), South Yorkshire (12%), Humberside (10%) Avon & Somerset (8%) and Cleveland (7%).

Evening Standard

Teen handed in by mum after riot avoids detention

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

A 15-year-old boy who was handed into police by his mother has been given a 12-month referral order, despite a judge saying “detention was thoroughly deserved”.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary of Hull’s Lush store during disorder in the city centre on 3 August.

The boy’s mother recognised her son from a police appeal and took him to Clough Road Police Station to hand himself in.

In CCTV footage shown in court, the boy was seen throwing large items including orange barriers at police.

‘Not a video game’

Dressed smartly in a white shirt and black trousers, the boy was allowed to have his mother and stepfather sit by his side during the hearing, a privilege given to defendants during a youth court.

Speaking in court, the boy’s mother said her son was a “quiet boy” who only had one friend and they were not outgoing. She said he “normally went fishing or played video games”.

However, Judge Mark Daley said the disorder the boy took part in “was real life though, and people got hurt”.

He added: “It may have felt like a video game, but it’s not like there was a mob and you were separate from it.

“You were enjoying it. You did not have to do it.”

In mitigation, solicitor David Robson said the boy had expressed remorse and was apologetic for his behaviour.

He added he had “no interest in anything racist or political”, and, during a “unique event”, he got caught up in a “swarm of people”.

Mr Robson described him as “a young man caught up in something exceptional”.

The boy, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, had only been in trouble once previously after a fight at school.

Following the referral order, the boy will now return to school where he will study for his GCSEs. The court heard he had ambitions to join the RAF and work in engineering.

A man was also sentenced on Tuesday after attacking an emergency worker during the unrest on 3 August.

Declan Wild, 26, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault of an emergency worker, violent disorder, racially aggravated assault and burglary.

BBC News

Woman pleads guilty to Southport riot offences

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

A young woman at the forefront of a riot in Southport which followed the killings of three girls in the town has pleaded guilty to three offences.

Ellie Clarke was charged with violent disorder following the incident on 30 July, which took place in the wake of the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

The 21-year-old, who also admitted with assaulting an emergency worker and racially aggravated harassment, repeatedly wept in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences on Wednesday and was remanded in custody to appear at the city’s crown court on Tuesday.

‘Racial hate element’

Andrew Page, prosecuting, told the court that a large group had gathered in Sussex Road near a mosque in the evening and there was a confrontation with police officers in riot gear.

“Miss Clarke can clearly be seen on CCTV at the front of a group who are confronting the police. She was pacing up and down for a long time. At one point she walked up to the line of police officers.”

Mr Page told the court she then shouted at police a series of racial slurs.

She was seen to strike an officer’s riot shield, the court heard.

Opposing bail Mr Page said the racial hate element was an aggravating factor.

Terry Naylor, defending, applied for bail and said Clarke, of Chestnut Street, Southport, had no previous convictions and had handed herself in to police after a photograph of her was circulated in the media.

“She accepts she may be facing a sentence of immediate custody of some length.”

District Judge Paul Healey refused bail and sent the case to crown court.

BBC News

Two men jailed over violent disorder at protest

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

Two men have been jailed for using or threatening violence during a protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

They were among seven men who appeared at Winchester Crown Court over the demonstration in Aldershot on 31 July.

Kieron Marney 25, of Fairview Road, Ash, was sentenced to 27 months, and Clive Patfield, 60, of The Chantrys, Farnham, was jailed for two years.

Judge Rufus Taylor said the asylum seekers would have been petrified and some remain too scared to leave the hotel.

Cameron Bowling, 40, of Broadhurst in Farnborough, also pleaded guilty to the same offence and will be sentenced on 23 September.

Pre-sentence psychological reports have been ordered for Joe Howell, 19, of Bareham Drive in Ash, Surrey, and Alby Brannan, 18, of Winchester Road, Ash.

They also admitted the same charge and will be sentenced on 29 November.

Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Montgomery Road, Farnborough, pleaded not guilty to using or threatening violence and will stand trial on 14 April 2025.

A police officer was injured when disorder broke out at the demonstration involving about 200 people.

Last month a 13-year-old girl pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the protests.

Steven Tiquin, 41, of Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, also appeared and pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting two police constables and two police staff investigators.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of using or threatening violent behaviour and racially aggravated harassment against a female police officer.

The charges relate to an incident at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on 3 August, when police were carrying out routine enquiries following the protests.

A police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Tiquin was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 13 September.

There were outbreaks of violence in other towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland, including Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.

It followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest believed to be fuelled by misinformation online.

