Body-worn camera captures attack on police van in riots

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August 16, 2024
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A man has admitted battering a police van as officers were trapped inside and left “fearing for their lives” during rioting in Southport.

Luke Moran’s attack was captured on police body-worn camera footage as he repeatedly punched the vehicle and tried to rip off a wing mirror.

The 38-year-old, of Leybourne Avenue in Birkdale, Merseyside, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court following the incident on Zetland Street in Southport on 30 July.

Moran was one of a crowd of people throwing missiles, bins and other items at police, The Crown Prosecution Service said.

The disorder broke out less than an hour after a vigil held in memory of the three young girls killed in the stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the town.

Moran will be sentenced on 21 August.

In a statement, an officer said he had “seriously feared” for his safety during the police van incident and there was an “obvious hardcore element of the mob which stood at the front of the crowd who were intent on inflicting harm on officers”.

Moran was arrested on 14 August by Merseyside Police after being identified from CCTV footage.

He told officers during a police interview: “I was nowhere near Zetland Street, St Luke’s Street, mate”.

District crown prosecutor Sarah Gray said: “The footage of Moran battering at the police van door is truly shocking.

“It made it impossible for the officer to either drive away or get out – the level of violence and aggression used was absolutely appalling.

“The idea that Moran was motivated to behave in such a dreadful way in response to the murder of three children is extremely distressing and quite disgusting.”

Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Make no mistake, if you have taken part either by fanning the flames online or by bringing violence and disruption to our community, you will be caught, convicted and most likely imprisoned.”

BBC News

Teenager jailed after taking knife to planned demo

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August 16, 2024
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A teenager who took a knife to an area where a protest was due to take place has been jailed.

Thomas Connelly, 18, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place after he was arrested in Warrington on 7 August.

Police found him with a folding pocketknife after he was “acting suspiciously” near the location of a planned protest, prosecutors said.

The 18-year-old, from Regency Square, was jailed for six months at Chester Magistrates’ Court.

On his arrest, Connelly said he was aware of the protest but had forgotten to leave the knife at where he worked for a upholstery firm.

Emily Lloyd, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said his excuse “isn’t a defence”.

“He was in a public place with a bladed article without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

“It was concerning that he was making his way to the protest that was planned and the knife could have been used by him or others if he dropped it.”

BBC News

Man denies encouraging murder after Southport deaths

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August 16, 2024
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A Lancashire man has denied intentionally encouraging murder and violent disorder in relation to recent riots in Southport and Liverpool.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, of Cousins Lane, Rufford, pleaded not guilty to encouraging murder through electronic communication and encouraging violent disorder through electronic communication, at Liverpool Crown Court.

He also denied possession of a pocket knife in a public place on Smithdown Road, Liverpool, on 8 August.

He was remanded into custody and is due to appear in court again on 4 November for a case management hearing, with a provisional trial date set for 3 February 2025.

Judge Neil Flewitt acknowledged the public interest in the case.

The defendant waved to his parents in the public gallery when he was brought into the courtroom.

He spoke only to confirm his name and to plead not guilty to three offences.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, confirmed to Judge Flewitt that “in simple terms” the suggestion was Mr McIntyre was the administrator of an online group.

It is said he allegedly encouraged followers of the group to commit murder, and also to take part in the disorder that recently took place in Merseyside.
‘Racist chants’

Also in court was 21-year-old Harvey Gabbott, from Southport, who had previously admitted violent disorder after he threw items – including a pint of beer and a wheelie bin – at police officers during riots in the town.

He was given a two-year prison sentence and will serve at least half in the community, rather than behind bars.

The violent disorder he was a part of centred around Southport mosque on 30 July, with racist chants clearly heard during CCTV footage played to the court.

The footage showed Gabbott throwing beer, then two items – thought to be bricks, before he re-emerged wearing a balaclava and threw a wheelie bin at a police van.

Dressed in a grey defendants’ tracksuit, Gabbott, a roofer, and father of a six-month-old child, covered his face as the footage was played.

He was breathing heavily to regain his composure whilst the prosecutor outlined the punishments he could face. His partner cried during his defence.

Judge Neil Flewitt accepted Gabbott regretted what he had done and had handed himself into police, but said it provided “little comfort to those affected by your actions”.

