Boy, 16, stole £15,000 worth of vapes during Merseyside violence

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August 10, 2024
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He was traced by police due to his ‘distinctive clothing’

A youth who stole vapes worth £15,000 appeared in court today in relation to violent disturbances across Merseyside.

Liverpool Magistrates Court heard that the 16 year-old , who cannot be identified due to legal restrictions, was caught on CCTV breaking a convenience store window with an electric scooter to snatch the vapes and was traced by his distinctive clothing.

The youngster, hailing from Stockbridge Village, was the first to stand before the court this morning. He was charged with violent disorder, two counts of burglary at non-residential properties; criminal damage to a police vehicle and assaulting an emergency worker, reports the Liverpool Echo.

He was amongst the four people who appeared before District Judge Healey on Saturday; the number of men and boys charged in connection to the violent disorder has now reached 25. It comes as violent rioting spread through the streets of Merseyside following the deaths of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, who were killed in the tragic Southport stabbings last month.

The court heard how the 16-year-old was seen on CCTV amongst a group who pulled a police officer off his bike before attacking him. He was also seen jumping on top of a police vehicle where the windscreen was then smashed. He was tracked on CCTV by his distinctive clothing and was seen running along Paradise Street before picking up an electric scooter to smash a window and taking items from SandS News in the city centre. He is seen leaving with a handful of vapes. The boy was later arrested.

Today, he pleaded guilty to all charges. The court has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report and he will appear for sentence on September 17. He was also granted conditional bail and told he was not allowed to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcodes.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, of Cousins Lane, Rufford, was charged with encouraging an offence of murder; encouraging an either way offence namely violent disorder and possession of a bladed article, also appeared in the dock this morning from police custody.

Judge Healey told McIntyre that the case would need to be dealt with at Crown Court due to the seriousness of all charges. He will appear before Liverpool Crown Court on August 15 and no plea for bail was made today.

George Clements, 18, of Egerton Street, New Brighton, also appeared in Magistrates Court this morning, charged with affray. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard how on August 3 Clements was caught on footage fronting up members of the public wearing a face mask. In the footage he can be seen to kick out and throw things at members of the public who were clearly in distress. Judge Healey sent the case to Crown Court and he will appear for sentence on August 15. Clements was not granted bail.

Paul Daintith, of Fraser Street, Liverpool, appeared in court after he was found with a knife inside the area of a Section 60 order, which police put in place following the violent disorders across Merseyside over the last two weeks. The order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, give officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.

The court heard how the defendant was spotted by officers on East Street, in Southport, walking from the bushes at a quickening pace. The police officers spoke to Dantith where he told them he had just found a craft knife. He then proceeded to lift up his top and showed them the knife tucked into his waistband. Dantith was arrested. It was heard in court how during a police interview following his arrest, when asked why he had the knife, in his words “he was a smackhead who picks everything up.”

The case has been committed to Crown Court for sentence, because the defendant has previous conviction for a similar offence. He will appear at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on August 15. Judge Healey denied bail and remanded Dantith in custody – the defendant turned his back to the judge as he told him he was denied bail – he shouted “w*****” as he was taken down into custody.

Manchester Evening News

Man pleads guilty to racially abusing and spitting at bus driver

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August 10, 2024
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A man who racially abused and spat at a bus driver has been convicted after he was quickly identified by Met officers.

Police were called to Coldharbour Lane in Hayes at 12.25hrs on Wednesday, 7 August after Michael Mongan shouted racial abuse at a bus driver.

The driver had refused to let Mongan board as he did not have sufficient funds to pay for his journey.

Mongan spat at the bus driver’s cab a number of times while shouting Islamophobic abuse and other threats.

A video of the incident was widely shared on social media. Mongan was quickly identified and arrested on Friday, 9 August.

He was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage.

Mongan, 39 (03.07.85) of Castle Road, Ealing, pleaded guilty to both charges at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 10 August. He was remanded in custody for sentencing at the same court on Tuesday, 13 August.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “The bus driver who was racially abuse and spat at by Michael Mongan was simply doing his job. He and all other staff who work across London’s transport network have a right to do so in safety, free from unacceptable threats and intimidation.

“I hope the fast response from our officers sends a clear message that we will act to hold those who behave in this way to account.