BBC News

His ‘curiosity and stupidity’ led him straight into a prison cell

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

Anthony Buck says he was hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed after launching missiles towards them

A dad’s “curiosity” led to him being hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed twice.

Anthony Buck says that he was met with such retaliation after launching four missiles towards PCs when scenes of violence erupted in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice DaSilva Aguiar.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that a 1,000-strong crowd descended on the Southport Islamic Society Mosque on the evening of July 30 this year, the day after the killings, and chanted “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b****rds” and “who the f*** is Allah?”. Items being hurled towards officers led to more than 50 being injured, while residents’ properties were “significantly” damaged and one police van was destroyed by fire at a cost of £100,000.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Buck was seen on CCTV in close proximity to Windsor Mini Mart as the shop was looted, with cigarettes, crates of beer and bottles of spirits being taken from inside after the shutters were ripped open. The 52-year-old, formerly of Shakespeare Street, was said to have been “front and centre” as entry was forced to the premises, although he did not enter the store.

Footage also captured him launching objects towards the police four times in quick succession in his “distinctive” blue Berghaus top. Buck was subsequently arrested at Southport Police Station on August 29.

Under interview, he “admitted throwing several small rocks or stones” and said he was “under the influence of drink” at the time. The defendant told detectives that he had been “PAVA sprayed twice and hit with a baton four times” and said he was “agitated”.

Buck meanwhile stated that he could not remember anything he had shouted at the scene, but maintained that it “would not have been racist chanting” as he was “not a racist”. He also said he had filmed the events on his mobile phone, but later deleted the footage.

His criminal record shows a total of 23 previous convictions for 32 offences dating back to 1986. This includes an entry for wounding without intent in 1994 and receiving 27 months for possession of heroin with intent to supply in August 2021.

Buck was originally released from this term in July 2022, but was subsequently recalled on licence in February 2023 before being freed again in November last year. Simon Christie, defending, told the court: “He bitterly regrets his part in the serious violent disorder on the streets of Southport.

“The defendant is a native of Southport. He is not one of those who travelled to the scene. He is seen undisguised on the footage. He instructs that he went to the crowd out of curiosity and then, out of pure stupidity, allowed himself to get involved and remained at the scene, and he threw a number of objects towards the police.

“He has responsibilities at home. He has two children, aged 12 and 13, who are being looked after by family members. Having seen the footage, he is quite simply appalled at what he did.

“He is proud of the town and cannot rationally explain why he become involved in it. He quite inexplicably not only got involved, he stayed there for an appreciable period of time – albeit the violence was concentrated into a relatively short period of time.”

Buck admitted violent disorder. Appearing in the dock wearing a black North Face t-shirt, he nodded as he was jailed for 28 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “A mob which became a thousand strong gathered near to the mosque. Without any justification at all, the mob attacked the mosque and its community – who were completely blameless – and the police, who were, in the eyes of the mob, at fault for trying to protect those who were their targets.

“The mob laid siege to the police line. There was a violent confrontation. In years passed, it would probably have been described as a pitched battle and it lasted a considerable amount of time.

“The events which you were part of sparked a series of incidents of mob violence in other places in the days and weeks which followed, the consequences being far reaching – not just for the people of Southport, but for the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder which causes injury, damage and fear to communities will, as you now appreciate, inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Liverpool Echo

Boy, 13, threw firework and stones at police during hotel rioting

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

The teenager, who cannot be named, avoided custody.

A 13-year-old boy who threw a lit firework and stones at police during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers “willingly and enthusiastically” joined in the disorder, a district judge has said.

The teenager, who cannot be named, avoided custody when he was given a 12-month youth referral order at Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday.

District Judge James Gould heard how the teenager joined a mob which besieged the Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

The youngster was filmed multiple times by police body-worn cameras throwing missiles at officers with shields outside the Holiday Inn Express.

In one clip, the boy was caught being handed a firework, which he lit and threw.

This fell just short of the officers’ shields, the court heard.

Judge Gould told the boy: “Whatever was within your reach you threw at police officers, including numerous stones.

“You willingly and enthusiastically took part in that disorder.”

He said: “You participated in that disorder at the highest level.”

Judge Gould said: “You asked for a firework, you lit it and you used it as a missile.”

The judge said the boy told the author of a pre-sentence report that he found it “exciting”.

He also ordered the boy’s family to pay a £26 statutory surcharge.

The disorder at Manvers led to 64 officers, three police horses and a police dog being injured as hundreds of protesters surrounded the hotel.

At one point some people got inside the building and tried to set it alight.

More than 30 people have now been sentenced for their part in the disorder in Manvers.

On Wednesday at Sheffield Youth Court, two others teenagers admitted being part of the violence.

