Man who pelted officers was floored by police dog during Sunderland disorder, court told

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August 5, 2024
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Yobs involved in Friday’s night’s rioting in Sunderland have appeared in court to admit their guilt.

Andrew Smith, 41, Josh Major, 29, and Leanne Hodgson, 43, were remanded into custody due to fears they would engage in further violence.

Smith, of Swan Lodge, High Street East, tossed an object at police as they dealt with shocking mob violence in city centre Keel Square.

His antics led to him being subdued by a police dog, prosecutor John Garside told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Garside added: “The police state the defendant has been identified due to throwing an object at officers. A police dog took him to the ground.”

Balaclava-clad Major, also known as Kellett, 29, of Southcroft, Fatfield, Washington, was caught on camera throwing a stone in the city centre.

Despite trying to hide his identity, Major, who has 20 previous convictions, was identified by his distinctive tattoos, Mr Garside said.

He added: “The defendant can clearly be seen on footage where he is acting as part of a large group and throwing a stone.

“He was wearing a Balaclava but visible were tattoos which allowed him to be identified.”

Alcoholic Hodgson, of Holborn Road, Ford Estate, claimed she involved herself in violence only after she left a pub which closed early due to disorder outside.

But Mr Garside said of Hodgson, who has six previous convictions: “The evidence shows that the defendant was identified from footage which shows her repeatedly pushing a large, wheeled bin towards police.

“There was a large crowd cheering her on and joining in. The defendant was subsequently arrested at her home address.”

All three defendants pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and were remanded into custody by District Judge Zoe Passfield.

The judge told them they had willingly engaged in violence.

She ordered pre-sentence reports, and the defendants will appear next at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, September 2.

Paul McAlindon, defending Smith, said: “He does absolutely regret the decision he made to be involved in it.

“He hasn’t been in trouble for 14 years. He is alcohol dependent. Alcohol played a part on Friday.”

Sandra Fife, defending Major, did not make representation to the court and did not apply for bail.

Annalisa Moscardini, defending Hodgson, said: “She had been in a pub drinking. The pub was being closed and she has gone out into the street.

“There are long running alcohol problems, and there is mental health. This is not a woman who has gone out intent on violence.”

Three other defendants have appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in connection with Friday’s disorder in Sunderland.

Shaun Doran, 48, of Villette Road, Hendon, pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder in city centre Holmside.

Clinton Morrison, 31, of St Barnabas Way, Hendon, entered no plea to a charge of committing violent disorder in Market Square.

Brian Gilby, 27, of Hendon Burn Avenue, Hendon, pleaded guilty to burglary in relation to entering a city centre vape store, ransacked as part of the rioting, and stealing stock.

Gilby pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing violent disorder.

All three were remanded into custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 2.
Sunderland Echo

Man in court in Liverpool after becoming ‘violent’ and ‘punching officer in face’

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August 5, 2024
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Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Southport, indicated guilty pleas to violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting, said PC Thomas Ball was deployed to the mosque on St Luke’s Road, Southport, on July 30, where a group of around 300 people arrived shouting “this is our f****** country” and “scumbag b*stards”.

The court heard officers had to withdraw for fear of being overwhelmed.

PC Ball stood to protect colleagues as they tried to put on riot gear when Drummond became violent, shouting “sh*thouses” and moved towards him, punching him in the face, Mr Sanderson-Kirk said.

Bricks were later thrown after a garden wall was broken down, the court was told.

Short clips of footage from a body-worn camera and the police helicopter were shown to the court.

No application for bail was made and District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded Drummond in custody for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on August 29.

Two women sat at the back of the court for the hearing, one was in tears and the other blew Drummond a kiss as he left.

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Ellis Wharton brought to court

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August 5, 2024
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The 22-year-old is charged with burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library and assaulting an emergency services worker, namely PC Thomas Nielsen.

He is brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit with a black eye and short mousey hair. Wharton speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He pleads guilty to burglary and not guilty to the assault. Mr Sanderson-Kirk says that the defendant was found inside the library carrying the computer screen by PC Nielson, who told him: “You’re getting locked up.”

Judge Boswell sends the case to the crown court on August 29.

Wharton, who has no previous convictions, is remanded into custody until this date.

Liverpool Echo

Woman pleads guilty to violent disorder in Sunderland

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August 5, 2024
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A woman has pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen on footage pushing a large bin towards a police line during unrest in Sunderland.

Leanne Hodgson, 43, of Holborn Road, Sunderland, denies being involved in the original march but says she had been out drinking and became involved in the disorder when the pub closed, a court heard.

South Tyneside Magistrates Court was told she “came out into the street, was very drunk and angry, and behaved as described”.

John Garside, prosecuting, said “there was a large crowd cheering and joining in” as Hodgson pushed the bin at officers. She was later arrested at her home address.

