Man, 20, pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 13, 2024
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A 20-year-old man has admitted taking part in disturbances in Bristol city centre.

Joseph Bradford, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, was charged as part of a police investigation into the unrest which took place on 3 August.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

A total of 27 people have now been arrested as part of the investigation, including a 15-year-old boy.

Avon and Somerset Police said the teenager was arrested on Monday night on suspicion of violent disorder.

Officers also arrested a man, aged in his 30s, for the same offence on Tuesday and he remains in police custody.

Prosecutor Stephen Sadler said Bradford, who was supported by 10 family members in court, said he had been “right at the front line” of the disorder on Bristol Bridge and was seen “amping up the crowd”, “encouraging chanting” and “gesticulating to officers”.

He added that Bradford had thrown a can at police officers and had been part of a group which had rushed at the police three times, forcing them backwards.

Defence lawyer Ian Kelsey said his client had accepted his behaviour had been “idiotic” but that he had acted with the “naivety of youth” and had left the scene early, texting his mother to tell her he “didn’t want anything more to do” with the violence and that the situation had “got out of hand”.

Remanding him into custody Judge Joanna Dickens, who joined the hearing from Swindon Magistrates’ Court, said there was concern that “those who have done it once [taken part in recent violent disorder] might do it again”.

The force has charged 10 people in connection with the unrest in Bristol, when violent scenes occurred after hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park.

A total of 27 people have now been arrested in connection with the disorder, after two women were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder on Tuesday afternoon.

Tensions have been high across England after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

False claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker, who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Detectives have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and body-worn camera footage, as well as images and videos shared by the public, in order to try to identify those involved in the disorder.

BBC News

Man asks judge ‘how long did I get?’ after being jailed

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August 13, 2024
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Philip Prescott, Gareth Metcalfe and David Hill have been locked up over scenes of violence in Southport and Liverpool city centre

Thugs who kicked down the wall of a house, threw bricks at police officers and kicked the windscreen of a van while being livestreamed on TikTok have been jailed. Violent scenes flared up in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked during protesting on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on the evening of July 30. A planned protest at the Pier Head the following weekend then descended into violence, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that both Philip Prescott and Gareth Metcalfe were involved in the disturbance in Southport on the evening of July 30. Nardeen Nemat, appearing for the prosecution in relation to the former, told the court: “Following the killing of three young girls in Southport on the 29th of July, there was widespread disorder across the country. The first incident was on the 30th of July on St Luke’s Road in Southport.

“The focus of the violence was aimed at a mosque. There were chants including ‘who the f*** is Allah’. Items were thrown towards the mosque. Items were thrown at police officers including house bricks, wheelie bins and slabs of concrete. The incident lasted several hours. More than 60 police officers were injured. The mosque was damaged and a police vehicle was set alight.”

Prescott, of Sefton Street in Southport, was seen on CCTV and video footage captured by a police helicopter taking items out of a bin and hurling them towards police officers before “others followed suit”. The 38-year-old then “dragged another wheelie bin” towards a cordon formed by PCs before removing further objects and throwing them.

He subsequently kicked the wall of a residential property and climbed into the garden before running towards officers in possession of a brick, which he “launched towards” them. Prescott thereafter returned to the damaged wall once more and threw further bricks, including at the window of a police van.

Following his arrest on Lord Street in the town on August 5, he gave a prepared statement under interview in which he “said he had been drinking and was very upset by the death of the three children”. He then “heard there was something happening near to St Luke’s and went to see what was happening” and, although he could not recall his actions due to being under the influence of alcohol, stated that he was “ashamed by what he did and was sorry”.

Metcalfe, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, was meanwhile said to have “remonstrated” and “pointed and shouted at officers”, being described as being “at the front of the action”. Christopher Taylor, prosecuting the 44-year-old, detailed how he was arrested at his home address later the same evening and gave a no comment interview.

David Hill meanwhile appeared before the court in relation to disorder in Liverpool city centre the following Saturday. The 38-year-old, of Bianca Street in Bootle, was caught on a livestreamed TikTok video kicking the windscreen of a police van near to St George’s Hall before another thug attempted to set the vehicle on fire.

