First person in Wales convicted after encouraging people to start a riot on social media

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August 9, 2024
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A man who encouraged people to start a riot on social media has become the first person from Wales to be convicted following recent disorder across the UK.

Richard Williams, 34, of Buckley, Flintshire, posted about taking part in a riot and shared a derogatory meme about migrants in a local Facebook group dedicated to protests, Mold Magistrates’ Court heard.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of sending menacing messages via a public communication network. He is due to be sentenced this afternoon.

Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Cymru/Wales, said:

“Williams wrongly thought that he could spread derogatory and menacing content from behind a computer screen.

“Despite not taking part in unrest himself, he used social media to encourage others to engage in violent behaviour.

“I hope today’s result sends a clear message to those using the internet to sow division – your actions have consequences and you will be prosecuted.”
Manchester Evening News

Man who kicked police officer sentenced to 10 month behind bars

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August 9, 2024
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A man who kicked a police officer during large-scale disorder in Whitehall has been jailed for 10 months.

Ozzie Cush, 20, of Reading, confronted a group of Metropolitan Police officers before hitting one individual with his foot at a demonstration near Trafalgar Square on July 31.

Prosecutor Alex Agbamu said Cush walked “deliberately” into the path of one officer, Pc Philip Munt, before he “kicked out” at him.

A video played in court showed the defendant approaching a group of police officers just outside Trafalgar Square before raising his leg at one of the officers and subsequently being detained.

Cush pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Today, he was sentenced to 46 weeks’ detention in a young offenders’ institution.

Sentencing, Judge Benedict Kelleher said the offence “displayed a complete contempt for the police”. He added:

“Your actions also ran the risk of inflaming the wider situation and encouraging others to attack the police.”

Manchester Evening News

Thug in tears in court as three Sunderland rioters admit violent disorder after far-right protests

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August 9, 2024
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Three Sunderland rioters have admitted violent disorder and will be sentenced later this month

Dean Groenewald, Paul Williams and Liam Doeg pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: Northumbria Police)

Three Sunderland rioters have appeared at court to admit their involvement in violent disorder that broke out at a far-right protest.

Liam Doeg, 33, Paul Williams, 45, and Dean Groenewald, 32, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, committed on August 2 in Sunderland city centre. Doeg also pleaded guilty to burglary – he raided a vape shop and made off with products.

The trio appeared separately at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning and all were remanded into custody until their sentencing hearings at Newcastle Crown Court. They are set to appear at that court on Thursday, August 15.

The court heard that all three men were involved in the far-right riot, which broke out following the Southport stabbings. There was a large police presence from early evening as the protest flared into violent scenes of unrest and disorder. A car was overturned and set alight and riot police were attacked during the widely condemned chaos.

Doeg, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, was seen throwing bricks, stones, a wheelie bin and a “large pub umbrella” during the disorder. He was then seen smashing the windows and doors of a vape shop before stealing products.

Lucy Todd, prosecuting, said: “He is seen on various CCTV clips of being among a large group of people throwing items at police officers. It was [a part of] widespread disorder.” Police body-worn footage was shown in court which captured Doeg throwing objects at police as people cheered in the background. Ms Todd said he remained at the scene throughout and serious “fear and disruption was caused”.

Gerry Armstrong, defending, did not make any application for bail. District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded Doeg into custody as he has a “history of committing offences on bail.”

The second defendant, Paul Williams, of Esdale, Sunderland, was seen threatening police officers, shouting and pushing them during the disorder. Ms Todd said: “He used a can of lager and a piece of a fence as weapons”. Police body-worn footage, which was shown in court, captured him shouting “You want some?” at police before taking his top off.

Gerry Armstrong defending said that some form of mitigation will be put forward at a later hearing that will give some explanation as to why he got involved. Williams was in tears throughout the hearing and was remanded.

Dean Groenewald, 32, of Ryhope, Sunderland, was the third and final defendant to appear at the morning hearing and pleaded guilty to violent disorder. The court heard he threw bricks during the August 2 riot and was captured on body-worn footage. He had 30 previous convictions for 55 offences, including six failing to surrender offences. He also had affray offences on his record.

Ben Hurst defending said he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and “wishes to apologise to the police and general public for his behaviour. He added: “He had been caught up in what has gone on. He made a terrible decision and understands he is going nowhere but prison.”

Newcastle Chronicle

Defendant in Bristol told police ‘I was just a drunk idiot’, court hears

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August 9, 2024
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Two men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bristol city centre on Saturday night.

