Refugee among men jailed for part in disorder

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August 30, 2024
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A refugee has been jailed for attacking a car and setting tyres on fire during recent disorder.

Abderrahim Elmuoden, 20, of Wilmslow Close in North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage, violent disorder, arson and two counts of burglary following the disorder in Hull city centre on 3 August.

Elmuoden, who fled Morocco for a new life in the UK, was sentenced to 45 months in prison at Hull Crown Court earlier.

Judge John Thackray KC said the defendant’s “particular part” in “12 hours of hate-fuelled mob violence” included attacking a car with a shopping trolley while three men inside “feared for their lives”.

Elmuoden was also seen on CCTV throwing tyres on a fire outside a garage and “left them to burn”, where nearby the judge said “the occupants, including children, were left to cower”.

Prosecutor Jeremy Evans also showed footage of Elmuoden, who appeared in court with the support of an interpreter, looting the O2 and Shoezone stores.

In mitigation for Elmuoden, barrister Rachel Scott said he had left Morocco after his mother died in 2021, as he had no other family there.

She said he was “sorry for his offending” and “in his own words, has ruined his life”.

She told the court he had been in Hull to visit his fiancée, and had been drinking before heading to meet a friend, at which point he got “caught up” in the disorder.

Mrs Scott told the court her client “did not hold racist views” and was now worried about his status as a refugee following the conviction.

Also jailed for his part in the disorder was Scott Rushworth, 33, of Lambwath Hall Court in Hull.

Appearing at Hull Crown Court earlier for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder, the court heard Rushworth had been part of of a group who attacked a police officer and took their shield.

Rushworth could be seen posing with the shield on CCTV footage shown in court.

In mitigation for Rushworth, his defence barrister said their client was an “excellent father” who “did not hold racist views”, but was “disgusted by himself” for the part he played in the disorder.

Sentencing Rushworth to 28 months in prison, Judge Thackray said the footage he had seen was “horrifying and depressing”, and said 11 officers had been injured in the disorder – including one who had been “permanently scarred”.

The judge said Rushworth, who had a history of offending including a football banning order, was “at one point at the front of the disorder”, and was “in the thick of it” when the officer was “tackled to the ground”.

Rushworth also received a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from gathering with others in a way people might find intimidating.

Orders removed and adjusted

Also at Hull Crown Court earlier, several defendants who were previously handed CBOs had them removed.

The review came after it was highlighted to the judge that many of the defendants did not meet the criteria as their previous offending did not warrant it.

Judge Thackray removed five-year CBOs previously handed out to the following defendants:

John Honey, 25

Stuart Randall, 55

Connor Whitely, 26

Jermaine Glover, 23

Jordan Murray, 26

Two defendants, David Buckle, 39, and Steven Love, 41, had their orders upheld but the date of the orders was brought back to the day they were sentenced rather than the date they leave prison.

One defendant, Christopher Douglas, 35, needed his order changed by Judge Bury, so a hearing was arranged for 9 September.

One final defendant, David Wilkinson, 46, did not appear for the hearing so will be called back at a later date for his hearing.

BBC News

‘No regrets’ rioter jailed for hotel disorder

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August 30, 2024
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A man who told police he had “no regrets” after taking part in a riot in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Brad Westerman was filmed throwing items through a window of the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The 24-year-old, of Washington Road in Goldthorpe, Barnsley, previously admitted a charge of violent disorder.

Sentencing him at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said Westerman had “wrecked his own life”.

Westerman was arrested when police went to detain his friend and co-rioter Jordan Teal, who was at the same house.

Judge Richardson said the violence carried out by people such as Westerman was so severe, some injured police officers had still not returned to work.

Video was played to the court which showed Westerman jumping around in his grey hoody and shorts.

He was present when a bin was thrown through a window at the hotel, with the prosecution saying he was “front and centre” during the violence.

During the window fitter’s arrest, he told officers he had “no regrets for what he had done”.

The judge said this “vile attitude… reveals your mindset”.

The case was held without Westerman’s friends and family in the court following previous disorder in the public gallery when people were shouting during the hearing.

‘Truly shocking’

During the violence, 64 police officers were injured with some not having returned to duty, Judge Richardson said.

Three police horses and a police dog were also injured and have since returned to work.

“The fact that that number of police officers were injured and the police animals were also injured is a measure of how serious this incident was,” the judge added.

Westerman was told during sentencing that people in the hotel were “fearful for their lives” during the “truly shocking and outrageous incident”.

“You richly deserve it,” the judge added, as he jailed Westerman.

BBC News

Man jailed for throwing punches during city-centre disorder

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August 30, 2024
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A self-employed businessman who punched a woman and threw a can at police during disorder in a city centre has been jailed for three years.