He was told he was being given a two-year prison sentence, with no more than half of the sentence to be served in prison, and the rest to be served in the community.

He said “I love you” to his family as he was taken down.

Another man, Oliver Maddocks, 21, who had earlier this week admitted violent disorder and burglary of a local shop during the recent disorder in Southport, had his case adjourned until 1 October, pending a psychological assessment on the advice of a pre-sentence report.

Maddocks, of Southport, was told it is “almost inevitable” he would receive a prison sentence.
BBC News

Radcliffe, Manchester and Stockport men jailed for disorder

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August 16, 2024
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Three men have become the latest to be jailed for their part in the disorder that gripped the region earlier this month.

Bolton town centre, central Manchester and Newton Heath were all hit by disorder in the days between Wednesday July 31 and Sunday August 4.

Radcliffe man Oliver Chapman, 23, Paul Smith, 21 and Joseph Ley, 30, all pleaded guilty to their parts in the disturbances at previous hearings and police say more are likely to follow them.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Naismith said: “We are continuing to investigate, locate and trace those who were intent on committing unnecessary violence and remain focused on keeping our communities safe whilst bringing swift justice alongside the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Our ongoing work across several operations has led to 102 suspects being identified, with 73 of those being charged and as the days pass more will start to be convicted for their actions.”

Chapman, of Duke Street, Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to violent disorder for his actions outside Sainsburys supermarket on Mosley Street in Manchester city centre on Saturday, August 3.

Brought back before Manchester Crown Court on Thursday, August 15, he was jailed for one year and eight months.

Smith, of Keynsham Road, Manchester, also confessed to violent disorder for his role in the disturbances on Oldham Road, Newton Heath, on Wednesday, July 31.

He was jailed for two years and 10 months and given a seven-year community behaviour order.

Ley, of Hardman Street, Stockport, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after taking part in the disturbances at Piccadilly Gardens on Manchester city centre on Saturday, August 3.

He was jailed for three years and two months.

DCI Naismith said: “We are still maintaining patrols in key areas to ensure we can respond quickly to any ongoing disorder that may arise and would like to thank the public for their continued support and co-operation as we conduct further enquiries.

“Acts of mindless violence will not be tolerated, and we hope this result sends a clear message that any outbreak of disorder will be dealt with robustly.

“If you were involved in violent disorder expect a knock on the door if you haven’t had one already.”

Bolton News

Sunderland man admits religiously aggravated public disorder including ‘threatening’ language outside mosque

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August 16, 2024
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A Sunderland man has admitted using ‘threatening and abusive’ language outside a city mosque.

David Hann pleaded guilty to an offence of religiously aggravated public disorder when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates today. Friday, August 16.

The court was shown CCTV footage of several clips of Hann, 58, involved in disorder in Sunderland City Centre on Friday, August 2, and heard how he had displayed “threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour”.

District judge Zoe Passfield heard a statement submitted to the court by a PC Burrows who said that Hann, of Ryhope Street South, was seen and heard shouting racist and religiously motivated abusive terms about Muslims and the Islamic religion.

The terms described to the court included “dirty Muslims” and “Mohammad is a paedophile”.

Hann admitted using some of the terms – a number of which are not suitable for publication – although denied using all of the language described to the court.

Prosecutor Carolyn Craggs told the court how Hann’s actions had contributed to “causing distress in the local area” and a “fear of violence”.

Hann’s defence solicitor, who declined to give her name, asked for judge Passfield not to refer Hann’s sentencing to the Crown Court and argued that it could be dealt with at the Magistrates Court where a maximum sentence of six months can be imposed for a single offence.

The defence solicitor told the court Hann had been on his way to the Steels Social Club, was “unaware there was a planned protest” and had “become caught up in what happened”.

She also highlighted how Hann was shown in the video footage acting on his own and had not been involved in inciting others.

However district judge Passfield deemed that due to the seriousness of the offence and religious motivation behind Hann’s behaviour, that sentencing would need to take place at Crown Court.

She said: “The words you used were absolutely unacceptable and aggravated by race and religion.

“I also need to take into account the context of such a large scale public incident and the need for potential sentencing to be a deterrent.”

