Man who threw brick at police during riot jailed

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August 22, 2024
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A man who joined in racist chants and threw objects at police during disorder in Southport has been jailed.

Tommy Callaghan, 32, of Platt Bridge, Wigan, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse at Liverpool Crown Court.

Footage was played showing him in a “large and aggressive mob” on 30 July, after a vigil had taken place for three girls killed in a knife attack in the town.

Callaghan was sentenced to two years and two months for violent disorder.

The riot broke out after hundreds had gathered for a vigil to remember Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class a day earlier.

Misinformation about the suspect shared online led to disorder in towns and cities across the UK.

Judge Denis Watson KC told Callaghan he was one of those who repeated racist chants “with your left arm and fist raised as you chanted and gesticulated in rhythm” before “surging forward at the police line”.

He added: “You picked up part of a brick, threw it at police, then picked up a second missile even before the first had landed.”

Peter White, defending, said Callaghan had put his gas engineering business, which employs three people, and the mortgaged home he shares with his partner and nine-month-old daughter at risk.

He said Callaghan had travelled to Southport, about 25 miles from his home, to attend the vigil.

Mr White said the defendant had no racially or religiously prejudiced beliefs but had “gone along with the mob”.

BBC News

The dark past of thug who filmed brutal Piccadilly Gardens attack – and the disturbing discovery at his home

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August 22, 2024
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The 52-year-old was in the thick of the disorder in Manchester city centre on August 3

Wearing a black helmet with a mounted camera, Warren Gilchrest watched the chaos unfold from behind a pair of dark sunglasses. Holding aloft recording equipment, the 52-year-old was in the thick of the disorder in Manchester city centre on August 3.

Weaving between the crowds, many thought he was merely an observer. But as a group of thugs set upon a lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens, Gilchrest’s true intentions became clear.

“Kill him… stamp on his f***ing head,” he yelled as a mob attacked the terrified victim. The man was kicked, punched and berated by hooligans intent from the start on causing trouble.

Gilchrest – who runs his own social media channel – describes himself as a ‘freedom fighter’ and ‘critical thinker’. He filmed the sickening attack, and was eventually brought to justice after cops watched the footage.

The video also led to detectives making a disturbing discovery at his home. As Gilchrest was arrested at the property on North Road, Clayton – 10 days after violence flared in the city centre – a hoard of Nazi paraphernalia was found, including images of the Swastika; a depiction of two young, saluting children; and other right-wing flags.

Manchester Crown Court was also told Gilchrest has 18 previous convictions for 67 offences. Up to 31 of those were for sex offences against children under 13. He has 14 offences of failing to comply with the notifications of the sex offender register on his record. Gilchrest was last before the courts in November 2023 for possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, namely two batons.

Gilchrest has now been jailed for three years – and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for five years, banning him from the city centre – having admitted violent disorder in relation to the disorder in Manchester as trouble broke out across the UK.

As the man was attacked, Gilchrest encouraged others to get involved and screamed ‘get him… kill him… stamp on his f******g face’. He hurled vile abuse at cops trying to restore peace, as well as members of the public, including two young Asian women wearing hijabs.

As a large group confronted the women, Gilchrest shouted offensive remarks about Allah. In one video, he was heard joining in with chants of ‘save our kids’. A judge deemed that ‘rank hypocrisy’ as it was revealed Gilchrest had previous convictions for child sex offences.

As he filmed people kicking in the doors of Sainsbury’s store on Mosley Street – and targeting a vape shop – he was heard saying about police who moved them on: “You know why they do that, don’t you? You know why there are so many police for such a short amount of people? Because they are white, that’s it, I’m not being racist, but that’s it.”

Philip Hall, prosecuting, said: “He told officers ‘ethnic groups are running round with swords and machetes and baseball bats, excuse me if you can’t do anything about it’.”

Interviewed by detectives in relation to the video, he said cops had been racist towards white people. In mitigation, he Gilchrest, through his barrister, that he wanted to apologise.

“He feels appropriately embarrassed and ashamed,” Tobias Collins said. “He understands other rioters have received death threats. He is concerned if any of his previous convictions get reported in the press.”

Mr Collins said he was not asking for a reporting restriction banning the reporting of his criminal past, but merely wanted to make the court aware of his client’s concerns. “I have no power regarding that,” Judge Patrick Field KC replied.

