Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to rioting, police have said, after disorder over the summer saw a hotel used by asylum seekers targeted by violent groups.
The Holiday Inn in Tamworth was attacked on 4 August as a wave of disorder swept the country.
Aged 14 and 17, the youths cannot be named for legal reasons, but Staffordshire Police said they were only the third and fourth people in the county to face the more serious charge of rioting.
They are due to be sentenced at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 4 April.
The force said the17-year-old also admitted assaulting an emergency worker.
Officers said they had arrested 200 suspects last year in connection with violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth, and a total of 82 people had so far been charged.
They said they expected more charges to follow, and that they had been trawling through footage from August to gather the evidence needed to bring cases to court.
Trouble broke out in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on 3 August, during which police came under fire from missiles, including metal poles and bricks.
Rioters also targeted the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth a day later, starting a fire.
The disorder was part of a wave of protests and riots that swept the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbings, driven in part by false claims the culprit was an asylum seeker.
A man has been sentenced today, Friday 31 January, for his role in violent disorder in Southport last summer.
John Rasburn, of Gibson Street, Wigan, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty at a previous hearing for violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July.
Rasburn was captured on CCTV at the forefront of the disorder on St Luke’s Road. He was seen throwing a traffic cone at officers who were trying to protect the community. He then went onto confront officers before spitting at them.
The 47-year-old man was seen throwing an item at officers before then running up to an officer and kicking them.
The court heard that on 11 August, Merseyside Police circulated Rasburn as wanted for his role in the disorder. However, on 16 January he handed himself in to a police station in Greater Manchester.
The next day, Merseyside Police detectives arrested and charged Rasburn with Violent Disorder and two counts of assault emergency worker.
Today, Rasburn was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
Detective Sergeant Duncan Sloan said: “Rasburn went on to the run but ultimately knew he couldn’t hide forever and would need to answer for his actions and the role he played that day to a community that was in mourning.
“He eventually handed himself in, albeit five months later. I hope Rasburn takes the time while in prison to reflect on his shocking actions that day.”
Detective Sergeant Sloan added: “We are relentless in bringing those who helped cause such violence and disruption to our communities to justice and continue to be committed to ensure those responsible are held to account.
“We are identifying more people who displayed such abhorrent behaviour which damaged our communities, and would encourage anyone with information to contact us.”
The total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 171, with 129 charged and 106 sentenced to a combined 208 years in prison.
We would encourage anyone with information to contact us by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Current galleries of people we would like to speak to can be found on our X and Facebook pages, and on our force website: Latest CCTV appeal in relation to summer disorder in Merseyside | Merseyside Police.
A builder, market worker and war veterans were among those who were jailed this year for their roles in the Hanley riots. Trouble erupted on Saturday, August 3 as the city centre was swamped with protesters marching down the streets.
Around 100 police with riot shields and dog units responded to the chaos. Planned protests kicked off at around 11.30am.
Large groups of men were seen turning out around the mosques in opposition to the demonstrators. From around 1.30pm, the groups began to clash, primarily at first around the Darul Falah mosque in Town Road.
Among both the protestors and those who had turned out at the mosques to oppose them, individuals were witnessed to be carrying weapons. Scores of people have been arrested in connection with the riots and the police investigation continues.
Any witnesses to the Hanley riots can call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Here’s a round-up of some of those who have been jailed:
Ciaran Lockett and Deana Evans
Ciaran Lockett and Deana Evans
‘Chanting’ couple Ciaran Lockett and Deana Evans became the first to be jailed for their parts in the Hanley riots. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Lockett chanted songs, took part in a sit-down protest, stopped a police van driving through the city centre, and threw a bottle at police.
The 34-year-old scaffolder, of Fletcher Bank, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was jailed for 32 months. Partner Evans filmed the incident, shouted and chanted. The 32-year-old warehouse worker, of Poplar Court, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker and was jailed for 20 months.