Mark Bowen, 40, of no fixed address, and Daniel Russell, 47, of Redfield, Bristol, appeared separately before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon. Both admitted the single charge against them and were remanded in custody ahead of their sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on August 14.

District Judge Lynne Matthews described how Bowen commented to police: “I didn’t even know what was going on, I don’t have social media, I was just a drunk idiot”.

The judge told Russell: “You will appear for your day of reckoning at the crown court at Bristol on Wednesday.”

Manchester Evening News

Tom Neblett pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Tom Neblett, wearing a fleece and sporting black hair, is brought into the dock. He is represented by Heather Toohey. Neblett, supported by three members of his family, speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The charge of violent disorder is put to him. Neblett, 20 and of High Park Road in Southport, enters a plea of guilty.

Defendant seen ‘climbing on top of a white van and throwing bricks at police officers and vehicles’

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “The crown says the defendant played a leading role in the violence in Southport. The Southport community now fears violence. He is seen to be climbing on top of a white van and throwing bricks at police officers and vehicles. He is also seen throwing objects towards a police carrier and behaving in a violent manner while standing in a large group.”

The defendant has a previous conviction for possession of cannabis in April 2023 and youth convictions for battery, handling of stolen goods and theft.

In mitigation, Ms Toohey tells the court: “The defendant is taking a pragmatic approach. He understands he will be sentenced next week and understands there is an inevitability to the sentence he will get. He is very lightly convicted as an adult. He would refute playing a leading role. He didn’t organise this and got caught up in something on the streets of Southport. There is no bail application today.”

District Judge Healey confirms the defendant will be remanded into custody until August 15 for sentence at the crown court. The defendant speaks briefly with his family before leaving to go down to the cells.

Liverpool Echo

Tony Hazlett pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Tony Hazlett, wearing a dark grey t-shirt and sporting grey hair and glasses, enters the courtroom and gives a thumbs up to two members of his family. He is represented by Paul Kilty. He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address for the court.

The clerk puts the charge of violent disorder to him. Hazlett, 46 and of Bank Road in Bootle pleads guilty to the offence.

Hazlett ‘was witnessed throwing bricks towards police officers’

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “The defendant is 46 and on July 30 he was present during the disorder in Southport, a community already grieving. He was witnessed throwing bricks towards police officers. Intelligence was received that he was Tony Hazlett and he was circulated as wanted by the police. Officers attended his address and he was arrested for suspicion of violent disorder.”

The defendant has 15 previous convictions for 44 offences, most recently for criminal damage in 2016. He also has a previous conviction in 2011 for affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

In mitigation, Mr Kilty says: “His record has been referenced and some 13 years ago he was involved in a public order act of affray. This was outside his home address and he challenged someone with violence. There has been a significant gap in terms of similar offending. A lot can happen in someone’s life. He is a different person today.

“He is the father of six children, one just 14 weeks of age. Four of those children live near his house with his ex-partner and he sees them often. He has a son who suffers with autism and assists in the additional care involved in managing his condition. He is a family man who suffers with depression and anxiety and has overused alcohol to manage it.

“Unfortunately he consumed some alcohol on the day in question when he was invited to join friends in Southport. Originally they planned to be part of the vigil but when they were off the train they headed towards a different area and were present on St Luke’s Road. Mr Hazlett’s role is caught on a clip lasting a matter of seconds when he is throwing two items in the direction of the police cordon.

“It’s not known if it caused any damage. He has not gone with the intention to cause disorder. He isn’t wearing a face covering, nor is he part of any organised political group. He said once there he got carried away with it. He said in a police interview after 10 minutes he decided to leave of his own accord and went back home alone hoping nothing more would come of it. Yesterday morning the police knocked on his door and he explained to them he was sorry that he was part of the disorder.”

District Judge Healey refuses bail and tells the defendant that he will be remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court next week. The defendant speaks briefly with his family before heading to the cells.

Liverpool Echo

Man who used bricks, wheelie bin and pub umbrella against officers in Sunderland pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Two men charged with violent disorder after the shocking scenes in Sunderland have pleaded guilty as they appeared in court.

Liam Doeg, 33, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and one count of burglary.

Lucy Potts, prosecuting, said he had been seen throwing ‘stones, bricks, a wheelie bin and a large pub umbrella’, and had been part of a group pushing a pub table towards officers.

He had also been observed entering a vape shop and leaving with a number of items.

There were no defence representations.

Williams pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Ms Todd said he had made repeated threats against officers and used a can of lager, and later a piece of fence, as a weapon.

He was shouting “Come on, then, let’s ****ing go.”