Addressing Gilchrest, he said that evidence showed he had ‘deeply unpleasant and frankly a concerning extreme mindset’, adding: “You were motivated by racial and religious hostility and frank misogyny.”

MEN

Six more sentenced for their parts in violent Rotherham riots – including teen turned in by brother

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August 22, 2024
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Among them is a teenager turned in by his own brother

Six more people have appeared in court to be sentenced for their role in the disgraceful riots at the Holiday Inn in Manvers earlier this month.

David Chadwick will now spend more than the next two years behind bars reflecting on his disgraceful behaviour which involved him throwing a large plank of wood at officers. Chadwick was then caught on CCTV throwing a can of alcohol into a police van.

The 36-year-old, of Furlong Road in Barnsley was jailed for two years and eight months when he appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday. His co-defendant, Lee Crisps, 42, was also jailed for his role in the violence outside the hotel on August 4.

Crisps, of Mount Road in Grimethorpe, was seen verbally abusing the occupants of the hotel, and attempted to kick the officers in the cordon before he was arrested at the scene. He was jailed for three years and four months.

Alfie Conway, 19, was also put behind bars after he left a police officer “seriously fearing” for his safety when he began launching bricks and stones at him. Conway, of Park Avenue in South Kirby, Pontefract, was seen repeatedly throwing missiles at the officers protecting the hotel.

He was jailed for two years and three months in a Young Offender’s Institution and handed a 10-year criminal behaviour order

Liam Gray was also part of the group and was jailed for three years in a Young Offenders’ Institution. The 20-year-old, of Manderson Drive in Rotherham helped attack officers protecting the hotel. He resisted arrest and attempted to assault a police constable who said he believed Gray was “intent on causing serious harm” to him.

Two teenagers – a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy – were also sentenced on Tuesday. The 17-year-old will spend his 18th birthday under a detention order after taking part in the violence. He was recorded wearing a face covering throwing large pieces of wood panelling at officers to break the police cordon.

The boy’s decision to then pull his face covering down to shout abuse at officers ultimately led to his face being captured in an online video. This resulted in him being handed in by his own brother.

He was handed a 16-month detention and training order at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court. The 16-year-old was seen by an officer throwing missiles and bottles towards police and police dogs. After being arrested, the boy claimed he had gone for a peaceful protest but it ‘just kicked off’.

This excuse didn’t stop him facing the courts, and after pleading guilty to violent disorder, the 16-year-old was referred to Barnsley Youth Offending Service youth offender panel for a contract having effect for 12 months.

Yorkshire Live

Hull riot: Man who hurled metal bench at police among latest offenders to be jailed

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August 22, 2024
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More prison sentences have been handed out following disorder in the city centre earlier in August



Three more troublemakers arrested after “mob-handed violence” and looting broke out in Hull city centre have become the latest to be jailed.

They include one man who hurled a metal bench, thought to be about 7ft long, at police and two others who were among those in the rowdy group confronting police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, Hull Crown Court heard.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that a large-scale public disorder broke out, including “mob-handed violence” in Ferensway, outside the Royal Hotel, which was housing immigrants and asylum seekers. There was also trouble at a garage and looting at shops in Jameson Street.

David Buckle, 39, of Southgate Way, off Saltshouse Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder. He was jailed for three years and was given a five-year criminal behaviour order.

Buckle was prominent at the front of a group outside the Royal Hotel, in Ferensway, and he was “draped in an England flag and a camouflage balaclava”. He was aggressive and abusive and he was shouting and gesturing towards police and throwing missiles.

He was arrested on the day of the disorder and bailed but he later handed himself in. He made no comment during police interview.

Buckle had convictions for 21 previous offences, including four of assault, two of public disorder and one for drugs. He had been jailed for 16 months for offences including breaching a non-molestation order after an earlier assault.

Michael Forrest, mitigating, said that Buckle felt “utter and complete embarrassment” at what happened during the disturbance and he was “horrified” after hearing about the damage and injuries that were caused by others.

“He has expressed shame for his actions,” said Mr Forrest. Buckle had served two previous prison sentences of one year and of 15 months. He started to abuse crack cocaine, lost his way and began drinking but he later got a job as a security guard at Asda. He had since suffered problems.

Buckle had three children aged 18, 16 and 15 and a stepdaughter aged 24.