Ashley Morris
Ashley Morris
A dad-of-three left needing six stitches after being bashed over the head in a Hanley riots hammer attack was jailed. Ashley Morris also suffered a broken nose as violence erupted on the streets of Hanley.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 31-year-old was bare-chested because he had taken his shirt off to use it as a bandage for an injured woman. But Morris – who has lost his job as a groundworker following the troubles – pleaded guilty to violent disorder after throwing a brick towards St John’s Church which Islamic leaders want to convert into a Mosque. He was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Andrew Townley
Andrew Townley, aged 45, of Hanley
Bungling builder Andrew Townley was easily identified at the Hanley riots – with his work’s phone number on the back of his hi-vis jacket. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 45-year-old had no intention of going to the riots – and was instead trying to get to his mum’s home on the opposite side of the police cordon.
But he was arrested at work more than a month later after trying to break through the police line. He had told police ‘you have got no chance against me, no chance, any of you’ before disappearing back into the crowd.
Townley, of Penarth Grove, Hanley, was jailed for 34 months after admitting violent disorder following the August 3 trouble. He was also handed an eight-month prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker which will run concurrently.
Lee Whitby
Lee Whitby, who once served the UK in the armed forces, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for violent disorder after participating in the Hanley riot on August 3 2024.
Iraq veteran Lee Whitby was at the ‘forefront’ of the Hanley riots. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 41-year-old was caught on camera near Salahuddin Mosque, on Town Road, as well as at the front of police lines outside Hanley Library and in Shelton during the August 3 troubles.
Whitby – who had 42 previous offences on his record – was jailed for 26 months after admitting violent disorder. Tours of Kosovo and Iraq have left him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the court was told.
Marcus Ramsden
Marcus Ramsden
A dad who took part in the Hanley riots will miss his son’s first birthday after being locked up for two years for spitting at police. Marcus Ramsden was invited to the Hanley riots by friends and family.
CCTV footage captured the 22-year-old – from Latebrook Close, in Goldenhill – shouting, swearing and spitting at police officers on Town Road. Ramsden pleaded guilty to violent disorder and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
Ryan Perry
Ryan Perry, 23, was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assaulting two police officers during the Hanley riots on Saturday August 3 this year. (Image: Staffordshire Police)
A 23-year-old man who has worked in Hanley Market for 12 years was locked up – after ‘stumbling across’ the city centre riots ‘by chance’. Ryan Perry was on a Saturday off when he dropped his girlfriend off in Hanley and went to the shops and a pub.
But he later joined the Hanley riots, struck police officers’ shields, and made an obscene gesture to a group outside Salahuddin Mosque, on Town Road. Perry, of Mount Street, Hanley, was jailed for 22 months for violent disorder and assaulting two police officers.
Dominic Cartwright
Dominic Cartwright, 34, was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment for violent disorder during the Hanley riots which took place on Saturday August 3 2024. (Image: Staffordshire Police)
Dad Dominic Cartwright hurled missiles towards a mosque and was up for a fight at the ‘forefront’ of the Hanley riots. The 34-year-old says he had only gone to Hanley after finishing his night shift to have a drink in Wetherspoons and watch Stoke City.
But he instead endured the ‘worst day of his life’ after becoming caught up in the August 3 riots. Cartwright, of Shawport Avenue, Bradwell, was jailed for 28 months after admitting violent disorder.
Joseph Pointon
Joseph Pointon
A first-time buyer who went to Hanley to arrange a mortgage for a house became involved in ugly scenes of violent disorder. Joseph Pointon, aged 23, allowed his curiosity to get the better of him when he saw a group being aggressive towards police in Hanley on Saturday, August 3.
He ripped off a plastic drainpipe and launched it at police. He dismantled parts of a roundabout at Town Road and threw a brick which connected with an officer’s riot shield.
Pointon was jailed for 28 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Prosecutor Dylan Wagg said Pointon was seen in Cannon Place with others being stopped by the police cordon.
Lee Grocott
Lee Grocott
A 48-year-old man attended the Hanley riots to ‘protest about illegal immigration’ – and ended up being jailed for 32 months. Lee Grocott, of no fixed address, launched missiles in Town Road, shouted anti-Islamic remarks, shouted ‘paedos’, and targeted peaceful protesters outside Hanley Town Hall.
The defendant was identified on CCTV, admitted violent disorder, and was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Jordan Jones
Jordan Jones has been jailed
A rioter who hurled a brick at police trying to quell trouble in Hanley was jailed for more than two years. Jordan Jones was caught on CCTV launching the missile and shouting abuse as mass disorder erupted in the city centre.
The 27-year-old, of Meir, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to two-years-and-two-months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis.
