Girl, 13, convicted over disorder ‘punched and kicked’ outside hotel, CPS says

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August 13, 2024
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The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court on Tuesday and admitted using or threatening unlawful violence on July 31.

A 13-year-old girl has been convicted after “punching and kicking” at the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court on Tuesday and admitted using or threatening unlawful violence on July 31 in Aldershot, Hampshire.

The teenager stood to confirm her name and date of birth before sitting with her parents at the short hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

She also stood to enter her guilty plea to the judge in the court sitting as a youth court.

It is particularly distressing to learn that such a young girl participated in this violent disorder

Prosecutor Thomas Power

A CPS spokesperson said the girl was among several people who gathered outside the Potters International Hotel in the Hampshire town and was seen punching and kicking at the entrance of the hotel.

Senior crown prosecutor with CPS Wessex, Thomas Power, said: “This alarming incident will have caused genuine fear amongst people who were being targeted by these thugs – and it is particularly distressing to learn that such a young girl participated in this violent disorder.

“Large-scale public unrest is never acceptable and the Crown Prosecution Service will not hesitate to respond swiftly and robustly to uphold law and order.

“We will continue working with our partners in policing and the wider criminal justice system to make sure those who bring violence and panic to our communities face the consequences of their actions.”

In court, District Judge Tim Pattinson ordered for a pre-sentence report to be made and adjourned for the girl’s sentencing to take place on September 30 at the same court.

The teenager is on unconditional bail until then.

Evening Standard

Man convicted of throwing bottles at police outside asylum seeker hotel

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August 13, 2024
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Dane Freeman was also seen smashing bricks up in footage of the July 31 disorder.

A man has been convicted of throwing bottles at police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester.

Dane Freeman, 25, of Timson Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Prosecutor Suzanne Ludlow said Freeman was “seen to throw bottles towards police” and “smash bricks up” in footage of the July 31 disorder.

Freeman was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on August 20.

Also on Tuesday, a woman denied purchasing eggs and water for protesters to throw at police outside the hotel on July 31.

Barbara Barker, 52, of Tyndall Avenue, Manchester, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Ms Ludlow alleged Barker was a “willing participant in the disorder” and “aided and abetted the riots” by buying eggs and water from a nearby shop for protesters.

Defending, John Black told the court Barker went to the area because she was “nosey” and was not present when “violence occurred”.

Mr Black said Barker had “no reason” to believe the eggs she purchased would be “used in any unlawful purpose”.

Barker was remanded into custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy was convicted of “participating in riots” in Bolton.
Evening Standard

Shameless Hull rioter ‘offered to sign his autograph in prison after boasting that he was famous’

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August 13, 2024
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John Honey was one of the most notorious looters seen on social media during the violence

One of the most notorious looters seen on social media during the serious outbreak of rioting in Hull is said to have boasted while in prison that he was “famous” – and to have offered to sign his autograph.

High-profile troublemaker John Honey was “over confident and jovial” while he was in custody on remand and he is said to have asked a probation officer in the prison if they wanted his autograph. It was claimed that he showed “no remorse” and that he went to Greggs for a drink because the police pepper spray made him thirsty. His antics became widely featured on social media videos.

But Honey now faces being jailed after he admitted his key role in the frightening large-scale disturbance and looting. He was repeatedly pictured in his England shirt gleefully taking full advantage of the chaotic scenes in Hull city centre. He was also involved in a well-publicised racially motivated incident in which a BMW car was badly damaged, Hull Crown Court heard.

Honey, 25, of Park Grove, off Princes Avenue, west Hull, admitted six offences, including three of burglary that featured a break-in at the Lush shop in Jameson Street, involving stealing bath and cosmetic products, as well as raids on the nearby Shoezone and O2 shops, both with intent to steal, on August 3.

He also admitted offences of violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage to a BMW and causing criminal damage to nine vehicles, including a Ford C-Max, a Renault Clio, a VW Passat, a Jeep, a Seat Leon, a BMW 520d, an Audi A4, a Chevrolet and a Skoda Octavia.

Robbery charges that were originally included in the list of offences to be dealt with have been dropped.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that “mass public disorder” broke out in the city centre, including several fights and disorder outside the Royal Hotel and near the mosque, off Spring Bank. A garage and tyre business was targeted. Fireworks were thrown, a barrage of threats was hurled at police and rubbish bins were pushed or set on fire. There was racist chanting. The railway station and the shops there had to be closed.