A 17-year-old from the Rotherham area and a 16-year-old from Barnsley pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The 17-year-old was bailed to appear at the same court for sentencing on October 2.

Judge Gould also bailed the 16-year-old and ordered him to appear for sentencing at Barnsley Youth Court on October 15.

Another 17-year-old, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, appeared for sentencing before Judge Gould on Wednesday but had his case adjourned until September 18.

No details of these defendants’ involvement in the disorder was outlined in court on Wednesday.

Evening Standard

‘Lonely’ yob took advantage of Middlesbrough riot to raid Chinese takeaway and steal cash from till

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

A “lonely” yob who “craved to be part of a group” jumped up and down “goading” a burglar to steal a till as hundreds caused chaos in Middlesbrough.

Burglar Bradley Playford “took advantage” of the town centre riots to steal from the Red Lantern restaurant. The 24-year-old was caught on CCTV throwing missiles at the windows of the Middlesbrough eatery before using his arm, then a bottle, to remove smashed glass from the door frame.

The Grove Hill man was later seen smashing the till from the Chinese takeaway – before sharing his loot with another burglar.

However, as the protest reached Clarendon Road items were thrown and police officers made the decision to form a line to prevent the mob from entering the road. Violence then erupted leading to windows being smashed, businesses damaged and missiles thrown.

At around 3.30pm, items were thrown at the Red Lantern restaurant on Parliament Road. The eatery was closed at the time and nobody was inside.

Playford, who was wearing red shorts, was caught on CCTV throwing items at the window causing it to smash. He then walks up to the door and uses his arm to remove smashed glass. He then comes back with a bottle to remove more glass from the sides of the door.

He is then spotted “jumping up and down and goading” another male to steal the till from inside the restaurant, Ms Masters said. The court is then shown another video, which was uploaded to TikTok with the caption ‘Middlesbrough has fallen’, showing Playford smashing the till on the floor before taking out money from inside the till.

In a victim personal statement, the owners daughter stated that they were “very frightened” and the damage to the restaurant was still being assessed. The owners were forced to close the eatery following the burglary.

‘Misguided desperation’

Jonathan Gittins, mitigating, stated that there was “no planning to go out and commit this offence” and it is the first time his client has been in trouble with the courts. The defence barrister described Playford as a “lonely and isolated individual”, adding that he suffers from mental health issues and “bullying”.

He added that Playford went to the protest to “see what was happening”, describing his actions as “opportunistic and impulsive”. The court heard that it was ‘misguided desperation to belong to a bad group’.

Mr Gittins added that Playford has lost his job and home due to his ‘stupid involvement in the shameful incident’. He added that his client’s actions were “out of character and baffling”.

His Honour Judge Francis Laird KC told Playford that he “encouraged” the unidentified male to enter the restaurant and steal the till. He also added that Playford stole money from the till and shared it with the male.

Judge Laird stated that Playford “craved to be one of the group” and took advantage of the disorder to “loot a restaurant”. Playford, of Shelley Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, was jailed for eight months.

MSN

‘Abusive’ wind turbine worker bitten by police dog after hurling brick at officers during riot

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

John Barton, a wind turbine worker, threw a brick at police officers during the violent protest on Murray Street, in Hartlepool

An “aggressive and abusive” Teesside rioter was bitten by a police dog after he refused to move away from officers.

John Barton, who was “struggling” with his break up, met up with his pals in Hartlepool town centre for a drink on July 31. The dad then attended Murray Street with the group where hundreds had gathered for the violent protest.

The 33-year-old – who claimed he hadn’t done anything to police – had actually hurled a brick at police officers who were called in to control the growing mob. Prosecutor Rachel Masters told Teesside Crown Court that the evidence against Barton, who has a three-year-old daughter, was “overwhelming” and that he pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

The Middlesbrough court heard that on July 31 Cleveland Police were alerted to a number of social media posts circulating online that gave details of exact addresses of asylum seekers living in the Teesside area. “Pre-organised protests” were arranged and at 6pm a group gathered at the cenotaph in Hartlepool.

It quickly gathered in size with many members carrying England flags. By 8pm it had turned violent, Ms Masters said.

Barton was one of the men involved in the 200-strong protest – he was “present and participating”. At around 9.20pm on Murray Street, police officers were pushing back the crowd.

A man was seen hurling a brick at police officers and refusing to move back – that man was later identified as Barton. One officer, who had a police dog, “stood his ground”.

Barton was then bit by the dog in the stomach area, Ms Masters told the court. The prosecutor outlined that Barton had met his friends in the pub in the town centre earlier that afternoon for a drink.