The defendant, who has a “long-running alcohol problem,” was remanded in custody to be sentenced on September 2.

District Judge Zoe Passfield told her:

“This was large-scale mob violence which resulted in fear to the public and damage to local businesses.

“There is absolutely no justification for it. You chose to involve yourself in it.”

Manchester Evening News

Man admits taking vapes from shop in Sunderland that was damaged during disorder

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August 5, 2024
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A man has admitted taking vapes from a shop in Sunderland that was damaged during the disorder, but denied being part of the protests.

Brian Gilby, 27, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder when he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary. The court heard he was seen on footage going into a damaged shop and taking boxes of vapes.

Heather Bolton, defending, said Gilby denied being part of the protests or of any violent disorder, but was out “socialising with friends” in the city centre when he saw a shop “that had already been damaged” and went inside.

Gilby was remanded in custody and will make his first appearance at a crown court on September 2.

Manchester Evening News

Drummond ‘punches officer in the face’

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August 5, 2024
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Drummond, who is represented by Jack Sweeney, is brought into the dock wearing a grey jumper and sporting short greying hair.

One of his supporters is in tears in the public gallery. He speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before pleading guilty to both charges.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk says: “PC Ball had been deployed to Southport after the attacks on Hart Street. At about 6pm he was deployed in uniform to the mosque on St Luke’s Road. He sighted a group of around 300 marching towards the mosque. The crowd were shouting this is our f***ing country and scumbag b******s. Numbers grew rapidly and officers had to withdraw. The crowd were shouting England till I die and let’s get them.”

Mr Sanderson-Kirk says of the officer: “He had to draw his baton and was shouting get back. The crowd were shouting who the f*** is Allah.”

Drummond was then said to have shouted “s*** houses” before punching the officer in the face.

Another PC then “affected a baton strike” on the defendant, who went on to throw bricks and “breaking down a garden wall”.

PC Ball was left with injuries including cuts and bruises to his arms. Footage taken from a helicopter at the scene is played to the court.

Mr Sweeney says it is not accepted that Drummond is shown throwing bricks on the clip. There is no application for bail.

Judge Boswell sends the case to the crown court to be sentenced on August 29 and says: “This court’s sentencing powers are insufficient. You will be remanded into custody.

“If there is to be a basis of plea, that should be provided by August 15.”

A pre-sentence report is also ordered.

Drummond turns to his supporters in the public gallery and says “love you” as he is led down to the cells.

Liverpool Echo

Burglar who targeted Spellow Library during riots says ‘nice one lad’ as he’s led to cells

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August 5, 2024
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Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard convicted burglar Adam Wharton was “attacked in the cells” before his case was called on

A man who burgled Spellow Library wearing a balaclava during the weekend’s riots said “nice one lad” as he was led to the cells. Adam Wharton, 28 and of Selwyn Street in Walton, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning, Monday, August 5 after he was charged with burglary in relation to serious disorder on Saturday night.

Wharton, who was brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, pleaded guilty to the charge put before him. His case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on August 29.

Before the proceedings started, the court heard from Wharton’s solicitor Isaac Mirza who said the defendant had been “attacked in the cells” prior to appearing. Mr Mirza said the defendant had “a bloodied nose and an injury to his eye”.

Wharton’s charge comes in relation to the violent disorder in Liverpool and around the country over the weekend. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after people were seen throwing bricks and debris at officers.

Scenes later spilled onto County Road in Walton, with rioters causing major damage in what police described as “serious violent disorder”. Chaos, violence and destruction followed as looters targeted businesses, bins were used to start fires and the Spellow Library & Community Hub was set alight.

Prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court: “Officers were dealing with large scale violent disorder. Officers dealt with arson, throwing bricks and glass. A police helicopter observed a male entering Spellow Hub Library, which had previously been burnt out and looted.”

The prosecutor said one man was found inside the library carrying a computer monitor. He added: “Outside, the police found this defendant. He was wearing a balaclava and appeared to be profusely sweating. The crown says this defendant was acting as a lookout.”

Mr Sanderson-Kirk told the court the offence carries a starting point of one year with a range of a community order to two years in prison. The court hears that Wharton has 16 previous convictions for 26 offences, including robbery and burglary.

His solicitor Mr Mirza said there would be no application for bail. The defendant put his hands up and said: “Am I allowed to speak?” District Judge Timothy Boswell told Mr Mirza to speak to his client, before addressing the defendant.

He said: “Mr Wharton, I am committing your case for sentence to the crown court. It will be up to the crown court to decide what the right sentence is.” Following a query regarding the preparation of a pre-sentence report, the defendant said “nice one lad” as he was led to the cells.
Liverpool Echo

Gareth Rigby fined after becoming ‘aggressive’ to police in ‘shameful mass disorder’ in Bolton

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August 5, 2024
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Gareth Rigby, 43, of Masefield Drive in Bolton, was fined after he admitted a single charge of using threatening words or behaviour during yesterday’s protests in Bolton.

