Sellafield worker jailed after sharing ‘offensive’ Facebook posts

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August 12, 2024
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A FIFTY-one-year-old Egremont man has become the latest person in the county to be jailed for posting racially aggravated online social media posts linked to national civil unrest.

Sellafield worker Lee Joseph Dunn, of Church Street, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this afternoon (Monday).

Dunn pleaded guilty to one offence. He admitted sending, by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

His crime occurred on July 30 and 31 and involved three shared Facebook posts.

Prosecutor George Shelley said Dunn had posted three separate images. The first one showed a group of men, Asian in appearance, at Egremont crab fair 2025, with the caption: “Coming to a town near you.”

The second also showed a group of men, Asian in appearance leaving a boat on to Whitehaven beach. This, said Mr Shelley, had the caption: “When it’s on your turf, then what?”

A final image showed a group of men, again Asian in appearance, wielding knives in front of the Palace of Westminster. There was also a crying white child in a Union flag T-shirt. This was also captioned, said Mr Shelley, with the wording: “Coming to a town near you.”

Cumbria Police had confirmed before the hearing that Dunn had been charged with posting offensive and racially aggravated content online.

Dunn was said by his lawyer, Andrew Gurney, to have apologised for his online actions. He had removed the offensive content he posted, and was given credit for this by the district judge, a John Temperley.

Dunn was handed an immediate eight-week jail term — discounted by a third from 12 weeks in view of his guilty plea — by district judge John Temperley.

Last week the same judge had given 31-year-old Billy Thompson, of Victory Crescent, Maryport, an immediate 12-week sentence. Thompson had written a racially aggravated Facebook post which contained emojis both of an ethnic minority person and a gun.

Sentencing Thompson, Judge Temperley had said of the zero tolerance approach being taken by courts:

“This offence, I’m afraid, has to be viewed in the context of the current civil unrest up and down this country. And I’ve no doubt at all that your post is connected to that wider picture.

“I don’t accept that your comments and the emojis that you posted were directed at the police. I’ve read in the case summary of the comments you made on arrest which clearly demonstrate to me that there was a racial element to the messaging and the posting of these emojis.

“That has to be reflected in the sentence as does there need to be a deterrent element in the sentence that I impose, because this sort of behaviour has to stop.

“It encourages others to behave in a similar way and ultimately it leads to the sorts of problems on the streets that we’ve been seeing in so many places up and down this country. This offence is serious enough for custody.”

News and Star

Man who shouted ‘England ’til I die’ as he threw bricks at police outside Sunderland mosque pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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A man shouted “England ‘til I die” as he threw bricks at police as they guarded a mosque during violent disorder in Sunderland.

John Paul Kirtley, 26, also kicked an officer’s protective shield and hurled a beer keg in the direction of police when violence flared.

Kirtley, of Rutherglen Road, Hylton Red House, Sunderland, faces up to three years behind bars after he admitted a charge of violent disorder.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard he was among a baying mob which struck on the night of Friday, August 2.

District Judge Zoe Passfield said Kirtley had accepted his role in “large-scale violent disorder” – and remanded him into custody.

Prosecutor Paige Sparks said: “The defendant is described as holding a blue flare and shouting on camera, ‘England til I die’, and is seen on footage holding an England flag and acting aggressively and kicking an officer’s shield.

“He threw a brick, near where police were protecting a mosque. He picked up a beer keg and threw it towards police.”

Jason Smith, defending, did not apply for bail and made no representation to the court.

Judge Passfield told Kirtley he will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, August 22

Sunderland Echo

17-year-old boy pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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A 17-year-old boy has admitted the charge of violent disorder at Youth Court.

The court heard that the boy – who cannot be identified for legal reasons, being under 18 – is currently from the Torquay area and is in care.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder said the boy’s social worker was not in attendance in court.

She explained that police video footage showed the boy wearing a face covering while on the House of Fraser side of Royal Parade. She said he was seen to kick an item that appeared to be alight before he then picked up a can and threw it towards the counter-protestors.

Ms Tresidder said the boy was also heard changing “we want our country back”.

When questioned by police he replied no comment to all questions. While he had no previous convictions he was given a conditional caution last month for an offence which took place in May.

His advocate said his client had been in care for a short while and he was in Plymouth visiting friends. He did accept his involvement and had a history of some issues including self-harm.