Looting happened at shops in Jameson Street, including Lush, Shoezone and O2. Honey was wearing a white England top with a red cross of St George but he later changed into a grey jacket, said Mr Evans.

The Lush store had to shut at 3pm for the protection of staff after it was “ransacked” – causing “utter devastation”. The damage caused at the nearby Shoezone store was put at £320,000. About £40,000 of stock was stolen from the O2 shop.

Honey was present throughout and he played a prominent role in the violence and public disorder. He was seen on CCTV wearing his distinctive white top with the red cross. He was involved at the front of the group who confronted the police outside the hotel.

Honey damaged street furniture and used them as missiles. A garage and repair shop in the Milky Way area was targeted and nine vehicles were damaged, all but one of them connected with the garage.

Honey was involved in that incident as well as one in which three men in a BMW car were confronted by between 100 and 200 males. Honey kicked out at the car and pulled at the door.

Threats to kill the three European men were made and there were shouts of “Get them all out.” Honey made no physical contact with the three men, who managed to flee from the car towards the police and the Royal Hotel. Serious fear was caused to the men.

Honey had previous convictions, including possessing knives.

Charlotte Baines, mitigating, said that Honey – wearing a grey sweatshirt for his court appearance – realised that he faced a prison sentence of some length for his “disgraceful” behaviour in “disorderly public conduct”.

The court heard that it had been claimed that Honey boasted while in custody on remand that he was “famous” and asked whether a probation officer in the prison wanted his autograph.

He was “over confident and jovial” and he seemed to show “no remorse”. He claimed that he went to Greggs for a drink because pepper spray made him thirsty.

Miss Baines said that there was a “factual dispute” about what the probation officer had claimed about what Honey supposedly said. Honey still claimed to be genuinely remorseful. A statement will be obtained from the probation officer.

Sentence was adjourned for that information to be given to the court and Honey was further remanded in custody.

Hull Daily Mail

Man, 25, convicted of throwing bottles at police in Manchester

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August 13, 2024
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A 25-year-old man has been convicted of throwing bottles at police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on 31 July.

Dane Freeman, of Timson Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Suzanne Ludlow says Freeman was “seen to throw bottles towards police” and “smash bricks up” in footage.

He was remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced in a week.

BBC News

Four sentenced for violent disorder in Plymouth

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August 13, 2024
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Four people have been sentenced for their parts in violent protests in Plymouth City Centre earlier this month.

John Cann, Ryan Bailey, Gary Harkness and Amer Walid all previously admitted offences of violent disorder at Plymouth Crown Court.

Cann, 51, who threw a lit firework was told by the judge told he had “no right whatsoever to say who should and shouldn’t be in this country”.

Sentencing him to three years in prison, Judge Robert Linford said Cann had been “spouting the sort of dangerous inaccurate nonsense that was behind these incidents”.

‘Costing this country’

The court heard Cann, of Patna Place, who has 26 convictions for 170 offences, referred in a police interview after his arrest to the cost to taxpayers of immigrants and said he thought the protest was “because an immigrant had killed some girls”.

The judge said the “person in question was not an immigrant but they and you didn’t care, it was just an excuse”.

Judge Linford said he wanted to talk about the cost to the taxpayer of Cann’s activities, saying he had 10 aliases, four fictitious birthdates and 170 offences for which he had been sentenced to 357 months in prison for – most of which had run concurrently.

“That Mr Cann is what you’ve been costing this country,” Judge Linford said.

“You have no right whatsoever to say who should and shouldn’t be in this country.”

The court heard Ryan Bailey, 41, of no fixed abode, Plymouth, who also admitted violent disorder, was seen picking up a can and throwing it and also chanting about immigrants not being welcome.

Feleena Grosvenor, defending Bailey and Cann said both were remorseful and had written letters apologising for their actions.

She said Bailey’s letter said: “I’ve reflected on my part of Monday and I’m ashamed of my actions towards the police and the other side. I’m very sorry, I wish I’d never walked down the street that way.”

Sentencing Bailey, who the court heard had 24 convictions for 39 previous offences, to 30 months in prison, Judge Linford said of the anti-immigration chants that he was “in no position to judge anybody”.

“The word is going to go out from this court that that people who behave in this way are going to go to prison and going to go to prison for a considerable time,” he added.

‘Obnoxious racism’

Gary Harkness, 51, of North Road West, who the court heard has nine previous convictions for 14 offences, was sentenced to 12 months for his part in the disorder.