“I’m glad Mongan has been swiftly brought to justice and will now face the consequences of his actions.”

Met Police

Two more thugs admit roles in sickening attack on black man amid Piccadilly Gardens violence – as two others, including 13-year-old boy, plead guilty following disorder

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August 10, 2024
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A string of men and boys have been hauled to Manchester Magistrates’ Court this week, with 16 so far admitting their crimes following the ugly scenes in Manchester city centre; disorder outside a hotel in Newton Heath; and trouble in Bolton. More defendants appeared before District Judge Lucy Hogarth today.

Two more thugs have admitted their involvement in a sickening mob attack on a black man during violent scenes in Piccadilly Gardens after ‘protesters’ flooded into Manchester city centre. A teenager has also pleaded guilty to violent disorder having being accused of confronting cops trying to control crowds, breaking through a barrier and snatching beer from someone leaving a Sainsbury’s store.

There was large-scale disruption in the city centre last Saturday (August 3) following a demonstration dubbed ‘Enough is Enough’. Counter-protesters also gathered as tensions flared.

A string of men and boys have been hauled to Manchester Magistrates’ Court this week, with 16 so far admitting their crimes following the ugly scenes in the city centre; disorder outside a hotel in Newton Heath; and trouble in Bolton. More defendants appeared before District Judge Lucy Hogarth today (Saturday, August 10).

Two men – Kane Kelly, 23, of Woodford Road, Failsworth, Oldham; and Daniel Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire – will be behind bars tonight having been remanded into custody after admitting their guilt in relation to the attack on a lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens by dozens of thugs.

Earlier this week, other men admitted their role in the sickening assault – including Liam Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Bradford; Joseph Ley, 30, of Hollywood Towers, Stockport; Colin Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight, Manchester; and Anthony Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton, Tameside.

As Kelly and Hanslip appeared in court, prosecutor Karen Saffman said members of the mob shouted ‘kill him’ and ‘stamp on his f*****g face’. District Judge Hogarth described the incident as a ‘racially aggravated assault’.

Ms Saffman described the violent scenes, which were caught on camera, saying: “It’s a group assault on a lone, black male. The group is heard saying, ‘kill him… stamp on his f*****g face’. The male is then dragged away and then falls to the ground.”

The court heard Hanslip was seen throwing security fencing before joining a ‘melee’ alongside Kelly. Kelly appeared to join the ‘group assault’, the court heard. Ms Saffman said the two men were identified in footage from the incident, some of which has been published on YouTube. She described the clip as ‘disturbing’.

Both men will be sentenced at the Crown court on August 16. Addressing Kelly, District Judge Hogarth said: “This is a racially aggravated group assault in broad daylight in full view of the police and it’s well out of the sentencing powers of this court.”

No application for bail was made for Kelly, who has no previous convictions. His family members were in the courtroom when the judge ruled he would be remanded into custody.

Hanslip was also remanded into custody after his application for bail was rejected. Michelle Man, defending, told the court he has no previous convictions, has a well-paid job and lives with his partner, who was in court and was due to go on holiday with him this week.

Teenager Aaron Davy pleaded guilty for his part in the violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens. The 18-year-old’s birthday was days ater the incident on Saturday (August 3), which he was accused of being ‘heavily involved’ in.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard Davy, of Liney Road, Cheadle, Stockport, was part of a large, chanting group who confronted police. Davy, who was wearing a mask, was pushed back from the police line and later broke through a metal barrier to get closer to counter-protesters.

He was then seen with a man snatching a pack of beer from someone leaving a nearby branch of Sainsbury’s. Karen Saffman, prosecuting, told the court, adding: “He was an active part on this day. He wasn’t just a by-stander – he wasn’t just observing.”

Davy was granted bail after the court heard he tried to kill himself last year. Claire Parrott, defending, said: “In reality this is a very, very frightened young man.” Ms Parrott told the court Davy’s family, who were watching the hearing from the public gallery, were concerned about an older ‘friend’ who took the teenager out that day, but said that the teenager went there ‘on his own volition’ and realises the ‘enormity of the situation’.

She added: “He states that he would never put himself in this situation again.” DJ Hogarth granted bail with conditions that require him to live and sleep at his home address with an electronic tag, ensuring he remains indoors between 7pm and 7am.