Prescott has no previous convictions, His counsel Sinead Fearon said: “The defendant appears to be acting by himself. He does not appear to be with any particular group or pushing any cause.

“Whilst he did not necessarily instruct others to follow in his footsteps and he was not the first to throw a missile, it is very difficult to step away from the fact that his actions caused a very real ripple effect on others who were present. Once he begins throwing the first missile, it appears others view what he has done and follow without instruction.

“He has worked on and off for the last 12 years as a painter. He has managed to live up until this point without troubling the court system. He appears to come from a close family. They are appalled by his behaviour, but support him nonetheless.

“His dad is terminally ill. His very real fear is that he will not be there to look after his dad, which is what he should have been doing rather than behaving in the way he did on the 30th of July. It is his intention to learn from his folly.”

Metcalfe’s criminal record shows 21 previous convictions for 31 offences between 1995 and 2021 – including for “religiously aggravated assault”, sexual assault in 2016, a racially-aggravated public order offence in 2019 and harassment and breach of a non-molestation order during 2019 and 2020. The court heard of one arrest in January 2019 “against a background of domestic abuse” which saw him “start to struggle” when officers attempted to detain him before calling them “Muslim protectors and Muslim sh**gers”.

When a Probation Service worker subsequently attempted to call him in order to prepare a pre-sentence report in relation to his subsequent conviction, they received a voicemail recording of Metcalfe saying: “F*** Islam. Leave a message.”

Simran Garcha said on his behalf: “Those entrenched views which Mr Metcalfe made known were back in 2019, and some time has passed since then. Mr Metcalfe’s involvement is markedly different to those who threw missiles towards officers and those who caused damage to property.

“He accepts that, at some stages, he was at the front of a large crowd and was very much involved in the unrest that followed. He is extremely embarrassed by his behaviour and wishes to apologise to the court and the police.

“He concedes that his anger and frustration consumed him. He was swept up in the brutal murder that occurred close to home. He accepts that his behaviour was a shameful and disrespectful response, and accepts that his behaviour was deplorable.

“It is noteworthy that there was a large gap of offending between 2005 and 2015, demonstrating that Mr Metcalfe is capable of being a productive member of society. There is clearly another side to this man. His last conviction dates back to 2021, demonstrating a lengthy period of stability in his life.

“He has three children and a step son. He is mortified that his children may learn about his involvement and is heartbroken over any impact that will have on them.

“Mr Metcalfe is in poor physical health. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer six years ago, which impacted on his ability to work. He is in remission but still attends regular hospital appointments to keep that matter under review. Mr Metcalfe has previous battled depression and suicidal ideation.

“He had a business in the window cleaning industry, however, when diagnosed with bowel cancer, was unable to work for a number of years. However, prior to his arrest, he had been working again.

“His family know there is another side to the defendant who is kind, caring and compassionate when free from alcohol use and who needs help. He is ashamed that he has let his parents down.”

Hill has a total of 71 previous convictions for 120 offences including affray, actual bodily harm, burglary and escaping from lawful custody. He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge for theft on July 18 this year after entering a Shell garage on Longmoor Lane in Fazakerley and placing £83.10 of food items into his jacket before leaving without paying.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “From a young age, this is a defendant who has been ravaged by the misuse of class A substances. That is obvious when one looks at his previous convictions.

“He is the father of two young children. He is a defendant who, prior to his arrest, was homeless. He has been homeless for a period in excess of 12 months, since he was released from his last custodial sentence.

“He does have some good qualities. He has a sister who worked for the National Deaf Children’s Society. The defendant taught himself sign language. He assisted young children with learning sign language. That is something he hopes to continue with, as far as the future is concerned.

“Staff at the prison know him well. He has been trusted in the past to hold down jobs within the prison. He has already secured a job as a cleaner and has been put in touch with a drug related agency. Whatever the sentence is today, he is hoping to use this period of time constructively with the hope that, when he is released on licence, assistance can be given for him to get secure accommodation, remain drug free and build up something that will provide for himself and his children so far as his later life is concerned.

