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‘Community hero’ jailed for hurling bricks in riots

By
September 18, 2024
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A former community award winner who hurled bricks at a police van during a riot in Southport has been jailed.

Joshua Cropper, 31, of Pitt Street, Southport, who was previously given a Pride of Sefton Award, was caught on video launching rocks, bricks and a concrete slab at the van while officers were inside, Merseyside Police said.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for violent disorder in the town on 30 July.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy from Knowsley, who cannot be named, has been convicted of assaulting a police officer during violent disorder in Liverpool on 3 August.

‘Truly shocking’

Cropper was given a courage award in the 2023 Pride of Sefton Awards for rescuing a number of dogs from a burning house.

Awards organisers Stand Up For Southport reported at the time that he was “overwhelmed” to get the award.

Speaking to the Stand Up For Southport, external community website at the time, the dad-of-three said: “I believe in karma. It’s good to do things to help other people.”

Det Ch Insp Tony Roberts said: “Cropper played a central role in the awful scenes he and others brought to the town that day.”

He said Cropper had repeatedly smashed the side window of a police van with a rock while officers were inside and picked up a concrete slab which he then used to strike the bonnet a number of times.

“While Cropper was topless throughout, he made some attempt to cover his face with a top tied around his neck and he wore a cap,” he added, .

Sitting on Tuesday, Liverpool Crown Court also heard that the 16-year-old assaulted a police officer by kicking him in the back after he had already been pushed off his motorbike on The Strand.

Mobile phone footage of the incident was shared widely on social media.

The teenager was convicted of violent disorder, criminal damage, assault by beating of an emergency worker and two counts of burglary other than in a dwelling.

He was also identified on footage as being at the forefront of a large mob who threw bricks at officers as well as damaging and burgling stores in Clayton Square.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and the boy, who also tried to conceal his identity with a face mask, will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 1 October.

DCI Roberts said the footage of the police officer being assaulted on The Strand was “truly shocking”.

“A lot of people would have viewed it and been appalled after it was widely shared on social media in the immediate aftermath of the disorder in Liverpool,” he said.

“Thankfully the officer didn’t sustain serious injuries during this particular incident, but the aggression and violence on display serves as a snapshot of what all of our officers had to deal with during the incidents in Liverpool and Southport.”

The force continued to identify suspects with more charges expected, he added.

BBC News

Carer among eight people remanded over Tamworth disorder

By
September 17, 2024
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Cameron Bell admitted a charge of violent disorder at Stafford Crown Court and now faces an ‘inevitable’ custodial sentence.

Six men and two women, including a care worker who broadcast a violent protest on social media, were remanded in custody after appearing in connection with disorder in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on August 4.

Stafford Crown Court was told Cameron Bell, who has no previous convictions, accepted her guilt on a charge of violent disorder “on the understanding that she was present and live-streamed the matter to her TikTok account”.

Bell, 24, from Tamworth, admitted a single count of violent disorder on Tuesday and was remanded in custody for sentencing in the week commencing October 28 after being told a jail sentence was inevitable.

She appeared in the dock alongside her partner Kyle Barber, also from Tamworth, whose case was adjourned until October 8.

Barber, 24, was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of violent disorder and was remanded in custody.

Mitchell Cleaver, 25, of Burton-on-Trent, appeared jointly via videolink from HMP Dovegate along with Martin McCluskey, 60, from Tamworth.

Cleaver, wearing a vest, admitted a charge of riot relating to events in Tamworth on August 4, where a hotel containing housing asylum seekers was set on fire, and will be sentenced on October 30.

McCluskey admitted violent disorder and pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Judge John Edwards ordered a psychological assessment to be carried out on Cleaver, who has serious learning difficulties and was caught on police drone footage, before sentencing on November 11.

The judge ordered McCluskey to remain in custody until sentencing on October 30.

Tommy McQuaker, 29, of Amington in Tamworth, made a separate videolink appearance from HMP Dovegate.

He admitted violent disorder and pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog, with prosecutors accepting the latter charge should not be proceeded with.

Adjourning McQuaker’s case to November 8, Judge Edwards told him: “I will accede to your barrister’s request for a pre-sentence report but please don’t take it from that that your sentence will be anything other than one of prison.”

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, is accused of riot and assaulting a female police officer.

He admitted assault but pleaded not guilty to riot on the grounds he does not accept having a common purpose with others present at the scene.

His case was adjourned for trial in the week commencing January 20.

No pleas were taken from Darren Woodley, 55, also from Tamworth and also charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody until next Monday.