Davy must also not gather in a group of more than two without an adult family member there. The judge warned Davy he may be arrested if he breaches any of these conditions and put in a cell overnight. She also told the teenager that he may receive a custodial sentence.

Explaining her decision to grant bail to Davy, DJ Hogarth said: “What I’m about to say now makes no promises about how the Crown Court deals with you. This is very serious conduct that has made communities feel frightened and has made the police’s job more difficult.”

Davy will be sentenced by the Crown Court on Friday, August 16.

On Saturday, a 13-year-old boy was the latest child to appear before DJ Hogarth. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was caught throwing missiles at police outside the hotel – thought to be housing asylum seekers – in Newton Heath. His mum watched from the public gallery.

The court heard he was ‘caught up’ in the violent scenes as the ‘hostile’ and ‘aggressive’ crowd gathered on July 31. The crowd threw glass bottles, bricks and eggs at cops.

Prosecuting, Karen Saffman said: “[The boy] was seen throwing missiles at police and the hostel. He was also seen with a group of youths hitting and kicking a bus with the bus driver and members of the public on that bus.”

Ms Saffman read a statement written by a bus driver who was attacked by the mob. He wrote: “The incident has left me very stressed. It’s made me scared to deal with members of the public because I would never have expected to experience this when I started my shift at the beginning of the day.”

DJ Hogarth told the boy she would adjourn the case and request a report from the youth offending service. He was granted bail with conditions that he lives and sleeps at his home address every night; does leave the property between 7pm and 7am; and does not meet in groups of more than two people without an adult family member present.

Addressing the defendant, DJ Hogarth said: “Very serious things have been happening around you and you joined in. We need to look at how serious that was and what we’re going to do about it.”

The case was adjourned until a hearing on September 17. The boy’s mum was heard saying: “Thank you, thank you so much.”

Others to appear in court on Saturday were:

Anthony Whitelegg, 40, of Mulberry Close, Heald Green, Stockport: Charged with violent disorder in relation to the Newton Heath incident on July 31. No plea indicated. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 16

Darren Butler, 41, of Cattlin Way, Oldham: Charged with violent disorder following the incident in Newton Heath on July 31. No plea indicated. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 13

David Whittaker, 36, of Farnborough Road, Miles Platting, Manchester: Charged with violent disorder in relation to the Newton Heath incident on July 31. Not guilty plea. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 13

Colin Brown, 37, of Moorcroft Road, Manchester: Charged with violent disorder in relation to Piccadilly Gardens disorder; and robbery. He is alleged to have stolen a woman’s scarf. No pleas entered. Remanded into custody head of Crown court hearing on September 13

Manchester Evening News

Far-right extremist convicted of terrorism offences

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August 10, 2024
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A far-right extremist has been convicted of terrorism offences after he shared videos online related to the making of explosives.

Police seized books, masks and memorabilia of an extreme right-wing nature, as well as a 3D-printed firearm, from Gabriel Budasz’s accommodation in August 2023.

The 24-year-old, of Drove Road in Weston-Super-Mare, was found guilty of various terror offences at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday.

Police said content shared by Budasz online was “incredibly dangerous to those vulnerable to radicalisation”.

After a search warrant was executed at Budasz’s house, he was asked to turn off his computer with his leg while he was handcuffed, but he refused.

Prosecutors seized Budasz’s mobile and computer devices and found he used a number of social media sites under different usernames to post extreme right-wing material.
‘A warning’

Det Ch Supt Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), said: “The material contained his extreme right-wing views encouraging violence to further the hateful ideology which he espoused.

“Making this kind of content available online spreads and encourages terrorist ideology and is incredibly dangerous to those vulnerable to radicalisation.

“Unfortunately, the harm that can be caused by those who seek to provoke violence online to further their cause has been only too evident across the country in recent weeks.”

He added that the case should “serve as a warning” that police would “take robust action against those who commit these serious and harmful offences”.

Budasz was found guilty of one count of dissemination of a terrorist publication, four counts of encouraging terrorism and one count of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism at a previous hearing at the Old Bailey on 22 December 2023.

Budasz will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 25 October.

