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Magistrates’ praise for brave Darwen special constable

By
March 26, 2014
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed

MAGISTRATES praised a female special constable who stood up to a drunken gang in a Darwen park.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Special Constable Nicola Veitch was attacked by one of the mob who ripped off her epaulettes and tie and smashed her torch as drunken teenagers and 53-year-old Anthony Vickers egged him on.

Vickers and other members of the gang ran off into Sunnyhurst Wood but he returned and was identified by SPC Veitch and arrested by her after a struggle. Vickers was jailed and the magistrates singled out SPC Veitch for special praise.

“We want to express our admiration for the way Special Constable Veitch conducted herself in difficult circumstances. She was facing a drunken group that were egging on this offender and we would like to recommend this information be placed on her record,” they said.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the special was on foot patrol in Sunnyhurst Wood when she and another female officer were confronted by a large group of noisy youths who were drinking. Vickers was among the group of mainly teenagers and he was clearly drunk. He began calling the officers offensive names.

Vickers ran off but returned and SPC Veitch went to arrest him again.

Vickers kicked PC Roger Morris three times. Jonathan Taylor, defending, said: “He apologises and knows he should have shown far more respect.”

Vickers, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, was jailed for eight weeks for the assault on SPC Veitch and four weeks for the assault on PC Morris.

Lancashire Telegraph

From 16th October 2008.

SDL marcher kicked pregnant girlfriend in stomach

By
March 19, 2014
assault

A man kicked his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach during a brutal attack after he returned home from a far-right Scottish Defence League march.

James Mullen rounded on a Polish neighbour who tried to stop the assault and told him: “F*** off back to your own country” before threatening to stab him.

Mullen squeezed Christine McLeod’s throat with his bare hands during the attack and at one stage she curled up trying to protect her stomach as he repeatedly kicked her.

When police arrived Mullen, who was 19 at the time, told them: “I went too far, I only wanted to propose to her.”

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Mullen also injured a 10-year-old girl during his violent outburst and lashed out at officers and said to one that he would “stab him”.

After Mullen, now 20, of Holyrood Court, admitted a string of offences his counsel, Gareth Jones, asked for his bail to be continued ahead of sentencing.

But Lord Bannatyne remanded him in custody. The judge said: “Having regard to the charges it is inappropriate bail is continued.”

Unemployed Mullen pled guilty to assaulting Ms McLeod, 30, to the danger of her life on July 6 last year at a flat and stairwell in Kirk Street in Leith.

During the attack he forced the pregnant woman to the ground and straddled her and compressed her throat. He struck her head off walls and on the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked her.

He also admitted assaulting the girl by repeatedly slamming a door on her arm and assaulting Slawomir Slawinski by threatening him with violence, saying he would stab him.

Mullen also admitted acting in a racially aggravated way and resisting police.

Advocate depute Richard Goddard said Mullen had moved into the flat at Kirk Street the day before the attack, having been in a relationship with Ms McLeod, who was six weeks pregnant with his child, for several months.

The prosecutor said: “On the morning of Saturday July 6 2013 the accused left the flat to attend a Scottish Defence League march in Aberdeen. During the day he appears to have consumed a large amount of alcohol.”

Mullen later told police he had been drinking Buckfast wine, beer and vodka all day since leaving for Aberdeen and fell asleep on the bus journey back and this had put him in a bad mood.

When he returned home Ms McLeod noted he appeared to be very drunk. They had been due to go to a party but she told him he was not to attend.

Mr Goddard said: “On being told this the accused became annoyed and began shouting aggressively at Ms McLeod suggesting that she was embarrassed by him.”

She went to a bedroom to collect keys, but he followed her and grabbed her by the throat and forced her to the floor and began squeezing her throat as she struggled to free herself.

“The victim reports the grasp felt like a lot of pressure and she began to struggle to breathe,” said Mr Goddard. She heard Mullen shout: “You are not going anywhere.”

Mullen suddenly released his grip and said he needed to get an ambulance. The victim managed to get up and went to the front door but he started shouting and screaming at her again.

The girl had heard cries for help and was starting to go into the flat, but Mullen slammed the door against her arm until she withdrew it.

Mullen began punching Ms McLeod and pushed her against a wall in the hallway. She fell to the floor and he began to kick her on the head and side.

Mr Goddard said: “The victim thinks this went on for a number of minutes as she curled up to try to protect, in particular, her stomach. She could heard children outside the flat screaming.”