Last to appear before the same judge was Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The 37-year-old, from Rugeley, was said to have had “somewhat limited” involvement in the disorder and will reappear for sentence in custody in the week beginning November 4.

Evening Standard

Six people have pleaded guilty to charges related to the disorder in Tamworth last month.

By
September 17, 2024
Uncategorized

Six men and two women appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday accused of committing offences during the disturbance at the town’s Holiday Inn Express on 4 August.

Cameron Bell, 23, Martin McClusky, 60, and Tommy McQuaker, 29, all from Tamworth, admitted violent disorder.

McClusky also pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer.

Aimee Hodgkinson, 37, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, admitted violent disorder, while Mitchell Cleaver, 25, from Tamworth, pleaded guilty to a charge of riot.

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer but not guilty to riot. His trial for the latter charge has been scheduled for 20 January.

Kyle Barber, 24, and Darren Woodley, 55, both from Tamworth, did not enter pleas to charges of violent disorder and their cases have been adjourned.

Those who pleaded guilty are due to be sentenced at later dates.

BBC News

Protester jailed for assaulting police officer

By
September 17, 2024
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A man has been jailed for 14 months after assaulting a police officer during an anti-immigration protest.

Ian Wyn Thomas, 47, of Elliott Road in Bournemouth, Dorset, attended the protest on The Esplanade in Weymouth on 4 August.

Dorset Police said he was seen to confront and push an officer, before throwing his right hand toward their head, which the officer blocked with their arm.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker at Bournemouth Crown Court on 10 September.

Thomas was identified following a review of footage and other evidence gathered from the protest, the force said.

An estimated 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered in Weymouth on 4 August. There were also about 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators.

It was one of a number of violent outbreaks across England and Northern Ireland, following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.

Another man, James Ashley Hepburn, 31, from Portland, was previously charged with encouraging or assisting in the commission of offences of murder believing one or more will be committed.

The charge, in connection with the same protest, was discontinued at Bournemouth Crown Court on 30 August.

He will instead appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 30 September charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provocation.

BBC News

Man jailed for attacking PC during protest disorder

By
September 11, 2024
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A man who punched a police officer during protests in Nottingham city centre has been jailed for four months.

Stephen Wilson was among hundreds of people who gathered near the Brian Clough Statue in King Street on 3 August.

Nottinghamshire Police said when disorder broke out, Wilson struck the officer in the face with “substantial force”, leaving him with a damaged tooth, facial bruising and a cut and swollen lip.

The 35-year-old, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker and possession of a Class B drug at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday.

Nottinghamshire Police said the officer had volunteered to work on the day of the protests, which were among several taking place around the country following the killings of three young girls at a dance studio in Southport, Merseyside.

He was attacked while attempting to assist a colleague in arresting another man.

Officers later found cannabis in Wilson’s cell following his arrest.

Ch Inp Karl Thomas said: “No emergency worker should be subjected to violence of this nature. It is not, and never will be, part of the job description.

“I’d like to thank the people who helped us to identify Wilson as the attacker following a public appeal.”
BBC News

Woman hangs head as she’s shown what happened when ‘adrenaline got the better of her’

By
September 11, 2024
Uncategorized

The nursery worker hurled racial abuse and struck out at a police officer’s riot shield during violent scenes in Southport

A nursery worker cried and hung her head in shame in court as she was shown what happened when “the adrenaline got the better of her”.

Ellie Clarke hurled racial abuse and struck out at a police officer’s riot shield as violence erupted in Southport 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 July.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Tuesday, that crowds had gathered in the area around St Luke’s Road in the town in the evening of July 30, the day after the killings, and hurled missiles towards police officers at the Southport Islamic Society Mosque while chanting “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b*****ds” and “who the f*** is Allah?”. More than 50 PCs were injured during the incident with “significant” damage also being caused to residents’ properties.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Clarke was seen “at the front of the mob” at around 8.45pm. The 21-year-old, of Chestnut Street in Southport, then pointed towards a cordon which had been formed by officers and shouted “if it was your f***ing daughter who was stabbed dead by a f***ing p**i” and “pushed aggressively” at one of their riots shields.

Appearing in the dock wearing a bright pink cardigan over a black top and with long brown hair, she sat with her head bowed in the dock as bodycam footage of the incident began to be played to the court before wiping her eyes with a tissue. Clarke was arrested on Duke Street in Southport on September 2 in an “agreed meeting” after she had been circulated as wanted.

She gave a prepared statement under interview saying: “I heard about the stabbings in Southport and was very distressed, particularly given the fact that I used to work in a nursery. I was under the impression that there would be a peaceful demonstration.