BBC News

Welsh man who boasted about how white his hometown was jailed for nine years

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August 10, 2024
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Gareth Waite shared ‘ethnic cleansing operations’ documents and ‘CIA explosives for sabotage’ manual

A neo-nazi from Wales who bragged that his hometown was “97% white” has been jailed. Gareth Waite from Cardigan was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison following a three-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

During his trial the Mirror reported how 47-year-old Waite uploaded several “strategy” documents relating to a proscribed far-right terrorist organisation National Action. The terrorist publications included The Anarchist Handbook, How to Start and Train a Militia Unit, CIA explosives for sabotage manual, and 100 deadly skills.

Officers began investigating Waite after he boasted about the number of white people in his hometown of Cardigan. He had also uploaded an ethnic cleansing operation document, as well as two National Action strategy documents and Adolf Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf.

When he appeared in court earlier this year, the Mirror reported that prosecutor Maryam Syed KC said: “In August 2019 somebody with the username 8bit uploaded to the world future mx website the following documents. National Action is a far right neo-Nazi organisation and is based in the UK.

“It was founded in 2013 and the group is secretive and has rules to prevent members from talking about it openly. It has been a proscribed banned organisation in the UK since the terrorism act of 2000 made it so on December 16 2016.

“Enquiries were then carried out to identify who this individual was… He was also identified because he used a Pepe the Frog meme with a pink bra over the eyes as a profile picture on several of his anonymous online accounts. 8bit also had accounts on something called Keybase and world truth mx social. World truth mx media – it’s a social media site and it’s a free speech site and it is populated predominantly with right wing content. These are social media platforms. When the police checked the accounts the username ‘8bitkek’ stated in its biography: National Socialist Wales.”

Following an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales, Waite was found guilty by jury of four offences of disseminating a terrorist publication, and two offences of possession of material of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. He had also previously pleaded guilty to one offence of support of a proscribed organisation, namely National Action.

Detective chief inspector Leanne Williams, head of investigations at Counter Terrorism Policing Wales (CTP Wales), said: “We welcome the sentence handed down by the court today. This concludes what was a detailed, thorough, and complex investigation over many months by officers from CTP Wales, assisted by colleagues in Dyfed Powys Police.”

Wales Online

Man jailed over homophobic abuse of police at rally

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August 10, 2024
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A man who yelled homophobic abuse at police during a protest has become the first person in Kent to be jailed following a spate of protests and disorder, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Daniel Baldock, 37, of Ordnance Street, Chatham, was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, following a protest in the town.

He pleaded guilty at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Kris Venkatasami from CPS South East said: “The substantial sentence handed out today shows how seriously the criminal justice system is taking all crimes related to disorder.”

The CPS said at Wednesday’s rally Baldock was asked by police to disperse, but he resisted those requests before yelling homophobic abuse at officers on “several” occasions.

The defence claimed he was not aware there would be protests in the area.

However, the court said he knew “damn well” they were happening, and even if he did not plan on being part of them, he still attended.

Mr Venkatasami said: “Anyone involved in such activity needs to understand that there are consequences to their behaviour.

“The CPS will continue to work with the police and courts to bring those involved to justice.”

Separately, a man arrested in Chatham on suspicion of shouting racial abuse and another arrested in Dover on suspicion of assault and criminal damage have both been released on bail pending further enquiries, Kent Police said.

BBC News

Boy, 17, admits BMW attack during Hull riot

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August 10, 2024
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A 17-year-old boy from Hull has admitted attacking and damaging a BMW with three Romanian men inside.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, also admitted violent disorder, burgling three shops and damaging another vehicle after trouble flared in the city centre last Saturday.

He appeared at Hull Magistrates Court on Friday and is due to be sentenced before a youth court in the same venue on 28 August.

The boy was wielding a spanner and the three men were left “terrified”, prosecutor Emily Robinson told the court.

The men escaped from the car but were chased.

District Judge Mark Daley was told the youth was part of a large mob who also put tyres in cars and set them alight outside businesses to the rear of Spring Bank.

A family, including children, had to retreat to a garage and lock themselves inside, Ms Robinson said.

The 17-year-old, who did not cover his face during the incident, was also seen outside a hotel in Ferensway, where rioters clashed with police.

He then ran down Jameson Street and shoved an industrial-sized wheelie bin into a line of officers, the court heard.