Jermaine Glover, 23, of Cranswick Grove, off Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and arson. He was jailed for two years and was given a five-year criminal behaviour order

Glover was aggressive towards police outside the Royal Hotel and he was shouting and gesturing and helping others to push bins into a police cordon. He threw missiles, including a bottle, and he was rushing towards and barging police and encouraging others.

Outside a garage in the Milky Way area, a fire had already started but Glover put a pallet onto a pile and he also put tyres on top of a cordon of tyres created by those involved in the disorder.

During police interview, Glover said that he had been “daft and stupid and disgusting”. He claimed that he acted out of character after drinking. Glover had convictions as a youth for assault and criminal damage but he had been out of trouble since 2017.

Nigel Clive, mitigating, said that Glover had shown remorse, he was not disguised and he did not go into any shops. He went into the city to buy some trainers, saw what was happening, bought and drank some alcohol and, after a “rush of adrenaline”, he “saw a release” and joined in.

“It’s thoroughly disgraceful behaviour,” said Mr Clive. “He knows that and he accepts that.” Glover wanted to apologise to the people of Hull and to those who had to deal with him.

Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, off Holderness Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder, two offences of burglary at the O2 and Greggs stores, and another offence of possessing cannabis. He was jailed for two years and was given a five-year criminal behaviour order.

Murray was “persistently” in various locations during the trouble and he was prominent at the front of the group in Jameson Street, running at police with a long metal bench, which he threw towards the line of police.

He behaved aggressively to police throughout and he was present when a garage was targeted in the Milky Way area. Those at the garage, including children, barricaded themselves inside and were in fear for their safety.

Murray had convictions for 37 previous offences, including four of assault, four of criminal damage and 11 of theft and dishonesty.

Hannah Turner, mitigating, said that Murray claimed that he that he went into the city to buy a game for an Xbox and saw people congregating. He went over to see what was happening and saw a friend. “That friend encouraged him to stay and become involved,” said Miss Turner.

“He hadn’t planned to become part of this violence. He can be easily led and doesn’t think through the consequences of his actions.”

Murray’s involvement was limited to the violence in the Jameson Street area. “He was the one who was encouraged by others and not the other way round,” said Miss Turner.

“He does hold significant regrets. He is disgusted in himself. He feels that he has let himself and his family down.” He wanted to apologise to the emergency services and the council. Murray had been out of trouble since 2020.

Judge John Thackray KC said that the offences were committed as part of “12 hours of racist hate-fuelled mob violence” that had caused “immeasurable harm” and was “utterly deplorable public disorder”.

Hull Daily Mail

Police found knife on man using stop and search powers in Newcastle

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August 22, 2024
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A man who “stupidly” took a knife with him into Newcastle city centre on the day of a recent planned protest and counter-demonstration is now serving his first prison sentence.

Jamie Durham was one of many people made subject of special stop and search powers deployed by Northumbria Police in a bid to deter any unrest on the city centre streets on the day of rival anti-immigration and anti-racism rallies, on Saturday, August 10.

The force was seeking to prevent any repeat of disturbances seen at many such events in towns and cities in the region and across the land, following the killing of three girls in Southport on July 29.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that amid a heavy police presence in the city centre, Durham was searched by officers near to Haymarket Bus Station, at about 10.30am that day.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said the black-handled kitchen knife was found in a pocket of his back pack as were foil-lined bags often used by shop-lifters.

Durham claimed to have forgotten the knife was there, while it was noted by Judge Paul Sloan, The Recorder of Newcastle, that he was also wearing several layers of clothing when stopped.

The 23-year-old defendant, of Lort House, Shieldfield, Newcastle, admitted possession of a knife in public when he appeared before city magistrates days later.

His case was sent to the crown court for sentence.

Mr Ahmad told the sentencing hearing: “He was in possession of a bladed article, committed in circumstances where there was a risk of disorder.”

He said that at the time of his arrest, the defendant was on bail for an alleged incident of affray, involving the use of a bottle, committed in Newcastle on July 27.

Durham was also under investigation for making an alleged racist comment to a police officer, on July 29, last year.

Fiona Lamb, representing the defendant, told the court: “Can I say at the outset that he understands the position he is in, knowing the courts are taking this type of offence very seriously.

“He’s under no illusion as to the type of sentence that is likely to be imposed.

“He has described it as the ‘stupidest’ thing he has ever done.”