James Watkins
James Watkins
Dad-of-four James Watkins ‘lost everything again’ having fought back from losing his job in Covid, becoming addicted to monkey dust and ending up on the streets. The 35-year-old has been drug-free for more than a year.
But he is now behind bars after being a ‘continuous presence’ at the August 3 Hanley riots. He was verbally abusive, gesturing, and wielded a bottle after being struck by a police shield.
Watkins, of Sherwin Road, Stanfield, was jailed for three years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after admitting a charge of violent disorder.
Jarrod Hollinshead
Jarrod Hollinshead
Homeless Jarrod Hollinshead was jailed for his part in the Hanley riots – after joining what he thought was a ‘music parade with free beer’. The 26-year-old had gone to City Central Library, in Hanley, to email family just an hour after appearing at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
But the library was shut and he joined what he initially thought was a music parade with the offer of free beer. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Hollinshead later threw a brick and shouted ‘f**k all of you’ before being taken to the ground.
The brick had been hauled towards St John’s Church, on Town Road, which Islamic leaders want to turn into the Darul Falah Mosque.
A man has been given a suspended jail term for beating a police officer during violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent over the summer amid high-profile riots elsewhere in the UK.
Lee Bodman, 52, from the city’s Hanley area, was sentenced to eight months, suspended for 18 months, at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Tuesday.
Unrest across the UK spread after fatal stabbings in Southport and subsequent false online rumours about the suspect.
Bodman – who had been charged with assault of an emergency worker by beating -was ordered to take part in rehabilitation activity and was ordered to pay compensation of £100 to the police officer as well as £250 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Adam Harvey thanked the judge before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters
A man emptied the contents of a fire extinguisher over customers at Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee in Liverpool ONE. Adam Harvey was identified by police from the “distinctive” tattoos on his neck after embarking upon a rampage of violence across Liverpool city centre.
The thug also launched a can at an officer’s head and hurled a brick at a van before breaking into a phone shop. He now says he “got carried away” after widespread disturbances erupted following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar in Southport.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that Harvey was involved in the incident of “mass disorder” in central Liverpool on August 3 this year. The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was first seen on camera at around 3pm on the day in question, being identified in footage via the “distinctive tattoos on either side of his neck” by a PC with whom he had had previous dealings.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, described how he thereafter launched a can of beer after forming part of a crowd around 300 people near to the Liver Building, with this missile striking a police officer in the head. PC Rachel Judge, who was not wearing a protective helmet at this stage, was also hit by a second object thrown by a second person and rendered unconscious.
Harvey was later seen throwing another object as he crossed the Strand and chucking a brick at a police carrier van as an officer was driving the vehicle away. As he subsequently made his way through Liverpool ONE with a group of other men shortly, he was shown on CCTV letting off a fire extinguisher over customers who were sitting outside Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee on Paradise Street.
He was then part of a mob who looted iFix phone repair shop on Church Street, being shown in one clip reaching underneath shutters at the storefront and helping himself to a box before throwing the item back inside the premises after realising that it was empty. Harvey was subsequently arrested November 20 and made no comment to detectives when interviewed.
His criminal record shows a total of 34 convictions for 51 offences – including assaulting a police officer and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour in 2004, shoplifting in 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2013, criminal damage in 2012, a public order offence in 2018 and affray and theft in 2021.
John Weate, defending, told the court: “There are personal circumstances which do not in truth mitigate that which he did, but perhaps give some understanding of how he found himself in this position and got carried away with what was going on.
“Historically, he has had a problem with drink. During the course of the last two years, he has done a lot to try to alleviate that problem from his life with some relative success.
“He received bad family news in the spring regarding an illness that his father has, which is a serious illness. As a consequence of that, he fell back into his old ways and started drinking again.
“On the day in question, while not being involved in the planning of the disorder that took place in the city centre, he was in Liverpool with friends and he was participating in drink. When this disorder struck up, he got himself involved.”
Harvey admitted violent disorder, burglary and assaulting an emergency services worker. Appearing in the dock wearing a prison issue jumper, he was jailed for 34 months.
Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “This case stems from events in the summer following the killing of three children in Southport. There was, the following day, mob violence on a significant scale which itself spawned copycat mob violence in other locations across the country.