“He was actively involved throwing large missiles,” said Ms Robinson.

He was later caught on CCTV looting three stores – Shoezone, O2 and Lush – on Jameson Street.
Rioter threw cone

The boy was one of a number of people who appeared at the court in connection with the violent disorder.

A 15-year-old boy from the city admitted violent disorder and burglary and will be sentenced at the youth court on 4 September.

The prosecution said he had thrown objects at police officers and taken part in looting at Lush.

Meanwhile, Corey Holloway, 20, of Belmont Street, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being accused of throwing objects, including a traffic cone, at police and pushing an officer with force.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court on 14 August.
BBC News

Another man admits violent disorder after Plymouth riots

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August 10, 2024
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Guy Sullivan was already jailed this week for burglary of Tesco Metro store during disorder

A man who has already been jailed for burgling a Tesco store in plympton Plymouth city centre under the cover of the violent disorder on Monday evening has now admitted taking part in that disorder.

Guy Sullivan, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to the burglary which Judge Robert Linford said was “an offence committed in the context of public disorder”.

He was handed a 16 month jail sentence but had already been recalled prison as he had been released on licence having been jailed in September 2023 for “multiple offences”. His expected released date was June 2025.

Sullivan, of New George Street, used a brick taken from nearby to smash his way in through the door, then kicked a hole big enough to climb through. CCTV footage from several angles captured the entire incident, including Sullivan grabbing a basket and filling it with 12 bottles of alcohol – two at a time – with a value of £281.

On Thursday prosecutor Lewis Aldous told the court that 43-year-old Sullivan had had 35 convictions for 107 offences – 60 of which were for theft and similar offences such as burglary and shoplifting.

Judge Linford told Sullivan, who admitted the burglary at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court: “It was an offence committed in the context of public disorder.

“It doesn’t mean you were engaged in public disorder – it means it happened in that context.”

He said Sullivan effectively “exploited” the ongoing disorder to burgle the store and questioned his commitment to drink-related rehabilitation by stealing 12 bottles of alcohol.

PlymouthLive has learned that after being taken down to the Crown Court cells police arrested him on suspicion of violent disorder, theft from a person – namely a baton from a police officer – and possession of an offensive weapon – the police baton.

Today [Friday August 9] Sullivan, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to all three offences.

He was remanded into custody and will appear at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday 12 August to be sentenced.

Plymouth Herald

Aggressive man at Plymouth riots jailed after smashing TK Maxx window

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August 10, 2024
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Justin Crimp – previously convicted of manslaughter – admitted violent disorder and criminal damage after store CCTV and police Body Worn Video footage was shown to him

A man who smashed the glass door of a city centre store – causing between £5,000 and £10,000 damage – following the Plymouth disorder on Monday has been jailed.

Justin Crimp, of Palace Street, Plymouth appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage on August 5.

Appearing in custody at Plymouth Crown Court this afternoon Crimp, aged 49, listened in the dock as prosecutor Holly Rust summarised the outbreak of protests across the country following the killing of three girls in Southport. She explained how two groups of protesters were on either side of the Royal Parade, describing them as the “far right group” on one side and “the counter protest” on the other.

She said Crimp was “on the very front line of the far right side just across from the Guildhall” and was seen on footage attempting to cross the police line which separated the two groups.

She said he was seen stepping into traffic and was repeatedly stopped and pushed back to the group on the north side. She said during these incidents he pointed “aggressively”, saying “don’t f***ing touch me” and would square up to them.

She said he was seen to jog on the spot as though attempting to charge the officers and towards the counter-protestors. He was seen cheering when objects – including a flare – were thrown at the counter-protesters and heard shouting “Green Army”.

Ms Rust said Crimp was able to break through police lines “on several occasions” and they had to grab him to push him back to his side.

Police BodyWornVideo (BWV) footage was shown in court highlighting the behaviour of Crimp during the protests. In addition the court was shown CCTV from inside the TK Maxx store on Royal Parade which showed Crimp hurling a brick at the glass front door. It bounced off and he picked it up again, throwing it a second time, whereupon it shattered.

The court was told that store staff recognised Crimp, having dealt with him for shoplifting as recently as August 1 this year. Ms Rust said the estimated cost of replacing the shattered door was “between £5,000 and £10,000”.