Lewis Aldous, prosecuting, said Harkness could be seen at least eight times on bodyworn camera footage “front and centre” of the far-right protestors, and he later told police he had been drinking and was “steaming drunk and absolutely annihilated”.

Judge Linford said Harkness, who served in the Army and suffered from PTSD, had “encouraged others” but had not hit, thrown or spat at anyone.

A fourth man, Amer Walid, 24, of Central Park Avenue in Plymouth, was sentenced to 20 months for violent disorder.

Mr Aldous said Walid had been to a mosque before going to the protest on the side of Royal Parade.

Mr Aldous said he had thrown “four missiles in the direction of the opposing crowd” and had been shouting “things like ‘Allahu Akbar’”.

Zoe Kuyken, defending, said Walid, who worked in a car wash, “was particularly offended to have alcoholic beverages thrown at him when he doesn’t drink for religious reasons”.

“His religion is incredibly important to him,” she added.

Judge Linford told him: “You have never been in any trouble in your life and what you should have done was simply rise above their obnoxious racism.”

BBC News

Thugs jailed for stirring up racial hatred online during violent disorder

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August 13, 2024
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The two men posted racist messages online while violent disorder erupted across the country

wo men were found to have stirred up racial hatred on Facebook during violent disorder in Merseyside and across the UK. Christopher Taggart, 36, of Ceasars Close, Runcorn, and Rhys McDonald, 34, of Oxford Road, Runcorn, both appeared in Chester Crown Court today (Tuesday, August 13) where they were sentenced for posting racist messages online.

On Monday, August 5, Cheshire Police was made aware of concerning messages openly available to view on Facebook that had been posted by both Taggart and McDonald. The messages included posts containing racial abuse and encouraging people to engage in racial hatred.

Taggart posted the messages online between July 29 and August 6, with McDonald posting messages between July 29 and August 5. Officers used the online profiles to identify the pair and locate them before arresting them on Saturday, August 10. When arrested, Taggart’s address was searched where a knuckle duster was found.

The two men were charged and pleaded guilty before Taggart was sentenced to 32 months and McDonald was sentenced to 28 months for publishing written material to stir up racial hatred. Taggart also pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Chief Superintendent Alison Ross said: “Since the start of the recent disorder in other areas of the UK, we have been clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Cheshire, including those who post racial abuse online. Much of the violent disorder which has taken place across the UK in recent weeks has been fuelled by malicious communications online, something which Taggart and McDonald decided to take part in.

“But they were not able to hide behind their devices and online accounts – they were soon identified and are now being held accountable. This should serve as a stark reminder against posting abusive messages online – we are all responsible for our actions, including what we post on social media.

”
Liverpool Echo

Summerfield pleads guilty

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August 13, 2024
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Luke Summerfield, 33 and of Mansfield Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, is the last defendant to appear before the court today. Summerfield, wearing a white long sleeve top stained with blood and sporting thinning fair hair and a black eye, is represented by Alex Gelling.

He is charged with violent disorder. Summerfield speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before he enters a guilty plea.

Prosecutor Mr Dixon says: “This case again takes us to July 30 and is part of the wider disorder that has swept the area in the past two weeks. He has come from out of the area to enter Southport and join the crowd that has gathered as part of an alleged demonstration that turned into a riot. He has picked up block shaped objects and thrown them at police officers. This has been captured on CCTV.”

The prosecutor adds: “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 hears the defendant was subject to court bail for alleged assault when he attended the disorder in Southport. The prosecutor adds the defendant fled from the police when they attended his home address to arrest him and incurred facial injuries which he appears with in court today. The defendant has one previous conviction for two offences.

Ms Gelling tells the court the defendant has had a rare condition since he was 10 and if he was remanded he won’t be able to seek treatment. She also told the court the defendant will be returned to hospital to have the stitches removed from his eye injury which he received during his arrest.

District Judge Healey remands Summerfield into custody ahead of his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, August 19.

Liverpool Echo

Jake Lowther pleads guilty

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August 13, 2024
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We have reassembled in magistrates’ court this afternoon where the final two defendants charged with violent disorder will appear before a district judge for the first time. Jake Lowther, 20 and of Abrams Fold in Banks, is the first to appear before the court. The prosecutor in court is now Matthew Dixon.

Lowther, who is supported by his mum and dad in court, is represented by Steven Townley who appears via video link. Lowther, wearing a grey t-shirt and sporting tattooed arms and fair hair, speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before he enters a guilty plea to the charge of violent disorder.