District Judge Smith told the boy that a significant number of people across the country were being sentenced for violent disorder, reminding him that “this is serious”.

He adjourned the case until September 5 for a sentencing hearing at Youth Court before granting the boy conditional bail with a curfew.

Plymouth Herald

16-year-old Plymouth girl pleads guilty at Youth Court to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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Prosecutor Claire Tresidder explained to the court how the girl – who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions on people under the age of 18 – was seen by police throwing two items items including a vodka bottle.

The girl, who sat in the dock while her parents sat in the well of the courtroom at Plymouth Magistrates’ court, had no previous convictions.

Her advocate, Graham Kinchin said his client’s case was similar to that of another youth who appeared last week.

District Judge Stuart Smith said this was a “serious matter” and “many many people” are being sentenced across the country in relation to the disorders.

He said he would adjourn sentencing to allow for the Youth Justice Service to prepare reports.

He granted the girl conditional bail with an 8pm to 6am daily curfew until the sentencing hearing at the Youth Court on September 5.

Plymouth Herald

John Cann pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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John Cann, aged 51 of North Road West, Plymouth has pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Monday August 5.

After hearing the charge Cann, flanked by two security officers in the dock, replied “Oh yeah, I’m guilty” before putting his hands up in the air.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder said police footage showed Cann on the “city centre” side of Royal Parade and was “seen to be on a bike”. This was actually a form of mobility scooter as Cann has a prosthetic lower leg.

Ms Tresidder said Cann was seen to pick up items from the floor and throw them in the direction of the counter protestors. She said according to footage from police Cann was also seen to throw a firework which landed on the counter-protestors’ side and run from where it landed.

The court was told that Cann did have previous convictions, the most recent being possession of an offensive weapon in 2019.

District Judge Stuart Smith said Cann had accepted his role in the “very significant” disorder which occurred on that day. He added: “Violent thuggery is not going to be tolerated” but his own sentencing powers were not sufficient.

As such Cann would be remanded into custody and would appear at Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday August 13 for sentencing.

Plymouth Herald

Ryan Bailey pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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Bailey, aged 41 of no fixed abode – but he states he is staying at the George Hostel – has pleaded guilty to violent disorder on August 5.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder again refers to the footage captured by police which showed Bailey picking up a can and throwing it towards counter protestors on the Civic Centre side of Royal Parade, causing a liquid to spray out.

She said he was also heard changing with others chanting “say it loud, say it clear, illegals not welcome here”.

The court heard Bailey had previous convictions with the most recent being in 2020 for attempt robbery. She said before that he had “regular offending” primarily for dishonesty matters.

District Judge Stuart Smith remanded Bailey into custody and he will next appear at Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday where he will be sentenced.

Plymouth Herald

Gary Harkness pleaded guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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Harkness, aged 51 and of North Road West, Plymouth pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Monday August 5.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder said Harkness was standing on the House of Fraser side of Royal Parade and was seen “to be standing at the front of the group constantly throughout the incident”, “making offensvie hand gestures towards the Civic Centre group”. She said he was being “abusive approximately eight times” and there were “two physical altercations with police”.

The court was told Harkness was seen “making w***** gestures” towards counter-protestors. Harkness was also seen attempting to break through police lines and reach the counter-protestors.

Ms Tressider said on occasions police had to push Harkness away and at one point he pushed a police dog handler and then attempted to grab the dog handler’s “hand or baton” and walked towards the dog handler “in an aggressive fashion”.

The court heard Harkness had previous convictions the latest being in 2018 which was for possession of a prohibited weapon and drugs offences.

His advocate told the court that Harkness “doesn’t hold right wing views or affiliation” and that he “regrets being there” on the night. He said Harkness was seen “amicably chatting” to people on the “anti-fascist” side of the road.

District Judge Smith said the powers of the Magistrates’ court was insufficient and as such Harkness would be remanded into custody ahead of a sentencing hearing at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday.

Plymouth Herald

Lynden Parker: Enters guilty plea, case referred to Crown court

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August 12, 2024
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A man pleaded guilty to throwing a missile at a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Lynden Parker, 26, of no fixed abode, was seen on footage shared on social media to be throwing an item at the hotel in Newton Heath.

“Two people had entered the hotel who the crowd believed to be asylum seekers, the police have said,” prosecutor Tess Kenyon told the court.