Crimp was arrested at his home on August 7 and claimed during a police interview that the reason he was trying to cross the road was because “he left his trainers on the other side of the road and was trying to get back to them”.

He then answered “no comment” to further questions and left the interview room. Police attempted to interview him in his cell at Charles Cross police station, but he ignored them and covered himself with a blanket.

Ms Rust read out a statement from a senior manager at South Western Ambulance Service Trust who explained how a large number of additional resources had to be deployed ahead of the protest and during it, which resulted in significant costs “well into the thousands of pounds”.

The Trust manager explained that it was already at “resources escalation action plan red” which meant it was already under severe pressure – currently the second highest level it could be at – and the protests caused even more pressure upon it, resulting in a “significant impact” on its ability to serve the wider public.

Ms Rust said Crimp had 22 convictions for 53 offences, including public order, affray, violence and in April this year twice breached a Domestic Violence Prevention Order resulting in a prison sentence of 28 days. He was also convicted of possession of a blade in public in 2021.

In mitigation his advocate Michael Green said his client had suffered from PTSD from the 1990s and has since been diagnosed with COPD and long standing epilepsy.

He said Crimp had a “long standing” problem with alcohol. He said Crimp had been drinking in the city centre and became involved the protest afterwards. He accepted he was on the frontline on that day. He also noted that he had been out of prison for “many years” save for the 28 day sentence and had not been in custody since 2019.

Sentencing Crimp, Judge Robert Linford said there was widespread public disorder with some coming to Plymouth to engage in peaceful protests and counter-protest, adding “you were not one of those”.

He said the police acted “with considerable and commendable restraint” in dealing with those intent on causing trouble. He said the shops, pubs, clubs and theatre in Plymouth all closed and the transport system was disrupted. He added that impact statements from the bus company highlighted the effect the disorder had on it and police reported general anxiety amongst the public even before the protest began.

Judge Linford said a medical centre was unable to provide cover as staff could not get to work and the ambulance service revealed how this “mob” caused them to suffer “thousands of pounds they could ill afford” by having to deploy additional resources.

He noted how people like Crimp descended on the city and “ran amok” with fireworks, missiles and other objects were thrown with the intent of damaging property and harming other people, including the police, “whose views differed from your own.

He said: “As I said yesterday and will say over and over again – the word is going to go out from this Crown court that people who behave in this way in this city are going to prison and going to prison for a long time.

“You played a role in this disorder. You did so willingly as I’ve seen on the CCTV and enthusiastically. The expression I used yesterday [during other sentencings] and repeat is you added oxygen to the fire of disorder.”

He added that Crimp’s role was as involved in the disorder as any he had already sentenced and while he was not a leader he was “heavily involved”.

Judge Linford noted that Crimp had “an enormous list of previous convictions including convictions for manslaughter, robbery, affray, possession of bladed articles, burglary, drugs offences, damaging people’s property, stealing and so forth”.

While noting that he had been out of prison for five years, Judge Linford said Crimp had not been out of trouble in that time. He said Crimp’s being under the influence of alcohol at the time was not a mitigating feature, it was an aggravating feature. The only “impressive” mitigation was his early guilty plea.

He passed a sentence of 32 months for the violent disorder and four months for the criminal damage to run concurrently.

In 2019 Crimp was jailed for 12 months after he used a plank of wood to break into a fudge shop in Southside Street, Barbican. Appearing at Plymouth Crown Court, it was said he had burgled a home hours before and confronted a dad while holding a rock.

The quick-thinking father managed to photograph the intruder on his mobile phone – and he was recognised by police. Crimp told police could barely recall the break-ins because he had taken Valium, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Victoria Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the South West, said: “Justin Crimp acted disgracefully during the collective disorder in Plymouth on Monday. By involving himself in the unrest and causing destruction to a high street store, he has shown an utter disregard for his community.

“Hundreds of prosecutors have been working around the clock across the Crown Prosecution Service, making rapid charging decisions so that suspects can be brought before the courts without delay.

“The appalling scenes we saw in Plymouth this week will not be tolerated. I hope these convictions send a clear message: those who engage in criminality in our communities will not escape justice.”

Plymouth Herald