Miss Lamb said the defendant was unfamiliar with the criminal justice system, despite having other matters outstanding.

“He looked very lost at the position he was in when I spoke to him in the cells, earlier.”

Miss Lamb said the defendant told her he put the knife in his bag to prevent an aggressive ex-partner of his mother from getting his hands on it, as a preventative measure.

“He was not committing any anti-social behaviour, but it was the morning of the planned protest.”

Miss Lamb said the defendant left school at 14 and has had no employment since the age of 18, when he did some roofing work.

She said he has no issues with alcohol or drugs, despite occasionally using cannabis.

Miss Lamb added that the defendant had found it “sobering” being in HMP Durham on remand and was not looking forward to serving a prison sentence.

Judge Sloan told the defendant that he had offered no plausible explanation for having four layers of clothing on, on what was a sunny summer’s day.

“After the events of previous days, of which you will have been well aware, where incidents of widespread violence and disorder occurred, there were obvious concerns that similar violence should not flare-up in the city centre of Newcastle.

“As a result there was a very large police presence that day and among other powers they employed, stop and search was in force, so when you arrived in the city centre you were stopped and searched.

“It was obvious from what you said to the officers you were fully aware of the planned protests in Newcastle that day, albeit you claimed you were there passing through to go shopping in another location.

“Police found the kitchen knife and on arrest, you claimed you forgot it was there.

“In interview you made no reply and couldn’t provide an explanation as to why you were wearing four layers of clothing on a summer’s day, and you still haven’t provided provided a proper explanation for wearing that extent of clothing.”

Judge Sloan said the offence was committed in circumstances of a risk of serious disorder and the defendant would have been aware of that risk.

Despite the defendant’s previous good character, Judge Sloan said, “given the context in which this offences was committed”, he had to, “both punish and deter others from such offending”, and, therefore, only an immediate prison sentence was appropriate.

Passing an eight-month sentence he also made a deprivation and destruction order for both the knife and the bag in the back pack.

Northern Echo

Middlesbrough rioter failed to set an wheelie bin alight

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August 22, 2024
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A rioter who tried and failed to set an industrial wheelie bin alight before helping to push it at police officers has been locked up.

Michael Stevenson caught on video footage among a group of people confronting the police as they marched through the streets of Middlesbrough.

The 34-year-old was captured trying unsuccessfully to ignite the red bin with his lighter, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said up to 1,000 people gathered at the Cenotaph before heading towards the town centre along Linthorpe Road before violence erupted.

The court heard how Stevenson only got involved as he had a gripe with police from several years earlier.

She said: “The defendant’s involvement was captured on footage recorded by a member of the public and later published on social media.

“He, along with a number of others, attempted to set a large wheelie bin on fire which they attempted to push towards police officers.”

A police officer heard Stevenson shouting out abuse in an attempt to provoke them to head towards the Linthorpe Road area.

Miss Masters said Stevenson was arrested four days later when he was spoken to about another incident and the officer searched for footage on Youtube for footage of the rioting and identified the defendant.

She added: “In police interview, he accepted he had been present and had tried to set the wheelie bin on fire. He said his lighter had failed and the bin hadn’t caught fire.

“He claimed his motivation for doing it was that the police had attended his home address five years previously and he reacted in retaliation.”

The defendant, who continually interrupted proceedings, said he was only at the scene for around 20 minutes before leaving as he had hurt his leg.

At one point, he shouted out: “I just saw red.”

Stevenson, of Newport Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the rioting on August 4.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had struggled with mental health issues throughout his life and had pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Francis Laird KC jailed Stevenson for two years and two months for his role in the disorder.

“This was a largescale incident, involving largescale acts of violence towards people and property,” he said.

“You chose to get involved in the largescale disorder.”

Northern Echo

The self-proclaimed ‘freedom fighter’ thug caught out by his own sickening video

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August 22, 2024
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‘It is clear you were motivated by racial and religious hostility and frank misogyny’

A self-proclaimed ‘freedom fighter’ who filmed the sickening attack of a black man in Piccadilly Gardens as disorder broke out – while shouting ‘kill him’ – was caught out by his own footage.

As trouble flared in Manchester city centre on August 3, Warren Gilchrest recorded the vicious mob assault. He was heard taunting the man, laughing and ordering other yobs to ‘stamp on his f*****g face’.