Hann will now be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, August 23. He was remanded in custody.

Sunderland Echo

Man who attacked police in Sunderland disorder, then apologised, is jailed

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August 16, 2024
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A Sunderland man who attacked a line of riot police during city centre unrest – then returned to deliver a bizarre apology – has been jailed for more than two years.

Unemployed Paul Williams joined in the sickening violence in Sunderland on August 2 when he went out to collect a takeaway after drinking all day in his garden.

Shocking video footage shows Williams throw a can of lager at police, adopt a boxing stance and shout “come on then” and “do you want some” at the officers, as trouble spread across the city.

The tattooed brute took off his top, called one cop a “fat little lesbian”, grabbed and pushed at officers’ riot shields and hurled abuse while being encouraged by a mob standing behind him.

One of the officers he targeted was seen to be forcefully hit with what looks like a large piece of scaffolding pole to the back, while Williams continues his tirade. The force of the blow forces the officer forward.

After the trouble died down, he then went back to the police line, tried to fist-bump the officers he had just attacked and told them: “I’ve got no bother with the police at all like. You are doing your ******* job like. Do you get where I’m coming from?

“I don’t want to leave here and go back home before I come and explain to you, I don’t want to get into bother after.

“I feel ****** bad for you.

“I don’t even know what to say, it’s a **** position to be in.

“Get home safe and all this **** right.”

Williams, 45, of Esdale, Sunderland, who has a criminal record, admitted violent disorder at South Tyneside Magistrates Court last week and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today for senescent

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad told the court the police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as disorder spread throughout the city that Friday afternoon.

Mr Ahmad told the court: “Officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Officers were attacked with missiles and verbally abused.

“Four required hospital treatment and some are not fit enough to return to frontline duties.

“Police vehicles were targeted and damaged. Several patrol cars needed repairs.

“At times, lone police on vehicle patrol found themselves targeted by offenders in the middle of the protest.

“Families of a number of officers were at home in fear for their loved ones out on duty, having witnesses the horror of what was unfolding on news and social media.”

The court heard the city’s police hub was set on fire, business premises were smashed and shops were looted.

Mr Ahmad said Williams, who was wearing a blue t-shirt and green shorts, was captured on police body worn footage that day: “The bodyworn footage shows the defendant acting aggressively, attacking the line of police officers at Keel Square.

“He was verbally abusive to officers. He told the officers to ‘put the shield down and lets go, lets ******* go’.

“He threw a can of alcohol at the officers, squared up in an attacking stance and tried to grab an officer’s shield.

“He took off his shirt, aggressively pushed into officers’ shields and later threw a piece of fencing in the direction of the police officers.”

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said in an impact statement it remained unclear how much damage was caused by the disorder but the cost of repairs could run to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Police vehicles as well as community buildings and businesses came under attack.

Ms Jardine said the violence had been met with a £1million policing operation and the psychological cost to officers involved is yet to be known.

She added: “The North East is a wonderful, vibrant and safe place to live and work.

“The vast majority of our people are law abiding, proud members of the community.”

Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, said Williams accepts his behaviour was ‘disgraceful’ and was genuinely remorseful.

Miss Allison-Howells said Williams had family responsibilities, was not ‘anti-police’ and added: “During the course of the day he had consumed alcohol to excess while sat in the sunshine. He went into town to purchase a takeaway.”

The court heard when William reached the city centre and saw what was going on, he initially engaged positively with the police but then found himself involved in the trouble.

Miss Allinson-Howells added: “As soon as it was over, this defendant went up to the officers and apologised for his role. He left the scene and was arrested not long after the incident.”

Judge Paul Sloan KC sentenced Williams to 26 months and told him: “You and others brought shame upon the city of Sunderland.

“For no justifiable reason whatsoever you and many more gathered in the city centre and participated in an orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder.

“The mayhem was widespread.”

Sunderland Echo

Mother-of-five ‘disgusted’ at her own actions, Bristol court hears

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August 16, 2024
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In Bristol, mother-of-five Lisa Bishop has been jailed for two years and two months after being “at the forefront” of a group that “targeted asylum seekers” living in a hotel during unrest on 3 August.