Gerry Armstrong, defending, said there would be an explanation for his behaviour, but it would ‘in no way amount to a defence’.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on August 15.

Sunderland Echo

Man admits ‘barrelling into police officer’ during Southampton protest

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August 9, 2024
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Ryan Wheatley is facing a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to assault by beating of a police officer who he “barrelled” into at a protest in Southampton. The 40-year-old, of Malvern Close, Fair Oak, admitted running into Sergeant Rob Perry at the demonstration on Wednesday.

Leah Dillon, prosecuting, told Southampton Magistrates’ Court, that the defendant had attended the protest wearing a mask and a hooded top with an England flag draped over his shoulders. She said that he was part of a small group of anti-immigrant protesters who were confronted by a group of about 400 counter protesters.

Ms Dillon described how Wheatley was spotted by Sgt Perry leaving the group and attempting to run at the counter-demonstration. She said that he stepped in to intervene when the defendant ran straight into him.

She said that the officer sprayed Wheatley with an incapacitant spray and he was arrested. Ms Dillon said that he accepted in interview that he had “barrelled into the officer”.

Barry Keel, defending, said that Wheatley, who is unemployed, had expressed remorse for his actions and added: “He accepts he has let himself down, his family down, he is a family man with children and grandchildren.”

District Judge Tim Pattinson committed the case for sentencing at Southampton Crown Court on Monday, August 12, and remanded Wheatley in custody until then.

Manchester Evening News

Curtis Faure pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Curtis Faure, wearing a grey tracksuit and sporting black hair, is brought into the dock. He is represented by Gary Bryan. He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He is supported by his mum and brother.

The charge of violent disorder is put to him. Faure, 19, and of Thomas Lane in Broadgreen, pleads guilty.

Faure was at Gravity Max then joined the riot

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “The defendant is 19. He was present during the disorder on August 3 in the city centre on The Strand. He was captured throwing a brick. In the following days a number of images were circulated in the press. The particular image pictured the defendant throwing a brick and on August 8 the defendant attended Marsh Lane police station and said it was him.”

In mitigation, Mr Bryan says: “When the image was circulated he immediately presented himself to the police station. He made admissions during his police interview. He was at Chavasse Park with a friend to hang out and visit Gravity Max. He became aware of the disturbance and walked down. And when he was there, in a singular moment of madness, he threw a brick towards the officers.

“He had no intention to harm anyone but accepted he threw it. He said there were no racial elements to his action and his parents are from South Africa. He has no discriminatory beliefs and this was a singular moment of madness. He stated he wished he could turn back time and his parents were ashamed of him. He has shown genuine remorse. He has never been arrested before. You can imagine his state of mind as he appears before the court today. He is a team leader at a supermarket. He works full time, often working six days a week for long hours.”

Addressing the defendant, District Judge Healey says “You pleaded guilty. It’s too serious to be dealt with here. You will be sentenced on August 15. On August 3 you made the conscious decision to engage in the most violent disorder this country has seen in recent years. You were actively engaged on that day.

“It’s a serious offence, there is a real chance of a serious prison sentence. You have no previous convictions and say you are remorseful. You are in full time employment and have family support but you chose to get involved in this.”

The judge remands the defendant into custody ahead of his sentencing. The defendant’s mum bursts into tears as her son is led down to the cells.

Liverpool Echo

Gerard Cooch pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Gerard Cooch, wearing a grey t-shirt and sporting shaved hair, has been brought into the dock. He will be represented by Tony Murphy. Cooch, who is supported in court by three members of his family, speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The charge of violent disorder is put to him. Cooch, 39 and of Merton Road in Bootle, pleads guilty.

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “On August 3 there was a large-scale disorder. He was present, in drink and directed hostility. The defendant was seen shouting abuse in a vulgar fashion and throwing the contents of a pint glass towards police officers. He kicked their protective shields on two occasions. This riled up onlookers and officers fled. He was PAVA sprayed. The defendant presented himself at Copy Lane police station after images were circulated on national media.”

In mitigation, Mr Murphy said: “The defendant was acting on his own. His actions are of a lone individual. He’s not part of a far-right or political group. He hopes the matter can be dealt with swiftly. He has just finished the second year of a university course and is due to start the third year in September.”

The defendant has seven previous convictions for 11 offences, most recently a drug offence in 2019 when he was on a suspended sentence. District Judge Healey remands the defendant into custody ahead of his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on August 15.

Members of the defendants’ family blow kisses at him as he is led to the cells.

Liverpool Echo