“This all had a far reaching impact on the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder – including causing damage and fear to communities, taking part in looting of shops and causing injury to police officers – will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”
Harvey replied “thank you judge” before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters. He then gave a thumbs up as he was led to the cells and added: “Love yas.”
A man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after a police officer’s nose was broken during violent disorder in Southport.
Sean Beech, 55, of Len Cox Walk, Manchester, was captured on CCTV during the disorder in Southport on 30 July.
Beech was seen to grab hold of the office’s baton, which hit the officer in the face, breaking his nose.
Beech then threw the baton towards a line of officers and pushed and attempted to trip over another police officer.
He was sentenced on Friday (22 November) to a total of 54 months in prison – 40 months for Violent Disorder, 14 months to run consecutively for s20 assault and 3 months to run concurrently for assaulting an emergency worker.
It is the longest prison sentence to date for anyone convicted of being involved in the violent disorder in Southport.
It brings the total number of arrests to 151 with 107 people charged and 82 sentenced to a total of 172 years and seven months.
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This was a shocking attack on a police officer which resulted in him suffering a broken nose.
“It is right that Beech should be brought to justice for his actions and receive a significant prison sentence.
“We will continue to put those responsible before the courts and would encourage anyone with information to keep coming forward.”
Ryan Perry was earning £1,800-a-month in Hanley Market
A 23-year-old man who has worked in Hanley Market for 12 years is now locked up – after ‘stumbling across’ the city centre riots ‘by chance’. Ryan Perry was on a Saturday off when he dropped his girlfriend off in Hanley and went to the shops and a pub.
But he later joined the Hanley riots, struck police officers’ shields, and made an obscene gesture to a group outside Salahuddin Mosque, on Town Road. Now Perry, of Mount Street, Hanley, has been jailed for 22 months for violent disorder and assaulting two police officers.
It comes as his mate – 22-year-old Marcus Ramsden, from Latebrook Close, in Goldenhill – has been jailed for two years for his role in the Hanley riots.
Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “The video footage shows Mr Perry push a police officer’s shield with some force before he turns and walks away and sticks his fingers up at the police constable who was recording. He then lashes out at a female officer and pushes her shield and then strikes another officer’s shield. The rest of the footage is much of the same, as comments are being shouted and Mr Perry makes a ‘w*****r’ gesture to the people at the mosque.
“Mr Perry says he had drunk a lot of alcohol the night before and woke up at 11am to go to the shop and stumbled across the riots by chance. He says he was with his mum when he was surrounded by men with knives, then he said he doesn’t remember it, and then he said something must have triggered him to react that way.”
Perry earns £1,800-a-month moving produce around Hanley Market.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said: “Mr Perry works at Hanley Market and has done for 12 years from before he left school. He bitterly regrets that he happened to be in the city centre on August 3.
“He is normally there for work but by coincidence he was given that Saturday off, he dropped his girlfriend off in Hanley and visited shops before going to a pub he often frequents. Mr Perry then says he very foolishly joined some of those in that group and participated in a way that has been shown on CCTV and bodycam footage.
“Mr Perry has shown real remorse on his part that he chose to do that. He is keen his involvement wasn’t motivated by race and says he was caught up in the excitement of the disturbance as he has no political views at all.
“His family are both astonished and devastated that he should become embroiled in this type of offence, and they have said in their reference they find it surreal he has behaved in this way. His worst behaviour was banging on police shields and he didn’t throw or shout any racist commentary. He is still a young man at 23, I suspect he is more prone to reckless or foolish choices that are likely to diminish as he ages.
“He’s hopeful, because of his good work ethic, he will be working back in Hanley Market. He has a good relationship with his family and maintains direct relations with his mother and father and they will support him on his release. This will be his first experience of prison and the criminal justice system in any capacity. He assures me that once he’s released from his sentence he will return to work and will not trouble the criminal justice system again.”
Judge Graeme Smith described Perry as being at the ‘forefront of the activity’ on Town Road.
He added: “You were threatening and aggressive to police. You struck officers from the side when they didn’t see you coming. You are relatively young, have no previous convictions, and have a good work ethic. I will reduce your sentence from 34 months to 22 months imprisonment.”
A dad who took part in the Hanley riots is missing his son’s first birthday after being locked up for two years for spitting at police. Marcus Ramsden was invited to the Hanley riots by friends and family.