Ashley Harris, 36, of Chipperfield Drive, Kingswood, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after his “significant” role in the unrest in Bristol on 3 August.

The disorder occurred when hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park.

Footage played to Bristol Crown Court showed Harris clashing with police and counter protesters, throwing punches, hurling a can at police, and encouraging others to join in.

Harris is the 11th person to be jailed for their involvement in the unrest, with a total of 41 people arrested so far and 28 having been charged.

Widespread disorder broke out across England after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July, with false claims spread online about the person responsible.

The court was told how Harris was involved in early altercations in Castle Park before punching a female counter-protester outside the Mercure Hotel, which was believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Jailing Harris for three years, Judge James Patrick said: “Right at the start of the protest you were in Castle Park, squaring up to the police officers and were aggressive to others.

“As the police attempted to maintain order you were front and centre of what was going on as the crowd chanted, ‘We want our country back’.

“You threw a can at police officers and only backed off when police dogs forced the crowd back.”

Judge Patrick added Harris was “swearing at police officers and goading them” outside the hotel, before “throwing a punch at a woman”.

The court was also told how Harris was struck on the head by a flying object as he “charged” at a group of counter-protestors.

“The footage I have seen shows you strike out at a number of people, you were encouraging the group and at the front and centre of the movement towards the Mercure,” Judge Patrick said.

“You were significantly more involved than others. You participated in widespread acts of violence which was persistent and sustained.

“I note that you are sorry and ashamed. I hope that is true and simply not hollow words,” he added.

BBC News

Man who spread racial hatred online spared jail

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August 30, 2024
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A man who spread racial hatred online has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Nathan Thompson, 25, from Newcastle, had previously admitted nine counts of inciting racial hatred and two malicious communications offences between April and July last year.

Using two accounts on Twitter, now known as X, he shared and reposted offensive, extreme right-wing messages about religious groups, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Thompson thanked Judge Julie Clemitson for giving him a chance, to which she replied: “Make sure you don’t waste it.”

Sentencing, Judge Clemiston told Thompson his posts celebrated Hitler, fascists and those who had committed terror attacks around the world.

She said: “Each homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, antisemitic, racist or fascist tweet fans the flames of division and hatred.”

But she did not impose an immediate custodial sentence, saying Thompson had “borderline” learning difficulties and was isolated, spending a great deal of time in his bedroom on his computer.

The judge imposed a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with a series of requirements including that his use of the internet should be closely monitored by police or probation officers.

‘Wholly inappropriate’

At a previous hearing, Gregg Stephens, defending, said: “He is a young lad who is quite isolated and socially vulnerable.

“He has mental health issues, doesn’t mix with people and spends a lot of time on his computer.

“He has got himself connected to this right-wing stuff which you can find online.”

Mr Stephens said what was posted went well beyond expressing free speech and Thompson, of Whickham View, now realised it was “wholly inappropriate”.

“He doesn’t necessarily believe in the things he has been putting online, he has been misguided, rather than someone who is a genuine danger,” he added

BBC News

Man jailed for encouraging people to target police

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August 30, 2024
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A man has been jailed for social media posts encouraging people to target police ahead of planned disorder.

Stuart Burns, 41, from Carlisle, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was found guilty of two offences under Section 127 of the Communications Act.

Cumbria Police said Burns uploaded posts encouraging people to channel anger towards the police, and destroy police vehicles and equipment ahead of a planned protest in Carlisle.

He was sentenced to 14 weeks in custody.

The convictions related to two posts between 2 and 6 August.

There was violence in towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland over the summer, fuelled by misinformation online, the far right and anti-immigration sentiment.

At the time, action appeared to be planned in Carlisle, but nothing major ever came from it.

Ch Supt Carl Patrick said: “Our officers should not come to work with the fear of being assaulted.

“Targeting officers not only has a significant impact on the officers concerned and their families, but this means they are removed from the front-line work.”

BBC News

Nuclear industry worker jailed after laughing during Southport disorder

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August 30, 2024
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Gavin Pinder, 47, has been jailed for two years and four months.

A “highly-paid” nuclear power industry worker who laughed as he took part in disorder outside a mosque in Southport has been jailed for two years and four months.

More than 50 police officers were injured and a carrier was set alight during riots outside Southport mosque on July 30, the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Gavin Pinder, 47, had a “highly paid, responsible job” at the Hinkley Point power station in Somerset, but had been at his home in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, spending time with family when he said he was contacted by an associate who made him aware of a protest that was to take place in Southport.

Michael Johnson, defending, said Pinder believed the protest was focused on the belief that “something was being held back from the public in relation to the identity or circumstances of the person who had been detained” following the knife attack.