They met another friend who told them about the protests which were “something to do with the incident in Southport”. The group then left the town centre and attended Murray Street where Barton was spotted “throwing items at police”. Ms Masters stated that in a police interview Barton claimed he hadn’t done anything and had been bitten by a police dog.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, stated that Barton’s “best mitigation” was that he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and that he has “genuine remorse”. The court heard that Barton’s time in custody has been a “sobering experience” as he has never been in custody before.

Ms Kitson-Parker added that her client has three previous convictions for four offences. “It is the biggest regret of his life,” she added.

At the time of the offence, Barton had broken up with his partner and “struggled” to get over it and had recently found out that his estranged father had died. Ms Kitson-Parker told His Honour Judge Francis Laird KC that Barton has worked in factories and in quality control on wind turbines for the past decade.

Judge Laird told Barton that he chose to take part in the disorder which led to businesses and members of the public “devastated” and “outraged”. He added that Barton was “persistently aggressive and abusive”.

Barton, of of Duke Street, Hartlepool, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Gazette Live

Man livestreamed his crime on Facebook then got his mum to write letter to judge

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

John Lefevre launched a foul-mouthed tirade outside a church


A man livestreamed himself embarking upon a foul-mouthed tirade outside a church on Facebook.

John Lefevre has been warned to expect an immediate prison sentence over his vile rant, in which he called a disabled man a “one armed c***” and accused another victim of having “guns and bombs” in a suitcase.

The 35-year-old, of Albert Road in Widnes, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court via video link to HMP Altcourse this afternoon, Tuesday, charged with racially-aggravated harassment. He spoke to confirm his name before this count was put to him, to which he replied: “Guilty on my video.”

The charge concerns an incident on August 5 this year, which saw Lefevre post a Facebook Live video of himself confronting a group of men and women stood outside Trinity Methodist Church on Peel House Lane in the Cheshire town as it was hosting its weekly support session for refugees and asylum seekers. In the footage, seen by the ECHO, he was shown pointing his mobile phone’s camera in the face of one man while demanding: “Why are you over here lad? Why are you over here lad?”

Lefevre then turns to a man carrying a pink suitcase and asks: “What you got? Guns and bombs in that?”

He thereafter continues: “See that you dirty, greasy c***. I’ve got a picture of you. Didn’t the police let you off with something yesterday? You’re a dirty little b****rd.”

Lefevre is then captured saying to one older woman: “Why are you protecting these? Give me one clear answer. Why do you not look after our homeless that’s begging on our streets?”

He subsequently tells one man “don’t you dare smile at me you dirty, greasy b****rd”, before shouting to another: “You, you one armed c***. What have you done?”

Lefevre was also filmed saying: “Widnes is looking for you. F***ing dirty b****rd. Take all the pictures you want of me. Don’t look after any of our own. Widnes is looking for you lad, f***ing screaming in kids’ faces, banging on little kids’ windows, you f***ing horrible b****rd. Every f***ing one of yous. Why are they here?”

Carmel Wilde, defending, told the court today that her client “has various mental health issues” and “does have some previous convictions”. Lefevre will now be sentenced on September 24.

Recorder David Knifton KC said: “This was a disgraceful incident, not only racially abusive but also abusive to a person about his physical disability. In my view, this is a case which will call for immediate custody. I want the defendant to be under absolutely no illusions about the likely outcome in this case.

“I have read a letter from his mother which says he is not racist. It is patently nonsense. Not only did he video exactly what he did but he then uploaded it to Facebook, where it attracted further comments of a racist nature. All of this was taking place a week after the tragic events in Southport. We know exactly what sort of behaviour that has led to.”

Remanding Lefevre into custody and adjourning the case to enable the preparation of a pre-sentence report and to allow for a victim personal statement to be obtained, the judge added: “This is case which, in my judgement, fully calls for an immediate custodial sentence in light of your disgraceful behaviour outside the Methodist church in Widnes.”

Wearing a Berghaus zip-up top, the defendant began ranting “you just want to hope that lad doesn’t do anything” before being placed on mute by the court clerk.

Liverpool Echo

Teenage rioter sentenced for aggravated words and writing during riots in Blackpool

By
September 4, 2024
Uncategorized

A Blackpool teenager has been sentenced in relation to the Blackpool riots.

Tyla Chalmers-Millington, 18, of Caunce Street was handed a four month prison sentence suspended for 24 months and 40 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge.

Chalmers-Millington was arrested and subsequently charged with racially or religiously aggravated and intentional harassment, alarm or distress in words or writing.

The case was heard at Preston Magistrates Court on September 3.
Blackpoll Gazette