The woman managed to get out into the close, but Mullen continued the assault punching her on the head and kicking her in the stomach. The victim managed to get out of the flats after Mr Slawinski’s intervention.

Neighbours called the police and when officers arrived Mullen said: “You’re looking for me. I went too far, I only wanted to propose to her.”

The advocate depute said: “Despite his initial calm appearance the accused then became aggressive towards the officers and began to lash out by attempting to kick them, butt them with his head and punch them.”

During an interview Mullen told police that he believed the relationship was on good terms and that the couple did not really argue, but when they did sometimes “a switch just turns” and he became really angry. He acknowledged Ms McLeod was pregnant with his child.

He said before police turned up he returned to the flat and saw blood over the walls and said to himself: “What have I done?”

The first offender claimed that he never intentionally hurt anyone and stated he felt like “a dick”.

Lord Bannatye deferred sentence on Mullen for the preparation of a background report.

The Scotsman

Football hooligan barred from matches for five years

By
March 2, 2014
assault, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Suspended sentence

FOOTBALL hooligan Jeff Marsh has been banned from football grounds for five years after admitting affray.

The 44-year-old Cardiff City supporter was found in possession of a knuckleduster when he was arrested for affray outside the Ninian Park pub in Canton, Cardiff, last June.

The self-proclaimed hooligan, who has written two books about his exploits with the city’s infamous Soul Crew and is one of the organisers of the Welsh Defence League, was fighting with Celtic fans after the inaugural match between the teams at Cardiff’s new stadium.

Marsh, from Barry, admitted affray and possession of an offensive weapon at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court in January and was sentenced yesterday.

He was given a four-month suspended jail term, 150 hours’ community service and ordered to pay £600 costs.

He was given a full five-year football banning order that will prevent him attending any football matches for five years.

Detective Constable Simon Chivers, of the Football Intelligence Unit, who arrested Marsh last summer, said: “Jeff Marsh is a convicted football hooligan.

“Behaviour such as he exhibited on the night will not be tolerated by Cardiff City or the police and anyone indulging in that sort of behaviour will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law, prosecuted and banned.”

It is Marsh’s first football banning order as his previous convictions for football violence came before the 1990 Football Disorder Act which introduced the banning orders.

In 1989 he was convicted of grievous bodily harm for stabbing two Manchester United supporters in Cardiff and was jailed for two years. In 1986 he was also convicted of a football-related assault in Halifax.

Marsh is an organiser of the English and Welsh Defence Leagues which describe themselves as “a ready-made army” against Muslim fundamentalists.

There have been riots and arrests in English cities, including Birmingham and Luton, which have led to scores of arrests after the group has clashed with anti-fascist campaigners. There have also been marches in Wrexham and Swansea.

The groups have been described as “divisive” and “hate-based” by Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood.

Wales Online

From 2010

Thug glassed a man at his Newcastle home – because he asked him to put his dog on a lead.

By
February 15, 2014
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed
Matthew Walley

Matthew Walley

DRUNKEN Matthew Walley smashed a man over the head with a bottle – after he was asked to put his dog on a lead.

The 22-year-old was told by Mark Dias to put his dog on a leash as he was concerned it may harm his partner’s cat.

But Walley who had drunk 20 cans of lager, became aggressive.

Mr Dias told him he did not want any trouble but the defendant raised his hand and smashed a bottle or glass on his head causing a 2cm cut

Now Walley has been jailed for two years and three months after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Walley had spent May 25 drinking and at 11pm Mr Dias noticed the defendant’s dog was in his partner’s garden in Silverdale Road, Newcastle.

Prosecutor Joanne Wallbanks said: “Mr Dias asked the defendant if he would put the dog on its lead as he was concerned his partner’s cat would be harmed.

“The defendant was acting as if he had been drinking, and was irrational and aggressive.

“The defendant said, ‘Come on lad’. He was twice the size as Mr Dias who said he did not want any trouble.

“The defendant raised his hand and slammed a bottle or glass on Mr Dias’s head causing a 1cm-2cm laceration, which was glued.”

Police arrived and Walley said: “If you touch me I will set my dog on you.”

The court heard Walley, of Kimberley Road, Newcastle, has previous convictions for threatening behaviour, robbery, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said Walley had a history of mental illness but his family have seen a dramatic change in him as a result of the medication he has been prescribed.

Mr Muldoon said: “He is adamant that his future is positive. He now realises the triggers behind his offending, both the use of alcohol, binge drinking, and the regular use of cannabis. He appreciates cannabis exacerbates whatever issues are going on in his mind.”