Prosecutor Mr Cooper told Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning that the defendant was stopped by the police at around 2.30pm because they suspected he had ‘substances’ on him.

No substances were found but the defendant became ‘aggressive’ towards the officers, the court was told.

Rigby threatened the officers and told them to ‘f*** themselves’, according to the prosecutor.

When the defendant was cautioned by the officers, he was said to have told them ‘you get f***ed’.

In a statement read out in court, the arresting police officer said:

“I’m sick and tired of people who think it’s part of my job to put up with this kind of behaviour.”

He said the defendant, who is on benefits, never offered an apology.

The court heard Rigby has 15 previous convictions for 23 offences including being drunk and disorderly last year.

David Philpott, defending, told the court his client had spent one night in police custody and that it was not an offence which could attract a prison sentence.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told the defendant:

“You involved yourself in the shameful mass disorder in Bolton yesterday.”

The defendant had shown ‘significant disrespect to the police who were trying to keep members of the public safe’, said the judge.

However, the judge acknowledged it was a ‘non-imprisonable offence’ before fining the defendant £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £48 victim surcharge.

Manchester Evening News

First suspect appears in Manchester court

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August 5, 2024
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Daniel Robinson, 37, of Lesley Street in Bolton, admitted one count of possession of an offensive weapon, a hammer, when he appeared before a judge.

The court heard Robinson had not gone into Bolton town centre for the purpose of attending the protests on Sunday but that police found him in possession of a claw hammer outside the Army Careers’ Office.

Prosecutor Mr Cooper said CCTV captured the defendant with the hammer at 5.35pm in Bolton town centre on Sunday.

The defendant appeared to have a claw hammer and when officers attended they found him with the weapon, the court was told.

The court heard the defendant had 11 previous convictions covering 13 offences although the last one was 12 years ago.

He wasn’t directly involved in the protest, the court was told.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told the court she believed her powers ‘are insufficient given the mass violence experienced during the protest in Bolton’ on Sunday.

She adjourned the case until September 2 when Robinson will be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court.

David Philpott, defending, said his client, a pipe fitter, was in his car with two of his children when items were thrown at the car and ‘words were exchanged’ with a group of others.

Robinson made a ‘very very foolish decision’ to pursue them with the hammer, the court heard.

Mr Philpott said:

“He very much regrets his actions.”

The defendant, a father-of-three aged 18 months, six years and 17 years, was granted bail on condition he does not enter Bolton town centre.

Manchester Evening News

Far-right extremist who hosted terror websites viewed by Buffalo gunman jailed

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August 2, 2024
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Colin McNeil, from Leeds, was given an extended sentence over the two websites that spread far-right propaganda.

A far-right extremist who hosted terror websites viewed by Buffalo gunman Payton Gendron has been jailed for seven years.

Colin McNeil, from Leeds, was given an extended sentence over the two websites that spread far-right propaganda, glorified Hitler and encouraged terrorism.

The 46-year-old was told he will spend seven years in custody and four years on extended licence after pleading guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to four offences of disseminating a terrorist publication.

He will also be subject to a terrorist notification order for 30 years.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the websites hosted by McNeil honoured men who committed racist mass killings, including Brenton Tarrant, who murdered 51 people in and around two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.

He did not create the material but provided a platform for it to reach its audience, which included people who were inclined towards terrorism, police said.

Among the users of the website was Gendron, 18, who went on to murder 10 people in a mass shooting at a grocery shop in Buffalo in the US in 2022.

The CPS said evidence was able to show his engagement with the websites through likes and comments on racist material hosted on them.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said the website was “deliberately, and very publicly, unmoderated”, with McNeil admitting in a police interview that he knew the site had been “swamped” by material supporting extreme right-wing ideologies.

McNeil benefited financially from the websites, receiving donations from users, and also used the sites to express his own racist views.

One of the sites, which operated like a typical social media platform, had 5,716 members, with 255,960 photos and 6,499 videos uploaded.

The other site, set up for videos, hosted 12,345 members and contained 79,284 videos.

This site also had an option to upgrade to a “pro” member for 50 US dollars (£39), which would allow the user to post ad-free videos, sell videos, and to livestream.

Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Colin McNeil allowed his websites to operate as propaganda platforms for far-right terrorist material.

“He profited from the sites in the form of donations from users, and it is clear that others were inspired by the hateful and racist material they were able to access online – including those from overseas.

“McNeil’s actions were quite deliberate; he knew full well that there was a risk that terrorism would be encouraged and yet he permitted access to such material anyway.”

McNeil was arrested in March 2022 following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

London Evening Standard