Gilchrest’s video was played at Manchester Crown Court as he was sentenced for his part in the ugly scenes. The 52-year-old called police who stepped in to protect the man ‘vermin’, before bellowing at the man as he cowered on the floor: “How do you feel, d***head?”

In another clip, Gilchrest could be heard chanting with others: “Save our kids.” He also repeated offensive chants referring to Allah. In police drone footage, he was captured kicking out at a cop twice.

“In another section of the video, he confronts – with others – a group of Asian females who are wearing headscarves,” prosecutor Philip Hall said. “When a male comes to escort the women away, the defendant says to him ‘controlling women’, later adding ‘you’re getting slapped, women or not… yeah f*** off, drag your b**** away.”

Gilchrest, from Clayton, continued to film as a large group walked down Mosley Street, before they kicked in the doors of a Sainsbury’s story and targeted a vape shop. At one point, he turned the camera around and posed with another thug, shouting: “England, take it back.”

Gilchrest was arrested days later. Mr Hall said the video was ‘used to prosecute him and others. “The defendant runs his own social media channel in which he describes himself as a ‘freedom fighter’ and ‘critical thinker’,” he added.

The court heard he had numerous convictions, including for violence and child sex offences. Mitigating, Tobias Collins said: “On his behalf, whatever view is taken of his involvement, he has had the decency, for want of a better word, to hold his hands up.”

“Decency is not a word that comes to my lips easily in this case,” Judge Patrick Field KC said.

Mr Collins added: “He accepts what he said was unacceptable – or in his words – ‘bang out of order’. He wishes to apologise through me for this and accepts what he was saying that day was wrong.”

The barrister added that Gilchrest was ‘appropriately embarrassed and ashamed’ and said his client asked that his previous convictions would not be reported in the press as others involved in disorder had since received ‘death threats’.

Sentencing, Judge Field KC said: “You were not just a bystander, you were providing active encouragement towards those involved in the violent disorder. There is a constant flow of vile abuse and vitriol directed towards officers and other people. In particular, there is a distressing scene where you direct such abuse at two young women wearing [veils].

“That, particularly taken with the other material that was found, demonstrates to me that you have a deeply unpleasant and frankly concerning extreme mindset. It is clear you were motivated by racial and religious hostility and frank misogyny.”

Gilchrest, of North Road, Clayton, Manchester, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was jailed for three years – and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for five years, banning him from an area of the city centre and prohibiting him from gathering in a group ‘that causes a person to fear for their safety’.

MEN

Sentenced so far for the Rotherham Riots

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August 21, 2024
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Niven Matthewman, aged 19, of Albert Street, Swinton, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Wednesday, August 14 at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court. On August 19 he was sentenced to two years and eight months in a young offenders’ institution and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order for ten years.

Nathan Palmer, aged 29 of New Street, Hemingfield, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on August 19.

Dylan White, aged 48, of The Farmstead, Bolton-Upon-Dearne pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Tuesday (13 August) at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. On August 15 he was sentenced to two years in prison.

Billy Pemberton, aged 31 of Rosehill Road, Rawmarsh pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place when he appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. He was sentenced to two years and four months in jail and a five-year CBO on August 15.

Michael Whitehead, aged 27, of no fixed address appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on August 15, when he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder on August 14.

Glyn Guest, aged 60, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder on August 12. at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, and sentenced to two years and eight months in prison during a Sheffield Crown Court hearing held on August 14.

Trevor Lloyd, aged 49, of Oak Avenue, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham, was sentenced to three years and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for ten years, during a Sheffield Crown Court hearing held on August 14, after admitting to one count of violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Stuart Bolton, aged 38, of Manchester Square, New Holland, North Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and use of a motor vehicle on a public road without third party insurance during a hearing held at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 12. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison during a hearing held on August 14.

Elliot Wragg, aged 23, of Assembly Way, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to the offence of violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 12. He was sentenced to two years and four months in custody during a hearing held at Sheffield Crown Court on August 14.

Kaine Hicks, aged 22, of Wombwell Road, Platts Common, Barnsley appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 10 and pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced to two years, eight months in prison, and received a 10-year criminal behaviour order, during a hearing held at Sheffield Crown Court on August 13.

Drew Jarvis, aged 19, of no fixed address appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 10 and pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced before Sheffield Crown Court on August 13, when he was jailed for three years and received a 10-year criminal behaviour order.