Judge Paul Glenn said a sentence of immediate custody was inevitable and jailed Walley for 27 months.

He said: “Mr Dias was simply trying to get his partner’s cat in the house. He was concerned about the cat’s safety and asked you to put your dog on a lead.

“You became aggressive and confrontational.

“He was scared and he told you he did not want any trouble. You smashed a glass or bottle against his head and the glass shattered.

“Fortunately the injuries were not as serious as they could have been but they required hospital treatment.”

Judge Glenn said the offence was aggravated because Walley used a weapon, he has relevant previous convictions, he was on bail for another matter and was drunk.

He added: “As matters stand you represent a high risk of re-offending and of causing serious harm to other people.”

Stoke Sentinel

Matt Walley facebook

Matt Walley facebook

Neo-Nazi thug jailed for 10-year campaign of violence towards women but victims hit out after being locked out of courtroom

By
February 1, 2014
assault, Jailed, scottish defence league

SIOBHAN Melrose and Leigh Cameron blast four-and-a-half-year sentence for James Boyd and reveal they didn’t even get the satisfaction of seeing him being sent down because the court was packed with racist’s family.

BNP member James Boyd poses with a samurai sword

BNP member James Boyd poses with a samurai sword

A NEO-NAZI race hate thug was jailed yesterday for a horrific 10-year campaign of violence against women.

But two of James Boyd’s five victims were left furious after being locked out of court as he was being sentenced.

They were forced to stand outside because all the seats were taken by Boyd’s family.

The women also slammed the brute’s four-and-a-half year jail sentence, insisting it should have been much more.

Love rat Boyd, 28 – who has a string of convictions for racist attacks and has been described by police as “a predatory, callous and unremorseful individual” – battered two of his victims when they were heavily pregnant.

He told one she didn’t deserve a child as he booted her in the stomach. Another victim, aged 14, was left with terrible injuries when Boyd, from Whitburn, West Lothian, stamped on her private parts in a bid to make her unable to have kids.

His most recent ex-partner Siobhan Melrose, 26, and Leigh Cameron, 24 – who was pregnant with his child when he tried to strangle her and throw her down the stairs – were unable to sit in the public benches at the High Court in Glasgow because there wasn’t enough room.

Both women, also from Whitburn, described Boyd’s sentence as “disgusting” and insisted he should have got at least eight years for putting them through years of hell.

Leigh said: “I hope he rots in hell for what he did to us. He will always be a danger to women but to think he’ll be out in three years makes me sick.

“We hoped watching him being sentenced would give us closure but we were robbed of that because his family were allowed to take up the entire court.

“It’s outrageous. We have made an official complaint.”

Siobhan endured three years of hell before she fled his clutches last year. She added: “We were hoping for at least double that sentence. It’s not even nearly enough for what he did to us.”

But the victim who was in her teens when she was viciously attacked by Boyd said: “This is a great result for us. Months ago he was walking about the streets telling everyone he was innocent and we had all made it up.”

The girl – who was battered, kicked and spat on by BNP and National Front activist Boyd in a series of attacks between 2004 and 2006 – added: “He has been exposed for what he is – an evil predator who beats up wee girls and I’m happy with that.”

Racist thug James Boyd poses with a Nazi flag

Racist thug James Boyd poses with a Nazi flag

Sentencing him, Judge Lord Turnbull said: “You have pleaded guilty to a catalogue of violence against women.

Over a 10-year period, you displayed bullying and domineering behaviour. You have deep-rooted problems in your attitude to women.

“I’m satisfied that in the past you posed a danger to women and unless you change your attitude, you will continue to be a danger to women in the future.”

Boyd was also ordered to be monitored in the community for two years after his release.

Earlier this month, the Record exposed cowardly Boyd’s obsession with Adolf Hitler and showed him pictured brandishing a swastika flag.

In another snap, he posed with a samurai sword with Combat 18 – the neo-Nazi organisation – tattooed on his arm. He also has a skull and crossbones tattooed on the back of his shaven head.

Daily Record

Far-right activist admits assault and firing air rifle in New Addington

By
January 21, 2014
assault, community order, EDL, English Defence League
Frank Day

Frank Day

A FAR-RIGHT activist has been handed a community order for assault and firing an air rifle out of his New Addington home.

Frank Day, 65, attacked Samuel Bartlett and later fired a Titan air rifle from his house in Arnhem Drive, New Addington, on September 3.

He pleaded guilty to assault by beating and firing the weapon at Croydon Magistrates’ Court today (Friday).