He said Pinder, who admitted violent disorder, had travelled to Southport and congregated with others in a pub.

“He understood the focus of the protest was to be a police station where he believed the detainee to be held. He did not know that a mosque was going to be the focus of the protest and didn’t learn that until he arrived back in Manchester the day after,” Mr Johnson said.

Footage of the disorder showed Pinder shout at officers, throw a traffic cone and throw a smaller object towards them.

He was arrested at a pub in Manchester on August 17 and in interview told police he had been struck by an officer with a baton after asking why they were not releasing information about the suspect.

The court heard Pinder, father to a four-year-old, had 10 previous convictions, including for breaching an international football banning order.

Sentencing him, Judge Simon Medland KC said: “You threw two objects at police, were clearly seen to be laughing and taking the view, perhaps, this had a recreational element to you.

“How this sits with the character references in your case and your highly responsible, very well-paid job is difficult to reconcile.”

He was jailed along with Jonathan Duerden, 31, and Joseph Buckley, 44, who also admitted violent disorder.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said Duerden, a handyman from Colne, Lancashire, threw a brick that bounced off the top of a police carrier and encouraged the crowd to advance towards police.

He told police he travelled to Southport to lay flowers at a vigil, but said he had taken a cocktail of drugs including cannabis, ketamine and cocaine along with alcohol.

Andrew McInnes, defending, told the court the defendant had ADHD, was barely literate or numerate and his family believed he had been addicted to cannabis since the age of 13.

He said: “It certainly seems this defendant is more of a follower than a leader.”

Duerden was jailed for two years.

The court heard Buckley, of Litherland, Merseyside, was the joint owner of a civil engineering business and was seen on footage throwing a brick around a corner towards police.

In interview, he said he had thrown the brick because he was angry after an officer “assaulted him with a shield”.

Des Lennon, defending, said Buckley had believed he was going to a peaceful vigil but had stayed for about two hours after violence broke out because of “morbid curiosity”.

Jailing him for 16 months, Judge Medland said: “You are an intelligent and capable person and you could readily have left. You didn’t, you involved yourself in this.”

Evening Standard

Man who threw bottles at police jailed for three years

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August 29, 2024
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A man who threw glass bottles and cans at police officers during a protest has been jailed for three years.

John Matthews, 30, of Knowle, was part of a group which used or threatened violence and caused others to fear for their safety during the unrest in Bristol city centre on 3 August.

The judge at Bristol Crown Court said Matthews was part of a “violent mob” which had been spurred on by false information following events in Southport.

He is the 10th person to be jailed for their involvement in the violent disorder, with a total of 41 people arrested so far and 28 having been charged.

‘Shameful scenes’

A number of demonstrations took place across England after high tensions over the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

The protests turned volatile after false claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker, who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Matthews was caught on CCTV footage throwing punches and trying to break the police line.

Det Ch Insp Clement Goodwin called Matthew’s behaviour on that day “completely disgraceful”.

“He showed an utter disregard for the safety of members of the public and police officers and I’m pleased that he has now received a lengthy prison sentence,” said Mr Goodwin. ”

Attended in ‘support of the NHS’

Rachel Stitt, defending Matthews, said the defendant suffered from ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder and had been the victim of stabbings several times.

She said he had described his decision to attend as “stupid” and that “he intended to peacefully protest in support of the NHS and the help they gave his grandmother”.

She told the court that things “escalated” once her client had been hit with CS gas, which “exacerbated his underlying mental health conditions” and led to his losing “his temper”.

‘Public entitled to a break from you’

Handing down his sentence Judge Patrick said “it is difficult to see how anybody could be in Bristol on a Saturday evening protesting in support of the National Health Service.”

He added: “This was persistent lawlessness and much of it in the name of patriotism.”

He said Matthews had a “bad record of offending”, telling him: “I have regard to prison overcrowding but very simply put the public are entitled to a break from you and your criminal behaviour and that’s what the public are going to get.”

Det Ch Insp Clement Goodwin added: “We are continuing to investigate the shameful scenes we saw on that day and we will continue to make more arrests and charge those responsible to ensure they face justice.”

On Thursday, another three men were charged with violent disorder for their role in the unrest.

Tom Thompson-Arnold, 30, of Clevedon, Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze, and Mohamed Osman, 37, of Easton, were all due to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, charged with violent disorder.

Police are still searching for a number of people involved in the incident, and have released new images, external of people they want to talk to.

BBC News

Grandmother could face jail over violent disorder – judge

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August 29, 2024
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A judge has told a grandmother she should have “no misunderstanding” that her admission of taking part in disorder at a hotel used by asylum seekers could see her jailed.