Ricky Hardman, aged 41, of Norfolk Road, Barnsley appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 9, and pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on August 12, when he was jailed for two years, eight months and made the subject of a 10-year criminal behaviour order.

Kenzie Roughley, aged 18, of Barnsley Road, South Elmsall, Pontefract has pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on August 9, when he was sent to begin a sentence of two years, four months in youth detention.

Sheffield Star

Rioter who skipped court to holiday in Dubai is jailed

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August 21, 2024
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Judge attacks scaffolder Perrie Fisher’s ‘cavalier attitude to justice’ as he imposes prison sentence

A rioter who skipped court to go on a week-long birthday holiday to Dubai has been jailed.

Perrie Fisher, 29, was criticised by a judge for his “cavalier attitude” to justice as he sentenced him to two years and five months for his violent conduct outside an asylum seeker hotel.

Winchester Crown Court was told Fisher wore an England flag as he threw a scooter and bicycle wheels and kicked footballs at the windows of the building, shouting abuse at migrants.

Fisher, a father of one, did not react as he was sentenced after admitting charges of violent disorder and failing to surrender himself at court.

He had flown to Dubai despite being charged for his role in the violence that took place outside Potters International Hotel, Aldershot, Hants, on July 31, two days after the Southport killings.

200 protesters descended on hotel

Fisher, who was detained by police when he touched down at Gatwick on Sunday, was condemned by the judge for his “intimidating and threatening” behaviour and for delaying justice by going abroad.

Tim Devlin, prosecuting, told the court that Fisher, from nearby Farnham, was involved in a protest outside the hotel, which houses immigrants awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications.

“This matter related to a violent disorder that took place on July 31 outside a hotel which is currently being used by the Home Office for asylum seekers,” he said.

The court heard around 200 protesters arrived at the hotel and tried to enter the building after “misinformation” about the identity of the suspect for the Southport stabbings was shared online.

The court heard the group shouted “we want our country back”, “this is what community looks like” and “get them in, get them gone”.

After the group broke into a bike shed, Fisher picked up a bike and threw it into a skip. He was then seen throwing bicycle wheels at the hotel.

“Flares had been set off, and the perimeter wall to the hotel was damaged,” Mr Devlin added.

Police massively outnumbered

The prosecutor said police officers who first attended were not in riot gear and were “massively outnumbered” in a situation that was “rapidly getting out of hand”.

He added: “Security staff and people in the hotel were in great fear about what was going to happen to them.”

The court was shown body-worn camera footage of Fisher throwing the bike in the skip, as well as “lobbing” a children’s scooter towards the hotel and telling a police officer to “f— off”.

He was also seen riding a children’s bicycle and throwing it in the building’s direction.

After reinforcements arrived, the crowd was eventually dispersed.

In mitigation, Alexandra Scott said that Fisher had given police the flight number of his “not inexpensive” holiday so that they could arrest him on his arrival back in the UK.

“He took what steps he could to try and see if he could adjourn it. But ultimately he made a decision to prioritise his commitment to his partner and their holiday,” she said.

Ms Scott added that Fisher accepted his conduct was “entirely unacceptable” having “considered what it must have been like for those inside”.

‘Foul, abusive, racist’ chants

Addressing him about his bail offence, Judge Nigel Lickley KC said: “That demonstrates a cavalier attitude to the courts and the offence you committed. You delayed justice.”

The judge added that Fisher’s actions were accompanied by “foul, abusive, racist chants”.

“The sole purpose of that group of which you were one was to intimidate, frighten, and terrify the occupants of the migrant hotel,” the judge said.

“They were your target – there was no legitimate aim, it was totally unjustified and unlawful. It is troubling to think such activity took place with no justification.

“The mob you were part of was very intimidating and threatening. It has had wide-ranging consequences. People have been made to feel unsafe and fearful.

”[Your offences] are so serious only immediate custody is justified.”

Fisher was jailed for two years and four months for violent disorder as well as one month for failing to surrender.

Former soldier confronted police in Rotherham

Others rioters sentenced on Wednesday included a former soldier who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, who was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Peter Beard, a 43-year-old father of three from Rotherham, admitted pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Another man, Morgan Hardy, alleged to have been involved in the same riot, had his bail revoked after being accused of throwing chairs, fencing and a fire extinguisher at police.

He pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, a man who tried but failed to set fire to a wheelie bin which was pushed towards riot police during disorder in Middlesbrough was jailed for 26 months.

Michael Stevenson, 34, was recognised by a police officer who watched YouTube footage of the widespread trouble in the town on August 4.

Daily Telegraph

Former drug dealer, 28, jailed after ‘vile and disgraceful’ racist abuse during far-right protest

By
August 21, 2024
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Bradley Halton joined Islamophobic chanting and was heard saying ‘f**king P**i c**ts’

A convicted drug dealer who shouted ‘vile and disgraceful’ racist abuse during a violent protest has been jailed.

Bradley Halton attended the ‘Enough is Enough’ rally in Whitehall on July 31, organised by far-right leader Danny Tommo, real name Daniel Thomas, after the spread of misinformation about the identity of a knifeman accused of stabbing three schoolgirls in Southport on July 29.

The 28-year-old, of Augustus Close in Brentford, showed no emotion as he was jailed for 16 months at Inner London Crown Court on Tuesday, August 20. The judge said Halton’s racist language was ‘profoundly painful’ for those who heard it, and ‘an affront to the values of decency and affects everyone in our society’ as she chose not to suspend his sentence.

Despite conditions being imposed by police, the crowd broke out of an agreed enclosure on Richmond Terrace, becoming ‘noisier and angrier’ when a man climbed a barrier and a smoke flare was thrown at Downing Street. While some protesters were moved back to the enclosure, others stayed in Parliament Square in breach of the conditions, amassing near the statue of Winston Churchill.

Police then decided to identify and arrest those still in breach of conditions, with missiles, including glass bottles and cans, being thrown at them, forcing them to put on riot gear and helmets. The protest came during widespread lawlessness around the UK, when tensions were running high with fears about further violent disorder breaking out.

Mr McKinley said there was ‘organised chanting’, including ‘Who the f**k is Allah’ and ‘You’re not English anymore’, with spitting, swearing, and abuse directed towards police officers. Halton was part of this crowd, shouting ‘Who the f**k is Allah?’, and, as seen on police bodycam footage, saying ‘Where were you lot when the f**king P**i c**ts were doing this? You were nowhere. Nowhere’.

Footage played to the court showed Halton in a blue surgical mask, with a green t-shirt wrapped over his head, and bare chest, joining chants and shouting at police. Audio of his comment about ‘f**king P**i c**ts’ was difficult to hear, but not disputed by Halton or his barrister.

Halton was arrested on Sunday, August 11, and initially disputed his identification, telling police ‘Are you trying to wind me up?’ when he was confronted with the footage. He later admitted violent disorder in the magistrates court.

Margate crack dealer

Halton was previously convicted and jailed for 30 months for Class A drugs supply offences at Canterbury Crown Court in 2017, after being caught with heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Halton was homeless when he was stopped by police in Margate, with wraps of drugs in his mouth and £400 in cash, reports Kent Online.

Barrister Stephen Cooke said Halton had ‘completely changed his life’ since then, with a partner and stable accommodation, and job as a tree surgeon with the council. Around 18 months ago, Halton also discovered he had become a father, but sadly the mother of his child had since died.

“These incidents were obviously shameful and a disgrace, but perhaps there’s a distinction that this offence in London did not reach the levels elsewhere,” said Mr Cooke, adding: “While the words are vile, he did not use physical violence, did not throw a missile at anyone. While the words were disgraceful, he did not call police officers out for immediate violence.”

Calling for a suspended sentence, Mr Cooke asked Judge Vanessa Baraitser ‘for mercy’, and requested she not to double count the use of racist language. “It’s the defence application he not be sentenced twice on that narrow aspect,” said the barrister. Halton previously admitted one count of racially aggravated harassment at Westminster Magistrates Court and was fined £400.

Footage ‘clearly’ showed Halton joining the Islamophobic chant

Judge Baraitser said the footage clearly showed Halton joining the Islamophobic chant and making the racist comment to police. “[This was] contributing to what had become a volatile situation for the police,” she said, adding: “Perhaps you thought being part of a large crowd with sheer weight of numbers with a t-shirt wrapped around your head and blue mask on your face might protect you and shield you from prosecution.”

Jailing him for 16 months in immediate custody, the judge said Halton’s actions ‘provided comfort and encouragement’ to those around him to do the same, and severe sentences were needed to ‘punish and deter others’.

My London