Day, a member of the English Defence League (EDL), was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 40 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay Mr Bartlett £60, and pay £85 costs.

The air rifle will be forfeited and destroyed.

Mr Day’s legal representative said his client accepted that firing the gun had been a “foolish act”.

In February 2012, Mr Day publicly campaigned against plans to build a mosque in Purley.

Man jailed after bottle attack on rival which almost sliced his nose off

By
January 14, 2014
assault, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed

A MAN who almost had his nose sliced off when he was attacked with a broken bottle has told how it has devastated his life.

William Burnside was yesterday jailed for six years for the vicious assault outside Yates’s Wine Lodge in Darlington last summer.

The 24-year-old was told by a judge at Teesside Crown Court: “A broken bottle can cause disfigurement – it can cause death.”

Victim Christopher Turner suffered three wounds down to the muscle in his arm as he tried to block further blows towards his face.

Police said afterwards that had any of the thrusts made their way past his defences, Mr Turner could have been caught in the neck.

Detective Constable Mick Trodden said: “They have both been lucky in a way. It could have been a murder case we were dealing with.”

The court heard how bad feeling between the two men had “simmered” for years before they clashed at the town centre pub.

The pair argued before Burnside was asked to leave, but he returned with a bottle of brown ale which he smashed and used as a weapon.

In an impact statement, 26-year-old Mr Turner – who is scarred for life – said he still suffers from numbness in his face and left arm.

He said he had to turn down a labouring job because he cannot lift heavy objects, and told how he is also unable to go to the gym.

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield said Mr Turner underwent a four-hour operation and plastic surgery, and has had four further hospital visits.

Vic Laffey, mitigating, said: “The incident occurred after a build-up of bad feeling which had simmered for a number of years.

“Mr Burnside deeply regrets what happened on this evening, and he deeply regrets the injuries he has caused this young man.

“He is clearly remorseful and up until this point in time, he had led a relatively blame-free life. He will take his punishment.”

Burnside, of Elton Parade, Darlington, admitted wounding with intent on August 22 last year at an earlier court hearing.

He told police after handing himself in that he had downed at least seven bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale and a pint that day.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton said: “Goodness knows what went through your mind on this occasion when you carried out this very serious attack.

“When he came out, you broke that bottle and you had a very fearsome and dangerous weapon at your disposal.

“You broke it for the one and only reason to attack him and cause him more serious injury.

“He effects of the alcohol you had wore off. The effects of what you did to him will never wear off.

“He was left with scars and will remain with scars to his face and arm. His life has changed as a result of what you did.”

Northern Echo

Burnside, 2nd from the left

Burnside, 2nd from the left

Man, 43, punched victim in face after row over state of dog.

By
January 5, 2014
assault, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Uncategorized

A 43-YEAR-OLD assaulted a man in his own home following a row over a dog, a court heard.

Anthony Forrester, aged 43, of St Luke’s Court, Hanley, was handed a 10-month sentence for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Yesterday Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was told Forrester, who has 28 previous convictions, hit Roger Rixon on May 12 leaving the victim needing hospital treatment.

After initially pleading not guilty to the charge, Forrester reversed his plea ahead of a court trial.

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said: “At about 7.30pm Mr Rixon had drank three litres of cider and the defendant was in the living room.

“During the argument the defendant punched him and then left the house.

“He was arrested on May 14 and said Mr Rixon was shouting at him. He said he had drank two cans of cider and regretted his actions and denied stepping on him.”

Although Mr Rixon claimed he had suffered a broken nose during the assault there was no medical evidence to back up his claim.

A statement by Forrester read out in court stated: “Mr Rixon and I argued and I punched him in the face and he grabbed my leg, so I kicked out.

“I don’t accept that I stamped on him and I deny I broke his nose.”

Hamish Noble, defending, said: “It was an argument over a dog and the condition the dog was in.

“He knows what he did was wrong and that he shouldn’t have done it.

“The defendant left a special school with no qualifications and moved on to drink and drugs.

“He now has settled accommodation in Hanley and lives there with his son.”

Judge Granville Styler said: “This was an unpleasant attack.

“If you continue with gratuitous violence you’ll get longer and longer prison sentences.”

Stoke Sentinel

Man’s nose broken in doorstep attack

By
January 5, 2014
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Uncategorized

DRUNKEN Anthony Forrester broke a deaf man’s nose in an unprovoked attack outside his home.

Philip Cotterill, who is profoundly deaf, was at home with him mum in Lower Bethesda Street, Hanley, at 9.30pm on November 8 last year when he felt a slight vibration.