“The fact that he was homeless has some bearing. He did not have a full knowledge of everything that was going on at the time. When these incidents did break out, his involvement was something which he effectively was swept along with. He has asked me to tell the court that he is appalled that he involved himself in this activity at a time when the people of Southport were mourning the loss of the three children.”

All three defendants admitted violent disorder. Prescott gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells after receiving 28 months in prison.

Metcalfe nodded as he was handed 40 months, then muttered an inaudible comment to his co-defendant. His dad told him “see you Gareth, love you” as he was escorted out of the courtroom, while his mum added: “It’s over.”

Hill was locked up for two years. He then asked “how long did I get?” before adding “thank you” after being informed by a security guard.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “On Monday the 29th of July, the peace in Southport was shattered when three young girls were stabbed and killed at a dance class. In the same incident, several other children and adults were seriously injured.

“In the aftermath of those terrible events, the local community came together to grieve and show their support for all of those affected by that tragedy. The respectful vigil that took place the following evening demonstrated all that is good about the vast majority of the inhabitants of Merseyside.

“At the same time, a small minority from Merseyside and beyond – fuelled by misinformation and racial or religious hatred – were intent on causing mayhem. In participating in the events that followed, they were not exercising their right to freedom of speech or to lawful non-violent protest.

“Rather, they were exploiting the anguish of others either to further their own warped ideology or simply as an excuse for vandalism, intimidation and violence. They are criminals, and they do not represent all the decent people who were appalled by their behaviour and left to clean up their mess.

“The disorder that began in Southport spread over the following days to other parts of Merseyside and to other cities in the UK. As a result, many communities throughout the country were forced to live in fear of further outbreaks of violent unrest.

“None of what has happened recently can properly be described as mindless behaviour. Everyone involved acted deliberately and knew exactly what they were doing, and so must accept responsibility for the impact of their conduct – not only on their own community, but also across the nation.”

The judge described Metcalfe as being “at the forefront of the disorder” in Southport, having “adopted a fighting stance”, adding: “This was clearly racially or religiously motivated disorder, targeting primarily the Muslim community but also the police officers. who were doing their best to protect them and their property This particular incident was made all the more serious because it took place soon after and in the same area as the tragic events of the previous day. I have no doubt that your actions added to the distress already felt by the local community.

“You have an appalling criminal record. You have demonstrated an established pattern of racially motivated behaviour and an entrenched racist attitude towards Muslims. Although you say you would never act on those views, that is exactly what you did.

“You have indicated that you are embarrassed by your conduct and apologise for it. Given your deeply held racist views, I approach that with some scepticism.”

Judge Flewitt told Prescott: “You claim to have become involved because you were drunk. That is no excuse and it is certainly no comfort to those who were affected by your actions. I take into account your previous good character and the other mitigation advanced, including your remorse and the ill health of your father.”

To Hill, the judge added: “I accept that your involvement was short lived and amounted to a single incident, after which you withdrew. You have an extensive criminal record. I recognise that you have a history of drug addiction and, more recently, homelessness and that you intend to make constructive use of your time in custody.”

Liverpool Echo

Teenager attacked police motorbike rider then helped loot £30,000 of vapes weeks before GCSE results

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August 13, 2024
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The teenager, who cannot be named, was one of six people to appear before magistrates’ today charged in connection with the riots in Liverpool and Southport

A teenager was part of a “hostile crowd” that assaulted a lone police motorbike rider and stole £30,000 of vapes from Clayton Square.

The 16-year-old boy from Knowsley appeared at Liverpool Youth Court this afternoon, Tuesday, August 13 where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder, criminal damage and three counts of burglary.

The charges come in relation to the riots in Liverpool city centre on August 3. The city centre was subjected to large scale disorder when hundreds of people gathered on the Strand and by the Pier Head. The riot, which was originally billed as a peaceful protest under the name “Save our Kids”, turned violent with police officers attacked, vehicles destroyed and shops looted.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted his role in the disorder. Prosecutor Matthew Dixon told the court, which excludes members of the public due to the defendant’s age: “The matters refer to the events of August 3 when the defendant engaged in the serious violent disorder in Liverpool city centre.