CCTV footage captured the 22-year-old – from Latebrook Close, in Goldenhill – shouting, swearing and spitting at police officers on Town Road.
Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “Disorder took place on August 3 and police were deployed to Hanley to keep opposing groups away from each other. Police officers were assaulted during the incident, they were the subject of violence and abuse, and projectiles were thrown. This resulted in serious physical injury, fear, distress and disruption. There were costs to businesses. It had a detrimental effect on the community. There was racial hostility by protesters in general because it was a busy public area, there was clearly alcohol involved, and people were throwing things.
“Two clips show Mr Ramsden spitting at officers. Mr Ramsden was arrested on August 22, he gave a prepared statement and said he was invited by friends and family, is not racist, and doesn’t hold racist opinions. He admitted spitting at the police shield and says he was caught up in the moment and was struck by a brick himself.”
Ramsden pleaded guilty to violent disorder and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. The Hanley riots were triggered by the deaths of three children at a dance studio in Southport.
Emily Calman, mitigating, said: “Mr Ramsden fully accepts that his behaviour was appalling but his anger towards the police was because he doesn’t think they are doing enough to protect young girls, particularly the ones in Southport. He isn’t throwing things at police officers, but he should have left when he knew the violence was escalating.”
Judge Graeme Smith interjected: “Mr Ramsden suggested Muslims are ‘rapists’ – that had nothing to do with Southport.”
Ms Calman replied: “He shouldn’t have been acting in that way and fully accepts that. He has enrolled in anger management therapy and has spoken to his GP about his emotions.”
Judge Graeme Smith told Ramsden: “Violence was fuelled by misinformation and far-right sentiment spread across the nation. Asylum seekers were targeted, injuries were sustained, and there was damage to communities.
“It is up to the police to protect the public from this attack. On and around Town Road there is a mosque and this was a Saturday when members of the public were out shopping, eating, and enjoying leisure time and you decided to take part in the violence.
“I have no doubt many who attended the protest conducted so peacefully, but regretfully, many were not. Weapons were used on both sides, missiles were thrown by both sides, and police officers and protesters were injured. It is a public duty to keep the peace and there was widespread violent public disorder.
“There were threats of violence to people or property. This was unlawful activity that would have resulted in serious fear, distress, and destruction. There was substantial risk of livelihood to businesses and the public purse.”
A man who sprayed four police officers with a fire extinguisher at a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for 20 months.
Steven Tiquin, 41, went to Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 3 August, three days after a violent mass protest, Salisbury Crown Court heard.
Finding no demonstrators there, he sprayed the officers, threw a bike, pulled an inspector’s tie and challenged him to a fight, the court was told.
Tiquin previously pleaded guilty to four counts of assaulting emergency workers, a charge of affray and a racially aggravated public order offence.
More than 200 people shouted abuse, banged on windows and set off flares at the previous protest at the hotel on 31 July.
It was part of “rioting that swept England following the murders of three little girls in Southport”, Judge Rufus Taylor told the court.
He said police were at the hotel making inquiries three days later when Tiquin arrived and “decided to make a statement”.
The scaffolder, who had been drinking, shouted “they shouldn’t be here” and “they’re going to rape our children” as well as verbally abusing the officers, the judge said.
The defendant sprayed an inspector in the mouth, hit a constable and repeatedly tried to bite the officers after being pinned to the ground, the court heard.
Two of the officers suffered minor injuries, while children inside the hotel were “petrified”, the judge said.
Barrister Lucy Conroy, defending, said the father of one was “exceptionally remorseful and embarrassed… by his own stupidity”.
Tiquin, of Grosvenor Road, gave the judge a thumbs up when the sentence was read out.
A man who threw rocks at police during a riot in Staffordshire in the summer, telling one officer he would “bite his face off”, has been jailed for three years.
Martin McCluskey was filmed verbally abusing the officer before footage also showed him throwing missiles at officers, during trouble in Tamworth in August.
The 60-year-old, of Manor Road, Tamworth, previously admitted violent disorder and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, at Stafford Crown Court.
Asst Ch Con Stuart Ellison, of Staffordshire Police, said officers faced “acts of mindless criminality and violence” in the riot, during which petrol bombs were thrown and attempts made to torch a hotel housing asylum seekers.
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