Vanessa Smith, 42, pleaded guilty to violent disorder outside the hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester, on 31 July.

Smith had gone to the site with her daughter Nevey, who had been pushing her one-year-old son in a pushchair and admitted throwing liquid at police at the hotel at a previous hearing.

The pair will be sentenced in September, with Judge Patrick Field KC warning the grandmother at Manchester Crown Court that “all sentencing options” would be open, including “a custodial sentence”.

Scores of people were seen in a protest outside the hotel, which was part of a wave of disorder which swept across the country in the aftermath of a knife attack in Southport on 29 July, which left three children dead.

The court heard that Smith, like her daughter, had no previous convictions and had caring responsibilities for an 11-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son, both of whom had health issues.

Adjourning the hearing until 26 September and bailing Smith, Judge Field said whoever decided her fate would have “all sentencing options open to him or her”.

“That must include a custodial sentence, so there must be no misunderstanding<" he added.

Smith's daughter Nevey, who admitted violent disorder at the same court on 19 August, is due to be sentenced in 23 September.

BBC News

‘Checkpoint’ rioter joins girlfriend and her mum in court over violent disorder on Teesside

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August 29, 2024
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Jake Wray, Megan Davison and Amanda Walton appeared at Teesside Crown Court

A rioter who set up a “checkpoint” in Middlesbrough to ask drivers if they were English joined his girlfriend and her mum in court for their part in violent disorder on Teesside.

The trio pleaded guilty to violent disorder in the Middlesbrough riots on August 4.

Amanda Walton, 53, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday, via video link from Low Newton prison. She admitted throwing a missile at a building and causing damage to a car mirror. Her barrister asked the court for a pre-sentence report to be carried out before she is sentenced. Walton, of Ashling Way in Middlesbrough, will be back in court on September 23.

Minutes later, Walton’s daughter, Megan Davison, 24, pleaded guilty to violent disorder within the same riot. Davison was captured on CCTV on Parliament Road; she was seen jumping up and down on the roof of a car.

The court heard that the mum-of-two has had previous problems with substance misuse; her barrister Tabitha Buck, asked for a pre-sentence report. Davison, of Seaton Street in central Middlesbrough, will also be sentenced on September 23.

Megan Davison’s boyfriend, Jake Wray, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder in the Middlesbrough riots. The 23-year-old set up a “checkpoint” and asked drivers if they were “white” or “English.” Wray, who lives with Megan Davison on Seaton Street, was captured on video allowing white or “English” drivers to pass. He was under a suspended sentence when he committed his new offence. He will be sentenced on October 14.

Evan Wilkins-Doyle, 19 pleaded guilty to violent disorder within the Hartlepool riots. Wilkins-Doyle, of The Spinney in West Park, Hartlepool, appeared in court via video link from Durham prison, and was told he will be sentenced on September 20.

Lisa Davison, 31, also appeared in the dock. She pleaded guilty to violent disorder within the Hartlepool riots on July 31. Davison, of Lister Street in Hartlepool, was told that she will be sentenced on September 18, after the probation service has carried out a pre-sentence report. She was remanded into custody until then.

Dylan Willis, 18, admitted violent disorder after he was captured lobbing a brick through a glass door, from a Middlesbrough street filled with rioters. Willis was captured on camera wearing sunglasses and a gold chain. He later handed himself into police. Willis, of Masefield Road in Hartlepool, will be sentenced on September 2.

Gazette Live

TikTok teen who ‘live streamed’ Darlington disorder in court

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August 29, 2024
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A teenager who live streamed violent disorder in Darlington has pleaded guilty to his role when he appeared in court.

Brandon Welch broadcast the disturbance through his TikTok account when the trouble flared on August 5.

The teen was accused of using racist language and encouraging people to smash up property in the North Lodge Park area of Darlington.

Welch was also accused of making plans to be involved in further disorder and is alleged to have been part of a Snapchat conversation called ‘Riots’.

Today, the 18-year-old, of Warkworth Way, Darlington, pleaded guilty to violent disorder when he appeared via a video link at Teesside Crown Court.

The court heard the defendant was of previous good character and had not been in trouble with the police before.

Judge Francis Laird KC said: “You have pleaded guilty to violent disorder. I won’t sentence you today because I think it’s important that I know a lot more about you when it comes to sentence.

“What little I have been told, suggests to me that a pre-sentence report is very important in your case.

“Can I say to you now, that whatever sentence I decide is appropriate for you, based on the seriousness of the offence, balancing your personal circumstances, you will receive 25 per cent reduction in your sentence to recognise your guilty plea.”

The teenager was remanded into custody until October 14 for sentence.

Northern Echo