“My curiosity got the better of my and I went to the front of the crowd. The adrenaline got the better of me and I used language I am ashamed of. I am very sorry for what I did and would like to apologise to the officer involved. I would stress that I was not part of any violent disorder.”

Clarke later pleaded guilty to violent disorder, racially aggravated harassment and assaulting an emergency services worker when appearing before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court last week. She was due to be sentenced in the crown court this afternoon, but the case was adjourned in order for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

Her counsel Daniel Travers told the court that his client had suffered from mental health issues and said that her “involvement was at the lowest end” during an “absolutely appalling incident”. Clarke, who has no previous convictions, was remanded into custody until her new sentencing date on October 22.

Adjourning the case, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “If I was dealing with the defendant today, there would be a custodial sentence. That might still be the position. This is all designed to assist and enable me to arrive at the correct sentence.”

Liverpool Echo

Traffic cone rioter jailed for 16 months

By
September 9, 2024
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A man who threw a traffic cone at a police officer during rioting in Hull last month has been jailed.

Lewis Carver, 31, of Cape Drive in Anlaby, admitted violent disorder and the assault of an emergency worker and was sent to prison for 16 months.

Carver, who owns a landscaping business, was captured on CCTV at several locations in the city during the unrest on 3 August.

Passing sentence at Hull Crown Court, Judge Mark Bury said the footage had shown Carver to be a “street hooligan”.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, told the court that Carver played a “prominent role” in the violence and behaved in “an aggressive manner”.

Carver was in King Edward Street when he hurled the cone. An officer was cut on the face and was “likely” to have been left with a scar.

He was also part of a group that targeted a hotel on Ferensway, which housed asylum seekers and was being guarded by police.

Michael Forrester, defending, said Carver, who had no previous convictions, was “deeply ashamed” of his behaviour and offered no explanation except “stupidity”.

Judge Bury said the sentence had to “punish you and deter others”.

BBC News

Man admits assaulting police officer during protest

By
September 9, 2024
Uncategorized

A man has admitted assaulting a police officer during a protest in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Violence broke out in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth on 3 and 4 August amid widespread disorder across the UK.

Marcus Ramsden, 22, of Goldenhill, in Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Hanley at a hearing at the city’s crown court on Monday.

He also admitted common assault of an emergency worker and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Ramsden was bailed to return to the court on 23 September.

Staffordshire Police said it had now arrested 73 people and charged 30 following disorder in the area on 3 and 4 August.

Riots and anti-immigration protests took place across the UK after three young girls were killed in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July, fuelled by false claims on social media that the attacker was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat.

BBC News

Bare-chested dad-of-three ‘behaved like a wild animal’ as he attacked bus and launched bricks at police

By
September 7, 2024
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Father-of-three Joshua Stokes could ‘offer no explanation’ why he took part in the violent disorder in Newton Heath

A father-of-three who ‘played a leading role’ in mob violence that erupted in north Manchester following the deaths of three young girls in Southport told a court he had ‘no explanation’ for why took part in the sickening disorder.

Joshua Stokes was described as ‘behaving like a wild animal’ as he repeatedly hurled bricks at police and tried to kick in the door of a passing bus in Newton Heath on July 31, Manchester Crown Court heard. CCTV played in court showed a bare-chested Stokes taking a ‘running leap’ at the bus doors before kicking them three times.

The bus driver, who was injured after being assaulted by another member of the mob, said the attack left him terrified.

Police footage also showed Stokes, 25, smashing a brick into smaller pieces to be thrown at police, then a short while later repeatedly hurling bricks at officers. When he was arrested on a nearby street, he was said to be holding two pint glasses in his outstretched arms.

As police forced him to the floor he swung one of those glasses into the side of a Pc, causing it to shatter. The officer wasn’t injured. The court heard as he was arrested Stokes shouted: “You’re letting them take our kids. Protect our kids.”

Stokes had three previous convictions for four offences, including a section 18 wounding for which he was jailed for four years.

During the disorder, which took place outside a Holiday Inn on Oldham Road which was housing asylum seekers, including families and children, racist chants were heard and bricks and bottles were hurled at police and the hotel. A resident of the hotel was injured after he was hit by flying glass.

Manchester Crown Court heard it was organised via Facebook in a post that read ‘Let’s get them out. 6pm today,’ followed by three clenched fist emojis and a St George’s flag.

Jonathan Savage, defending, said Stokes was unaware of the social media post which led to the disorder, a claim the judge said he took with ‘some degree of conjecture’. And, Mr Savage, said Stokes, who suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression, following a ‘series of assaults’, could offer no explanation for why he came to be involved.