“He joined the hostile crowd. He was part of the crowd that assaulted a lone police motorcycle rider.” The court heard the teenager also attended the Ifix Phone Repair Centre, where he “lifted the shutters to enable others to enter”. The court also heard the teenager helped tip over a marked police vehicle worth £15,000.

Mr Dixon then said the teenager assisted in forcing open S&S News which was also looted, before he gained entry to Clayton Square “by kicking open the doors” where he stole vapes. The court hears £30,000 worth of vapes were stolen during the raid.

Prosecutor Mr Dixon added the matters “are taken very seriously” and said the courts will have a “very stark choice” between a referral order and detention in youth accommodation when it comes to sentencing. Clare Roche, defending, said the boy had a supportive family and stable home and is due to pick up his GCSE results next week.

District Judge Paul Healey said the teenager, who has no previous convictions, was bailed on the conditions he sleeps at his home address and that he doesn’t enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcodes. The judge confirmed the teenager would appear back before the youth court for sentence on September 17.

Following the teenager’s appearance, two men appeared before District Judge Healey charged with violent disorder in Southport. The riots in the north Sefton seaside town followed a peaceful vigil in memory of three young girls killed in a mass stabbing the previous day.

However, rioters gathered half a mile from the dance studio where the stabbings happened, fuelled by misinformation regarding the ethnicity, race and religion of the alleged attacker. Jake Lowther, 20 and of Abrams Fold in Banks, admitted throwing “concrete missiles” at police, hitting the shield of one officer, at the junction of Sussex Road and St Luke’s Road close to a mosque.

Lowther, who has no previous convictions, was supported in court by his mum and dad. The pair waved and mouthed “love you” at their son as he was led down to the cells after he was remanded in custody.

Luke Summerfield, 33 and of Mansfield Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, also appeared charged with the same offence. The court heard the Manchester man had travelled to Southport where he threw objects towards the police line.

A Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor said: “He chose to enter the area to involve himself. He has chosen to engage in those proceedings. He is not local and someone who has got caught up in the emotions of the very tragic incident in Southport.”

The court heard the defendant, who was on bail from the crown court at the time of the incidents in Southport, had attempted to evade the police when they arrested him over the weekend. He appeared in the dock with blood stains on his shirt and a cut and bruising around his eye. He too was remanded into custody.

Earlier in the morning three other men appeared before the same judge in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. David Engleby, 29 and of Scarisbrick New Road in Southport, appeared in court sporting a shaved head and tattoos, including a rose on his face. The court heard he was involved in the riots in Southport on July 30.

Engleby was described as an “active participant who played a leading role by throwing objects at the police” and pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder. Paul Dryhurst, 33 and of Gale Road in Litherland, was part of the same crowd and was identified by footage provided to the police by a member of the public.

Footage showed he was part of a large crowd chanting “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah”. He then threw an object at the police and filmed the disorder on his phone. His defence said he accepted his wrongdoing and he pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Connor Prescott, 25 and of no fixed abode, was also described to have played an active role in the rioting in Southport. He was seen “throwing bricks, masonry and wheelie bins towards the police”. Prescott, who admitted violent disorder, was remanded and will appear before Liverpool Crown Court with the other adult defendants on August 19 for sentencing.

A total of 35 people have now been charged in connection with the disorder across Merseyside. Several have already been imprisoned at Liverpool Crown Court. Police have repeatedly condemned the “despicable” violence which also happened on County Road in Walton on the same day as the city centre disorder.

Following the riots in Merseyside, disorder spread to towns and cities around the country. Police had made 927 arrests and 466 people had been charged across the country by Sunday afternoon, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Liverpool Echo

Balaclava-clad thug who turned up at Bolton protest armed with hammer made ‘very bad stupid mistake’

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August 13, 2024
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Mathew Edge, 34, has been jailed for a year

A balaclava-clad thug who was armed with a hammer before violence erupted in Bolton said he’d made a ‘very bad stupid mistake’.