“Someone was also heard to shout ‘P*** c***’ before the bottle was thrown. The Crown do not allege this was said by the defendant.”

Mitigating, Mr Hewitt said his client ‘threw it at the hotel and then left’.

Remanding him into custody because of his ‘appalling behaviour’, District Judge Joanne Hirst said: “This inflamed the crowd and no doubt frightened those who were going into the hotel. You have previously thrown a missile at a football match and assaulted somebody, so there is evidence of previous thuggish conduct.”

He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on August 19.

MEN

Jeweller faces jail for gun gestures towards police at Westminster disorder

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August 12, 2024
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Russ Cooke say he can’t remember hurling racist abuse and making gun signs at police

A retired jeweller who made gun and knife gestures towards police in a torrent of abuse and racism during disorder in Westminster is facing jail.

Russ Cooke, 66, shouted that officers should be “put to the sword” and was heard referencing “f***ing Muslims” during the incident in Whitehall on July 31.

Westminster magistrates court heard Cooke also mentioned the IRA and was heard shouting “bang bang” as he pointed a gun sign at lines of police.

He has now pleaded guilty to three racially aggravated public order offences, and has been remanded in custody to await sentencing.

Disorder broke out in Whitehall that day at the end of an “Enough is Enough” protest, as large groups of people became embroiled in clashes with police while flares were launched at the Downing Street gates and a statue of Winston Churchill.

Prosecutor David Burns said Cooke, who had been drinking, was caught on police body-worn cameras as he was “shouting and pointing towards the direction of the officers”.

He said Cooke shouted “they are going to be put to the sword” before he made a gesture with his hand of slitting his throat.

Cooke called officers “mugs”, and said “no wonder they call them filth”, the court heard.

Mr Burns said offensive words were aimed at Muslims, and he also “made reference to the IRA while making a gun symbol with his hands, shouting ‘bang, bang’.”

Cooke, who has no previous convictions, told the court as he pleaded guilty that he cannot remember his actions on that day.

“I don’t remember none of it, I don’t know what to say”, he said from the dock.

The court heard Cooke, a retired jeweller from Islington, admits have a “serious drinking problem” and denies being a racist, saying he “got carried away due to being drunk”.

The court was also told he is on medication for mental health issues and has suffered a past heart attack.

District Judge Briony Clarke remanded Cooke in custody until a sentencing hearing at Inner London crown court later this week.

“Because of the context in which these offences were committed and the large scale disorder that took place at the time – not assisted by your involvement – my powers of sentencing in this court are insufficient”, she said, when deciding to send the case to the crown court.

“You travelled to the location from your home address and have taken part in widespread disorder, and made incredibly unpleasant comments.”

She added that she must remand him in custody because of a risk of further offending when drunk: “It seems you have a drinking problem and you haven’t been seeking any assistance.”

Earlier, a second man was sentenced after he shouted “paedo” at police officers during the same disorder in Westminster on July 31.

Christopher Jones, 52, admitted using abusive words towards officers who had been called out to tackle the disorder.

The court heard Jones was not charged with any criminal offence of violence and his lawyer insisted he was not accused of “general thuggery”.

Mr Burns said Jones was heard shouting that his son is a “f***ing 16-year-old kid” before adding “paedo”.

Sundeep Pankhania, mitigating, said Jones had been “behaving entirely appropriately” during the earlier protest in Westminster, and the offensive words were shouted “out of frustration and fear”.

“It is completely distinct from general thuggery”, he added.

Jones, who lives in Romford, pleaded guilty to a public order offence of using threatening or abusive words, and Judge Clarke ordered him to pay a £350 fine.

She noted he has past convictions for offences including criminal damage and theft, but no past incidents of public disorder.

Jones was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £140 victim surcharge.

“I suggest you steer clear of this sort of incident in future, and do not repeat this sort of behaviour”, she added.

Jones was arrested on Sunday and spent around 24 hours in custody before being released by the court.

A third defendant, Jason Guiver, 51, pleaded not guilty on Monday to an allegation of affray.

It is said Guiver, a £60,000-a-year commercial director at a payroll company, was “remonstrating” with police as they protected a cordon, allegedly made threats, and he is accused of pushing one of the officers.

Judge Clarke remanded Guiver, of Ongar in Essex, into custody until a hearing at Inner London crown court on September 9.

Evening Standard