He went to investigate and noticed eggs had been thrown at his window. He went outside, but could not see anyone.

He asked a neighbour to call the police and as he returned to his house he saw the defendant approach from an alleyway at the side of his house.

Prosecutor Philip Beardwell told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday that Mr Cotterill saw Forrester urinate outside the fire station before he walked towards him.

“Mr Cotterill closed his gate. The defendant’s body language was aggressive. Mr Cotterill asked him to go away repeatedly.

“The defendant ignored the request and then hit him directly to his nose with a clenched fist.

“The defendant then grabbed a brick pillar causing it to fall down. He picked up a brick. Mr Cotterill turned to go in his house when he felt a hard blow to the back of his head.

“He ran inside and closed the door behind him.”

The court heard police officers saw the tail end of the incident and witnessed Forrester throwing bricks.

Mr Cotterill was left with a broken nose and a small cut to the back of his head, which needed one stitch.

In his victim statement he said the attack had left him more vulnerable, nervous and depressed.

His sleep pattern had been affected, as had his daily life. He added that he had to have his nose corrected.

Forrester, aged 41, of Furnival Street, Cobridge, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Nicola Bell, defending, conceded it was a “dreadful” offence and a custodial sentence was inevitable.

She said Forrester, who has battled a heroin problem for most of his adult life, had no previous convictions for violence.

She said he was remorseful and apologised to Mr Cotterill and his mother.

“He was heavily in drink and had also taken diazepam. He has very little recollection of what occurred.

“He is not a violent man.”

Jailing Forrester for 20 months, Judge Paul Glenn said: “This was an unpleasant and totally unprovoked assault on an innocent man. He was deaf. There is no evidence you knew that, nor that you were responsible for the damage caused to his house which brought him out in the first place.

“While he was looking at the damage on the windows you came across the road. You punched him and hit him so hard you broke his nose.

“Not content with that, you pulled away part of a brick pillar. As he tried to flee you threw a brick at him.

“This has had a significant effect on Mr Cotterill.

“The offence is so serious only custody is appropriate.”

Stoke Sentinel

Thief Anthony Forrester stole chocolate bar from Hanley Marks and Spencers – before attacking security guards who demanded payment.

By
January 5, 2014
Uncategorized

ALCOHOLIC Anthony Forrester attacked two supermarket security guards – after they asked him to pay for a bar of chocolate he had stolen and eaten.

The 44-year-old was in the Marks and Spencer store, in Hanley, on October 17 when he picked up a 69p bar of chocolate and ate it without paying.

North Staffordshire Magistrates Court heard yesterday how store security guards Ian Creed and Bekezela Ndlovu followed Forrester to Iceland, in Charles Street, to ask him to pay for the food.

Prosecuting, Giles Rowden said: “Mr Forrester picked up a bar of chocolate and ate it and threw the wrapper away.

“He was approached by the security guards and told them he would pay for it, but he then left the store.

“The security guards saw the defendant in the Iceland store where he became abusive.” The court heard that he racially abused and swore at Mr Ndlovu claimed he was a member of the English Defence League.

Mr Rowden added: “He was using abusive language towards Mr Ndlovu, who was just trying to do his job.

“The other security guard was then punched in the head and bit on the hand. Forrester was then arrested, but on the way to custody he damaged a Perspex cage belonging to Staffordshire Police.”

Forrester, of St Luke’s Court, in Hanley, pleaded guilty to five charges which included theft, assault by beating, criminal damage and using racially abusive and offensive language.

Defending, Nicola Bell, said: “Mr Forrester has not appeared before the court in a long time. He has tried to tackle what is a very real alcohol problem which he has not been very successful at addressing.

“These are serious offences and they are in the context of the record of a man who is now 44 years of age.”

Miss Bell added: “There are two sides to Anthony Forrester. He can be extremely vile and unacceptable, but then there is the Anthony Forrester who wants to change and wants to address issues from the past.

“There are deep-rooted problems here, but the daily issue is the alcohol.”

Magistrates told Forrester: “This was a nasty, alcohol-fuelled incident.”

He was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months with 12 months supervision and an alcohol treatment requirement for using racially abusive language and the same punishment for the assault on Ian Creed, to run concurrently.

He was given no further penalty for the theft and criminal damage charges.

However, he was told to pay £165 costs and £100 compensation to the victims as well as £20 for damage to Mr Creed’s watch and 69p to Marks and Spencer for the chocolate.


Stoke Sentinal

Anthony_Forrester