There was just a small team of officers trying to protect the Mercure hotel, the court was told, and there was a risk they would become overwhelmed.

“You were at the forefront, gesturing and shouting at the police as you drank more alcohol,” Judge Martin Picton told Bishop earlier. “The group of which you were part was getting increasingly agitated and aggressive and your actions must have contributed to this.”

Bishop had pleaded guilty to violent disorder, with the court being told she was “disgusted and ashamed” by her behaviour.

BBC News

‘Keyboard warrior’ from Lincoln jailed for three years for stirring up racial hatred after Southport deaths

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August 16, 2024
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A ‘keyboard warrior’ who admitted publishing written material online to stir up racial hatred during the recent protests was today (Friday) jailed for three years.

Wayne O’Rourke, 35, who had more than 90,000 followers to his X account, expressed support for the recent protests and offered advice to protesters on how to remain anonymous.

Among his posts on July 29 was a reference to the death of three children in Southport alleging it was a terrorist attack carried out by a Muslim.

A further post read: “People of Southport where the f**k are you, get out on the street.”

That post had 1.7 million views, the court was told.

Other posts showed a picture of the County Road mosque in Liverpool and a picture of burning car in Sunderland.

This was accompanied by a post which read: “Sunderland, go on lads ”

Another post read: “Starmer has basically said it us against them. Hold the line.”

Other posts read: “Numbers are important” and “give them hell lads.”

O’Rourke’s X profile was accompanied by a picture of a bulldog wearing a Union Jack jacket.

In interview O’Rourke admitted receiving around £1,400 a month in payments for his account.

O’Rourke of Salix Approach, Lincoln, admitted publishing written material online to stir up racial hatred between July 28 and August 8.

The court heard O’Rourke had no previous convictions but was cautioned for fraud in 2018.

Lucia Harrington, mitigating, said O’Rourke did not set up his account with the intention of encouraging such material and became ‘caught up in the media frenzy’.

Miss Harrington said O’Rourke had previously worked as a parcel sorter but left work to become the carer for his partner.

She added that O’Rourke now wanted to re-educate himself about things that he had got wrong.

Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told O’Rourke: “You were not caught up in what others were doing, you were instigating it.”

Judge Catarina Knight added: “The flames fanned by keyboard warriors like you.”

The Judge also made it clear she did not accept O’Rourke’s claim in interview that it was dark humour.

Judge Sjolin Knight asked O’Rourke directly: “Where is the humour I ask you Mr O’Rourke?”

Lincs Online

Two men jailed for goading police at London protest

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August 16, 2024
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Police arrested 121 people after the demonstration

Two men have been jailed for their part in disorder near Downing Street last month.

Stevie Mulryne, an electrician, 29, was jailed for 16 months for making a stabbing gesture towards police.

Charles Smith, 22, a tree surgeon, was jailed for 23 weeks after he “struck up a fighting stance” and chanted “scum” at officers.

Police arrested 121 people after the violent disorder, two days after a stabbing at a dance studio in Southport.

Bottles and cans were thrown at officers and flares were launched at the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

Mulryne, of Basildon in Essex, joined in with a chant of “who the f*** is Allah?” during the protest in central London on July 31, Inner London Crown Court heard.

He pleaded guilty on August 14 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to violent disorder.

Alex Rooke, defending, said his client had been “outraged and triggered” by events in Southport and was attending what he believed to be a “demonstration against knife crime”.

The barrister said his client and others had participated in “monkey-like behaviour” towards officers.

The father of two “broke down” during his police interview and told officers it is “easy to be silly in a silly crowd”, Mr Rooke added.

Sentencing him, Judge Benedict Kelleher said violent protests cannot be tolerated.

Smith, of Uxbridge, also joined in with a chant of “who the f*** is Allah?” during the protest.

Smith, who the court heard was at the “forefront” of a group which confronted officers, sat with his head bowed for much of the hearing.

He pleaded guilty to affray at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 9.

Sentencing Smith, Judge Benedict Kelleher said his actions “demonstrated a complete contempt for the police”.

Smith, whose lawyer described him as “tolerant of other religions and other races”, looked up towards his family in the public gallery before being taken down to the cells.