Mathew Edge, 34, has been jailed for a year for being in possession of an offensive weapon following large scale disorder in the town, after the death of three girls in Southport. He is the first offender to be sentenced in a Greater Manchester crown court in connection with public disorder following the killings of the children.

Opposing groups goaded each other outside Bolton town hall on Sunday, August 4, with one set of protestors facing off a rival group of counter demonstrators. Bricks and other missiles were launched at police officers trying to keep rival factions apart.

Bolton was one of a number of areas with an ‘increased level of unrest and disorder in reaction to the tragic events in Southport’, Bolton Crown Court heard. At about 1pm that day, police became aware of a man wearing a balaclava who was part of the crowds outside the town hall, prosecutor Kate Gaskell said. An officer approached Edge and searched him.

He was found to be in possession of a ‘small hammer’ and some cannabis. Edge told the officer that he had the hammer because he was ‘scared of people stabbing him and his friends’.

“He repeatedly apologised saying it was his own fault and he had got agitated and scared,” Ms Gaskell said. “He further said he wasn’t a racist, his friend had told him to come down and he had made a very bad stupid mistake.” He had been in the pub earlier there he’d drank a pint of non-alcoholic Guinness, the court was told.

Edge, who has 18 convictions for 32 offences, was interviewed by police and claimed he had been given the hammer by a friend. Ms Gaskell said: “He denied being aware of what was going on in the town centre that day, thinking it was linked to the football.”

Edge, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis. He was jailed for 12 months by Judge Martin Walsh, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton.

The judge said: “Bolton was one of five areas across Greater Manchester which experienced substantial levels of unrest and disorder which had broken out, in an utterly misguided and totally unjustified reaction to the tragic events that had unfolded in Southport some days before.”

He told Edge: “Your arrest occurred within the context of a significant incident of public disorder. Many individuals will have attended in order to engage in peaceful demonstration, but a significant number were intent upon seeking confrontation, using violence and causing large scale public disorder.

“Your presence within the large group that had congregated in the vicinity of the town hall was not accidental or coincidental. You had arrived in Bolton town centre having armed yourself with an offensive weapon, and having consciously made a decision to mask your identity.

“Although prior to being searched you had not produced the weapon, it is clear that at the very least you anticipated an outbreak of public disorder in which weapons might be used.”

Defending, Alex Beevers said Edge accepted having made a ‘conscious decision to embroil himself in what would inevitably second into hooliganism’. “If an example is to be made of him, so be it, he accepts that,” the barrister added.

MEN

Judge savagely puts Plymouth rioter in his place

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August 13, 2024
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“let’s see what you’ve cost the country”

Two more men who took part in the violent disorder in Plymouth city centre last week have all been jailed with the sentencing Judge rounding on one of them claiming they were in no position to determine “who should or should not be in this country” having cost the public purse over the years.

John Cann, aged 51 of Patna Place, Plymouth and Ryan Bailey, aged 41 of no fixed abode, Plymouth, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday and appeared at Plymouth Crown Court this morning where they heard their fate.

Cann and Bailey were first to appear to be sentenced and prosecutor Lewis Aldous noted how Cann had been seen on police video footage on his mobility bike on the north side of Royal Parade, first bending down and picking up an item and throwing it at the counter-protestors. He was then shown later picking up firework and hurling it just before it went off.

He told police during his interview following his arrest that he went into the city with a friend to view the protest, thinking it would “kick off because an immigrant had killed some girls”.

He insisted he held no animosity towards police and that his own nephew was an officer. He confirmed he was on medication, but had also been smoking cannabis. He told police he was not a racist and that he did light the firework with a cigarette he was smoking.

The court was told he had 26 convictions for 170 offences.

Mr Aldous said Bailey had been caught on camera picking up a can and throwing it with the contents spilling out and was heard shouting along with the chants of “refugees not welcome here”. During police interview he initially denied the offence, but later admitted hurling the can, saying that somebody had thrown it at him first.

The court heard Bailey had 24 convictions for 39 offences, including a public order offence and in 2020 was sentenced for two years for a robbery. He also had previous for drugs offences and being drunk and disorderly in 2018.