Mr Dixon tells the court: “This matter took place in the context of the violent disorder in Merseyside in the last two weeks. He has been in the Southport area in the early disorder close to a mosque on the junction of Sussex Road and St Luke’s Road. The defendant is seen picking up concrete missiles and throwing them at police officers, hitting the shield of one officer. This matter is extremely serious given the use of weapons. He is looking at a lengthy custodial sentence given the nature of his offence. He is a young defendant with no previous convictions.”

In mitigation, Mr Townley says: “There is no application for bail today. The defendant is fairly pragmatic. I did want to discuss the hearing date. Committals for sentence in this area are two months.

“We are dealing with a young man with no convictions. We are asking for reports. I am querying why someone is appearing three working days after a guilty plea.”

District Judge Healey responds: “Having regard to the nature of these incidents, that is the guidance we have been given by the crown court.”

Addressing the defendant, the judge adds: “You are now convicted of this offence. I remand you into the custody of Liverpool Crown Court.” The defendant will be sentenced on Monday, August 19 at the higher court.

The defendants’ mum and dad wave at him and mouth “love you” as he is led down to the cells by two dock officers.

Liverpool Echo

Connor Prescott pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 13, 2024
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Next to appear before the court this morning is Connor Prescott, who is also charged with violent disorder. The 25-year-old of no fixed abode appears in court wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and sporting short dark hair and stubble.

Prescott is represented by Laura Young. He speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before the charge of violent disorder is put to him by the court clerk. He pleads guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor Ms McCoubrey tells the court: “The defendant was involved in the violent disorder in Southport on July 30. The defendant is seen to be playing an active role throwing bricks, masonry and wheelie bins towards the police.

“There is clear CCTV of the defendant throwing things at the police officers. The defendant has one conviction for one offence, which was possession with intent to supply which he received a suspended sentence for in 2019.”

Ms Young, defending, says there is no application for bail.

District Judge Healey remands the defendant into custody ahead of his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, August 19. The defendant nods his head as he is led down to the cells.

Liverpool Echo

Paul Dryhurst pleads guilty

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August 13, 2024
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Paul Dryhurst, 33 and of Gale Road in Litherland, appears in the magistrates’ court dock charged with violent disorder. He appears wearing a grey fleece and sporting a shaved head and glasses.

Dryhurst is represented by Clare Roche. He speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth. The charge of violent disorder is put to him. He pleads guilty to the offence.

Dryhurst played a ‘leading and active role’ in the disorder

Ms McCoubrey, prosecuting, tells the court: “This defendant was part of the violent disorder on Sussex Road in Southport on July 30. He was identified by footage which had been provided by a member of the public. It showed him throwing an object at police and filming it on his phone. He is seen on the footage wearing glasses and a khaki jacket. He throws an object and then moves forward towards the police with the crowd.”

Ms McCoubrey tells the court the defendant played a “leading and active role” in the disorder. Footage played to the court shows a large crowd in Southport chanting “Allah, Allah who the f*** is Allah”.

Members of the crowd then charge towards the police. Ms McCoubrey identifies the defendant to the judge. He is wearing a jacket with his hood up.

The court hears the defendant was arrested over the weekend and was supposed to appear before the courts yesterday. However, Ms McCoubrey says he was taken to the police station last night where he was released “by mistake”.

The defendant has two previous convictions for two offences – the last was in 2012 for common assault.

In mitigation, Ms Roche says: “The defendant was brought to Liverpool Magistrates’ yesterday but he wasn’t accepted. He was then taken to South Sefton Magistrates’ but for whatever reason he wasn’t able to be accepted there as well. He was taken back to the police station and they decided he was fit for bail.

“Not only did he hand himself in on Sunday. He was contacted the previous day after police attended his home address. He was away on a weekend break, but came back early even though he had agreed to hand himself in on Monday. He decided to come back to have it dealt with. He was passed from pillar to post yesterday. He still attended knowing there is a high possibility that when these matters are dealt with he is likely to receive an immediate sentence.

“He is 33 years of age and has not been in trouble since 2012 when he received a community order. He lives with his mum and dad, who are at the back of court today. He has strong connections with his family who have all come to support him. They are not proud of what he has done but will support him to rehabilitate him. He accepts his wrongdoing. He is the sole trader of his own joinery firm. He has a number of outstanding contracts. He has kept himself away from any further violent disorder which has gone on from July to date.”

District Judge Healey denies the defendant bail and remands him into custody ahead of his sentencing at crown court on Monday, August 19. The defendant’s family blow kisses towards him as he is taken down to the cells by dock officers.

Liverpool Echo