Mr Savage said: “He simply cannot explain how he was drawn into the violence. He is thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.

“He knows the impact it had had on the community. He knows the impact it has had on his children, who he misses desperately.”

Stokes, of Lifton Avenue, Miles Platting, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker. Jailing him for three years Judge John Potter said his actions were ‘despicable’ and described him as a ‘determined and violent individual’.

He added: “You played a leading and significant role in this violent disorder because you indulged yourself in violence in four different locations.”

GMP said they were unable to release Stokes’ custody image.

Manchester Evening News

Convicted for the Hull Riots

By
September 6, 2024
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  • Andrew Stewart, 37-years-old, of Anlaby Road in Hull was charged with violent disorder in connection with the incident. He pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing and has received two and a half years in prison
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Andrew Steward
  • Brandon Kirkwood, 20-years-old, of Downing Grove in Hull was charged with violent disorder and pleaded guilty to the offence. He has been given two and a half years in prison
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Brandon Kirkwood
  • Christoper Douglas, 35-years-old, of Avenues Court in Hull was charged with violent disorder and pleaded guilty. He has been handed a two year, eight month sentence
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Christopher Kirkwood
  • Connor Whiteley, 26-years-old, of Park Row, Hull was charged with violent disorder and assault emergency worker in connection with the incident and was sentenced to three years behind bars. He was also handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order
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Connor Whiteley
  • John Honey, 25 years old, of Park Grove, Hull pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, violent disorder and racially aggravated criminal damage and was sentenced to four and a half years. He was also issued a five-year criminal behaviour order
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John Honey
  • David Wilkinson, 48 years old, of Lorraine Street, Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage and attempted arson and was sentenced to six years. He was also issued a five-year criminal behaviour order
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Davind Wilkinson
  • Steven Love, 41 years old, of Middleton Street, Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to three years, four months. Love was also issued a five-year criminal behaviour disorder
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Steven Love
  • John Nunan, 36 years old, of Hermes Close, Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to two years
  • Travis Whitelock, 23 years old, of Brisbane Street, Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to two years
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Travis Whitelock
  • Corey Holloway, 20 years old, of Belmont Street, Scunthorpe pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to one year six months
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Corey Holloway
  • Stuart Randall, 55-years-old, of Jervis Road in Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and racially aggravated criminal damage and was sentenced to three years in prison and handed a five-year criminal behaviour order on his release
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Stuart Randall
  • William Riley, 64-years-old, of St Aidans Way in Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker and was sentenced to 18 months in prison
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William Riley
  • David Buckle, 39-years-old, of Southgate Way, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and has been jailed for three years and was handed a five-year criminal behaviour order
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David Buckle
  • Jermaine Glover, 23-years-old, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson. He has been jailed for two years and was handed a five-year criminal behaviour order
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Jermaine Glover
  • Jordan Murray, 26-years-old, of Grasby Road, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, two counts of burglary and possession of a class B drug. He has been jailed for two years and was handed a five-year criminal behaviour order
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Jordan Murray
  • Michael Campbell, 56-years-old, of Icelandic Close in Hull was sentenced to one year and eight months after pleading guilty to violent disorder
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Michael Campbell
  • Jarrod Farrah, 32-years-old, of Portobello Street in Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was given two-years behind bars and handed a six-year criminal behaviour order
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Jarrod Farrah
  • Daniel Mennell, 36-years-old, of Belmont Street in Hull was sentenced to two years and three months after pleading guilty to violent disorder
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Daniel Mennell
  • Jackie Miller, 57-years-old, of South Garth, Little Weighton pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour and was sentenced to eight months
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Jackie Miller
  • Ben Chapman, 20-years-old, of Stockleigh Close pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for 32 months and given a 5-year criminal behaviour order
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Ben Chapman
  • Joshua Hobman, 33-years-old, of Wenlock Street pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for two years
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Joshua Hobman
  • Scott Rushworth, 33-years-old, of Lambwath Hall Court in Hull pleaded guilty to violent disorder and has been given two years and four months behind bars. He was also handed a five-year criminal behaviour order
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Scott Rushworth
  • Abderrahim Elmuoden, 20-years-old, of Wimslow Close in North Tyneside pleaded guilty to violent disorder, two counts of burglary, racially aggravated criminal damage, and arson. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in in prison
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Abderrahim Elmuoden
  • Declan Wild, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, racially aggravated assault, burglary and two counts of assault of an emergency worker
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Declan Wild
  • Jordan Shaw, 19-years-old, of Ilthorpe, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.
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Jordan Shaw

Humberside Police