In mitigation, Bailey and Cann’s advocate Feleens Grosvenor said Cann had a history of “largely non-violent” offences. He insisted he had no alignment with the far right, did not hide his face and was “disgusted with himself” was sorry and had written a letter to police to apologise. He claimed he was injured while having a “peaceful discussion” with an officer and police helped him up when he fell and hit his head.

She noted that he had diagnoses for PTSD and anxiety, suffered a deprived upbringing, was placed in care since the age of six years old and in 1992 fell 95 feet and severely damaged his leg, resulting in him being in a coma for a short while, and the requirement of a prosthetic leg since 2010. She noted he was also a heroin user but had been clean for three-and-a-half years.

Ms Grosvenor said Bailey had apologised for his actions and was ashamed. She said he claimed to not previously been aware of the protests, did not have a long history of violence and had not offended since 2020. On the night he claimed to have been hit by the can and made a “spontaneous decision” to throw it back. She said Bailey had shown genuine remorse, suffered anxiety and depression and was taking medication for both. In addition he had been homeless for a year and was currently being house in a hostel, but would lose the place there if jailed.

Judge Robert Linford reiterated his statements from previous sentencings for the violent disorder, noting the huge disruption and anxiety it caused the city, resulting in the closure of pubs, clubs, shops, a medical centre and the theatre and the costs to the public transports services, health services and emergency services.

Again he said he emphasised that “the word is going to go out from this court that people who behave in this way are going to go to prison and going to go for some considerable time”.

He told Cann he deliberately lit and threw the firework which was an “extremely dangerous thing to do” and he could have hit anyone which would have meant him facing “far more serious charges than these.”

To Bailey he said he was “in the midst of the disorder, chanting along moronically with the other members of this mob”.

He told Cann that during police interview he “spouted the dangerously inaccurate nonsense that was behind these incidents of disorder countrywide” pointing out that he told police during his interview that the protests were about “an immigrant that had killed girls”.

Judge Linford noted that the judge in Liverpool who dealt with the alleged perpetrator of the attacks “took the unusual step of naming him in an attempt to show people that the person in question was not an immigrant – but they [other rioters] and you didn’t really care about that. It was just an excuse to go out and have a go at people with whose views you disagree.”

Judge Robert Linford then rounded on Cann telling him that according to his police interview he discussed with them “about the better use of taxpayers’ money and why people were having to pay to keep these people in this country after committing such heinous crimes.”

Judge Linford then launched a stinging rebuke to Cann saying: “So let’s look at how the taxpayer have been funding your activities over the last 38 years – let’s see what you’ve cost the country: you’ve got 10 aliases, four fictitious birth dates, you’re 51 years of age, you’ve been convicted of 170 offences, you been convicted of theft, arson, taking cars, handling stolen goods, obtaining by deception, burglary, dangerous driving and possessing bladed articles. In all over the years that you’ve been visiting the criminal justice system you’ve received sentences totalling 357 months in prison, many of them concurrent.

“In other words, nearly 30 years. That Mr Cann is what you’ve been costing this country and you sit there in that interview and saw fit to be critical of others. You have no right whatever to say who should or should not be in this country.”

To Bailey, Judge Linford said he had 29 convictions for 39 offences, including theft, criminal damage, possession of drugs, supply of class A drugs, threatening behaviour, breach of a Domestic Violence Protection Order and robbery “and you were chanting with therest of that rabble about immigration”

“You two were in no position to judge anybody”.

Judge Linford accepted the pair had pleaded guilty at the earlier opportunity and handed Cann a three year jail sentence and Bailey a 30 month jail sentence. He said they would serve half before being released on licence.

Plymouth Herald

‘Steaming drunk’ man caught up in Plymouth violence

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August 13, 2024
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He has landed himself in jail

A judge questioned the case against a protestor who pleaded guilty to violent disorder after watching a number of videos supplied by the prosecution.

Gary Harkness, aged 51 of North Road West, Plymouth had previously pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates’ court to the charge of violent disorder on August 5 in Plymouth city centre, accepting his role in the large scale disorder.