Evening Standard

Thug who forced Romanians from car during riot handed heftiest sentence to date

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August 16, 2024
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David Wilkinson was jailed for six years at Hull Crown Court following violence and disorder in the city on August 3

A thug who forced three terrified Romanian men from their car during a riot has received the heftiest sentence to date in connection with recent widespread disorder after being jailed for six years.

David Wilkinson, 48, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder, attempted arson and racially aggravated criminal damage after playing a “prominent role” in the violence and disorder that gripped Hull on August 3.

His sentence came as a second riot charge was brought by police – leaving violent disorder suspects across the country awaiting news on whether they will be accused of the more serious offence.

Hull Crown Court heard Wilkinson was a member of a “baying mob” who left the driver of a BMW in fear for his life when more than 100 “angry” men descended on him and his two cousins.

The group tried to drag them from the car, before punching him in the head and attempting to strike him with a metal bar.

In footage of the incident, the three men in the vehicle could be seen getting out with their hands raised in a gesture of surrender before fleeing to a nearby hotel, the court heard.

At other points during the day of disorder, Wilkinson spat, threw missiles and pushed wheelie bins at a police line protecting a hotel known to house asylum seekers.

He appeared to be holding nunchucks – a martial arts weapon – at one point, it was said.

Elsewhere on Friday, Kieran Usher became the second suspect to be charged with riot in connection with disorder in Sunderland city centre on August 2.

The 32-year-old appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court where prosecutors said he had acted in an “aggressive manner” towards police officers and threw missiles at them during the unrest.

The court heard he allegedly gestured towards officers and towards the crowds in the city centre in order to “encourage violence”.

District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded him in custody until his crown court appearance on August 23 after saying a series of video clips played to the court showed he had “a willingness to engage in large-scale disorder”.

It followed Northumbria Police’s announcement that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday.

The teenager appeared in court on Thursday and his case was adjourned following what a district judge called a “surprise” charging decision.

Liam Doeg, 33, who was due to be sentenced in relation to disorder in Sunderland, had his case adjourned as prosecutors consider whether to further charge him with the more serious charge of riot.

Sophie Allinson, defending, opposed the move saying her client had pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the earliest opportunity and had come to court expecting to learn his fate.

Ms Allinson pointed out that more than 100 defendants had already been sentenced for violent disorder following the disorder across England.

Riot is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – double that of a charge of violent disorder.

Another lengthy jail sentence was handed down on Friday to a man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in Hull.

John Honey, 25, was jailed for 56 months after he also helped attack a BMW carrying three Romanian men, targeted a garage leaving nine vehicles damaged, and pushed bins at police lines during the disorder.

A sentencing hearing earlier in the week was adjourned after a prison probation officer said Honey had asked him “if he wanted his autograph because he was famous”, which the court heard could have undermined Honey’s claim of being “genuinely remorseful”.

Four other men – Steven Love, 41, John Nunan, 36, Travis Whitelock, 23, and Corey Holloway, 20 – were also jailed for their part in the Hull riots.

A judge told Love he was “lucky not to be charged with riot” after his central role in the disorder as he was sent to prison for 40 months.

In Liverpool, Andrew McIntyre pleaded not guilty to charges of encouraging murder, encouraging violent disorder and possession of a bladed article at the city’s crown court.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, confirmed to Judge Neil Flewitt that “in simple terms” the suggestion was that McIntyre was the administrator on an online group.

At Birmingham Crown Court, a rapper arrested after posting an allegedly “menacing” video mentioning Tommy Robinson will face trial in January next year after pleading not guilty.

Omar Abdirizak, known as Twista Cheese, denied an allegation of sending a grossly offensive or menacing message via a public communications network.

Two men and a woman were jailed for their roles in a protest in Plymouth at the city’s crown court.

Kerry Gove, 34, Andrew Ball, 49, and Grant Braidwood, 40, all admitted violent disorder before Ball and Braidwood were both give prison terms of 32 months, and Gove an 18-month term.

The court heard Ball has appeared in court previously on 51 occasions for 93 offences including racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and for public order offences.

Charges of stirring up racial hatred also continue to be brought before the courts across the country, with Wayne O’Rourke due to appear at Lincoln Crown Court.

The Independent