He was remanded into custody and appeared along with three other men before Judge Robert Linford who heard from prosecutor Lewis Aldous who said Harkness was prolific throughout the evening and on numerous occasions was captured on CCTV or BodyWornVideo cameras ‘front and centre’ as police attempted to push crowds back. He was abusive towards officers and made a “nuisance of himself”.

He was alleged to have pushed back at a dog handler causing the dog to go towards him.

However, after showing two videos in evidence Mr Aldous was interrupted by Judge Linford who accepted Harkness was clearly present and in the front row but went on to query the charge itself.

He said people were entitled to protests and throw their arms around, “but as long as they’re not using threatening behaviour it’s not an offence, is it?”

Prosecutor Lewis Aldous went on to show a third video showing Harkness near the Minster Church being pushed back by a dog handler and putting his hand up towards the officer.

Judge Linford then called for a halt to proceedings, cleared the court and went into chambers to carry out discussions with the prosecution.

After around half an hour the court returned and a third video was shown whereupon Harkness’s advocate Zoe Kuyken said her client accepted he made the comments “f*** off, come on”, had pushed at a riot shield, and waved his arms about but while he accepted was a threat of unlawful violence but did not accept was that he was physically violent on any occasions and thus this was his basis of plea.

Mr Aldous explained that Harkness had been at work and was walking home and did not know about the protest. He admitted he had been drinking a lot and could not remember much about the incident but had seen the news, claiming he thought it would be a vocal but not violent incident.

The court heard that between him and a friend they had drunk “17 or 18 cans” of alcohol and “three quarters of a bottle of tequila between them”. The court was told Harkness admitted to being a “binge drinker” and was “steaming drunk and absolutely annihilated and didn’t really know what he was doing”.

He claimed he saw the placards, but had no political allegiance himself, was “not a racist”, was ex-military and suffered from PTSD. The court was told he had nine convictions for 14 offences including a 2018 conviction for possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a controlled drug.

Ms Kuyken said Harkness had gone to help a man on the floor when he was pushed by police and pushed back at the shield. He denied taking part in a “violent altercation” but accepted he did make the comments accused of him. He still struggled with drink, suffered PTSD from his time in the army where he particularly worked with dogs and worked helping a friend’s waste management role, which he had now lost due to photographs of him at the disorder appearing in the media. His fiancé was at the back of the court and Ms Kuyken said Harkness regularly helped his elderly mother but this was no longer going to be possible.

Judge Linford said he accepted Harkness’s explanation that he did not align himself with either faction but became involved and the consequence was he pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He said the plea accepted that he threatened unlawful violence. He said he had watched the CCTV and the case was opened as if he was “a prolific” but while he agreed Harkness was “prolifically vocal” he was unable to hear threats and as such he could not be satisfied that he was issuing racist threats.

He said that of the people he had sentenced so far “you are the person that provides me with the most difficulty because it cannot be levelled that you hit anyone, neither have you thrown anything, neither is it said that you spat at anybody”, but Harkness accepted he was party to the disorder and that “anybody party to this disorder has to receive a custodial sentence”.

As such, noting the mitigating and aggravating factors – including his PTSD “as a result for service to this country” and that he was “one of the least involved that I have had to sentence” – Judge Linford handed Harkness a jail sentence of 12 months of which he would serve half before being released.

As he was led away Harkness said: “I apologise for my outburst, sorry again your honour”.

Plymouth Herald

Shameful images of Sunderland rioter John Kirtley revealed as more convicted over violent protests

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August 13, 2024
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Three more men are now behind bars for their roles in disorder that erupted in city

Shirtless and with England flag in hand, this is Sunderland rioter John Kirtley taking part in the violent protests that brought shame on his own city.

The 26-year-old was caught on camera as violence erupted when far-right demonstrations turned to disorder. And today after Kirtley admitted violent disorder in connection with his role in the protests images of his shameful behaviour can be revealed.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard how Kirtley was caught on camera pushing shopping trolleys and throwing bricks and a beer keg towards police officers who were protecting a mosque. He also shouted “England till I die” as he waved a flare.

Kirtley, of Rutherglen Road, Sunderland, was one of three people to be remanded in custody after pleading guilty to violent disorder yesterday. Jack Fowler, 24, of Beaumont Terrace, Newcastle, also admitted the charge at the same court. Both will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court later this month.

Police say the pair were identified when images and footage of the disorder were shared with police, which included shocking scenes of Kirtley kicking out at frontline officers. After officers issued a public appeal to locate Kirtley he handed himself in at Southwick Police Station on Sunday.

Meanwhile James Aspin, 34, of Briardale Road, Blyth, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court in Bedlington yesterday, charged with one count of distributing a recording to stir religious hatred. Aspin pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded in custody, he will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, August 19 for sentencing.

Police were made aware of content posted by Aspin last Friday gaining traction on TikTok , making hateful and threatening comments. He was arrested in the early hours of the Saturday morning, after being recognised by officers.

Det Chief Insp Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigations Team, said: “We are continuing to see great results following the persistent efforts of our officers. Our net is tightening all the time as we trawl through hundreds of hours of footage and intelligence to find those who have played any part in the region’s recent disorder.

“The behaviour demonstrated by these men is certainly not welcome in our communities – and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure they are held accountable.

“Over the past week, we have seen a great show of community togetherness and the support for the Force has been truly heartwarming.

“We will continue to engage with communities to offer reassurance and gather intelligence to support our enquiries – and we welcome anyone who thinks they have anything useful to share to come forward.”

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Man who called for hotel attack jailed

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August 13, 2024
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A man who called for a hotel to be set on fire has been jailed for stirring up racial hatred.

John England’s Facebook posts included one saying a Nottinghamshire hotel should be targeted by what he called “great English men” who had set a hotel in Rotherham alight.

When arrested on Sunday and interviewed by Nottinghamshire Police about his posts over a nine-day period from 30 July to 7 August, England, of Big Barn Lane in Mansfield, told officers he had “a dark sense of humour”.

At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, the 45-year-old was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to publishing and distributing written material to stir up racial hatred.

Judge Nirmal Shant KC told England: “Plainly there was an intention to incite severe violence that would threaten or endanger life.

“In the light of what was going on in the country at the time, your post added to the situation. Therefore you must face immediate custody.”

BBC News

Five men who appeared in the dock after Middlesbrough and Hartlepool riots

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August 13, 2024
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The men faced a range of charges including burglary and possession of a controlled drug

Five men have appeared in court in connection with the recent disorder in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

The men attended Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 12, after being charged by Cleveland Police with a range of offences following the violence which erupted in Hartlepool on Wednesday, July 31, and in Middlesbrough last Sunday, August 4.

The court appearances follow violence across the country in protests organised by far right and anti-immigration groups. See details of the cases below:

Evan James Wilkins-Doyle, 19, of The Spinney, Hartlepool appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with violent disorder. It is alleged that on July 31, on Murray Street, Hartlepool, he used or threatened unlawful violence when present together with others being three or more persons. Wilkins-Doyle did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 29.

Bradley Playford, 24, of Shelley Road, Middlesbrough, indicated a guilty plea to burglary at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He is accused of entering the Red Lantern takeaway on Parliament Road and stealing the till. The incident reportedly took place on Sunday, August 4, as far-right protesters stormed the streets. He was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, August 16.

Middlesbrough’s Noman Ahmed appeared in the dock at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with violent disorder in Middlesbrough. Ahmed, 24, indicated a guilty plea following an alleged incident on Sunday, August 4. The Harrow Road defendant was granted conditional bail to appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 15.

Matthew Putson, 27, indicated guilty pleas to violent disorder and assault by beating after far-right riots in Middlesbrough. According to the charge, on August 4, in Middlesbrough, he used or threatened unlawful violence when present together with others being three or more persons. The Palmer Street, Middlesbrough, was remanded in court to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, August 16.

Declan Dixon, 22, of Salisbury Avenue, Hindley, Wigan, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday accused of possession of cocaine and violent disorder in Hartlepool. The alleged offences took place on July 31, as protesters stormed the streets of Hartlepool. The defendant indicated guilty pleas and was remanded in custody until Thursday August 15, where he will appear at Teesside Crown Court.
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