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Woman sentenced following disorder and burglary in Southport

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February 4, 2025
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A woman has been sentenced today, Monday 3 February, for her role in violent disorder in Southport last summer.

Emma McAteer, of Pollard Road in Wavertree, was arrested and charged on Monday 27 January, with violent disorder and burglary in Southport on Tuesday 30 July.

She appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today after pleading guilty at a previous hearing.

The 26-year-old was captured on CCTV throwing three missiles at police officers on Sussex Road. She then pushes through the crowd gathered outside Windsor minimart, enters the shop via a broken open shutter and steals items from the shelf. She is then seen carrying out stolen goods in her arms.

Today, McAteer, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “McAteer has been jailed today for the role she played in the large-scale violent disorder which took place in Southport and resulted in numerous police officers being injured and property being damaged.

“The part she played that day in a community that was in mourning was despicable, and she has now been brought to justice for her disgraceful actions.”

The total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 171, with 129 charged and 107 sentenced to a combined 210 years and four months 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.

Merseyside Police

Shameless women went on brazen Crocs and bathbomb shoplifting spree during riot

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February 2, 2025
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As thugs smashed shops and wreaked violence in Hull city centre during last summer’s riots, Elizabete Zvirgzdina and Lucy Houghton grabbed a basket and helped themselves to stock from Lush and Shoezone stores

Two teenagers gallingly lined their pockets with Crocs and bath bombs as they brazenly looted city centre shops during last summer’s riots.

Elizabete Zvirgzdina and Lucy Houghton helped themselves to stock as shops were smashed and looted during the wave of violence last summer, in which thugs across the country brought violence and destruction to UK streets following the Southport attacks. The two were named and shamed after admitting their role in the shameful displays in August last year.

Appalling images showed yobs breaking into a Lush and Shoezone store in Hull city centre following a nearby riot on what was a weekend of violence described as “a stain on this city”. The two both handled stolen Croc-type sandals which had been taken from the Shoezone by another man and dumped on the pavement.

Zvirgzdina, 19, admitted burglary at the Lush store in Jameson Street, Hull, involving entering the shop as a trespasser and stealing “multiple products” of an unknown value, on August 3, Hull Live reports. She also admitted burglary with intent to steal at the 02 store, also in Jameson Street.

Houghton, also 19, also admitted handling the stolen goods at Hull crown court on Friday. The court heard that shoes, which had been taken from the raided store, in Jameson Street, were put on the pavement outside the shop and both Zvirgzdina and Houghton picked them up and stole them.

CCTV showed Zvirgzdina also entering an O2 store at 6.37pm after the windows had been previously smashed, showing her wandering around but not taking anything. Minutes later, she entered the Lush and even picked up a basket, helping herself to as much stock “as she could carry” from the popular cosmetics store.

The two were later “seen with several pairs of Crocs in their hands,” said prosecutor Jennifer Gatland. Both women handed themselves in to the police on August 5. When Zvirgzdina was searched, she was found in possession of cannabis. Judge Mark Bury said: “That wasn’t very clever – going to the police station with cannabis.”

Zvirgzdina told police that she had drunk five to seven vodka and Cokes. She went to the protest outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway and said that it was about “kicking all the foreigners out of the hotel”.

She admitted being outside Shoezone and picking up the Crocs and going around Lush with a basket. She claimed that she had gone into O2 “for 30 seconds” and, during the incidents, she had “recorded it on TikTok Live”, the court heard.

“There was some degree of planning,” said Miss Gatland. “Clearly, there was substantial impact and a substantial degree of loss caused by the loss and damage.” Zvirgzdina and Houghton had no previous convictions.

Claire Holmes, mitigating, said: “Both defendants behaved in an appalling way on this particular day but, since then, they have done all that they could to try to put forward their best mitigation. They both handed themselves in to the police station.

“They were both in drink, which is no excuse. Neither defendant seeks to excuse their behaviour in any way. They are both apologetic.” Judge Bury said that one of them later claimed that she was not in drink.

He asked Zvirgzdina: “What were you thinking of then?” She replied: “I didn’t think anything. I just saw everyone else doing it so I thought it was acceptable.”

When Judge Bury told her that it was not acceptable, she hastily added: “I know it’s not acceptable but I see everyone else doing it.” She said that her father lived in Latvia and her mother lived in Gilberdyke. Zvirgzdina said that she had a “little brother” and admitted that her behaviour was a very bad example to set him. “I apologise,” she said. She was working. Judge Bury told her: “For goodness’ sake, stay out of trouble.”

Houghton told the court that she was unemployed. “I have applied for jobs,” she said. Her mother was “ashamed” of her. “I am sorry,” she said.

Judge Bury told her: “You are better than this. You have got to do something with your life. You did something really stupid, although you didn’t yourself break in to any store.”

Judge Bury told both women: “August 3 of last year represents a stain on this city. There was large-scale public disorder of a totally unpleasant, racist and violent type. Police officers were injured. Racial minorities were being verbally abused.

“You were not involved in that, either of you, but later in the day, when the shops had been looted and broken into by people with bats or sometimes just their boots, property was being stolen by people who thought it was the right thing to do to help themselves.” Zvirgzdina also admitted a separate offence of possessing cannabis on August 5.

Judge Bury added: “Both of you are totally ashamed of the things that you did. Both of you are far better people than this. I believe you two are the only two defendants that I have not locked up in these proceedings, so if you want to know how lucky you are, that’s how lucky you are.”

Zvirgzdina was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence and 12 days’ rehabilitation. Houghton was given 40 hours’ unpaid work and 15 days’ rehabilitation.
Daily Mirror

Man appears in court over Hull riot

By
January 30, 2025
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A West Yorkshire man who took part in last summer’s Hull riot will be sentenced on 7 March.

Ashley Smith, 26, admitted violent disorder and four counts of burglary at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 22 January.

On Wednesday, Smith, of Quarry Lane, Halifax, was told the sentencing date when he appeared briefly at Grimsby Crown Court.

A number of people have been given prison sentences after violence broke out following a demonstration involving anti-immigration protesters in the city centre on 3 August.

BBC News

Two more locked up for their roles in Hull riot

By
January 27, 2025
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They admitted violent disorder following the horrific scenes in the city centre last August

Two more troublemakers have been locked up after serious scenes of violence, disorder and looting broke out in Hull city centre in August.

They were the latest to appear at Hull Crown Court after a frightening outbreak of serious disturbances, including outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time.

Ethan Armstrong, 26, of Raven Walk, off Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3. He was jailed for two years and 10 months.

Morgan Williams, 20, of Wenlock Terrace, off Rustenburg Street, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and burglary at the O2 and Greggs stores on the same day. He was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that a large-scale demonstration took place in Hull city centre which led to an outbreak of violent disorder nearby.

There were fights in King Edward Street and police were called to Ferensway outside the Royal Hotel. The disorder spilled onto the cenotaph area, opposite the hotel.
Ethan Armstrong – jailed for two years and 10 months

Mr Evans told the court that Armstrong was identified after police inquiries and his actions were seen on CCTV. “The defendant was present in various areas of the city centre throughout the day,” said Mr Evans.

“His aggressive and violent behaviour was caught on either CCTV or body-worn footage. At 1.02pm, he can be seen throwing a powdered projectile of some sort outside Barclays Bank, away from the crowd and down towards King Edward Street.

“At 1.28pm, he can be seen as part of the wider crowd outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, behind the railings in the cycle lane.” Armstrong threw a missile in the direction of the police outside the hotel and he could be seen, shortly afterwards, appearing to celebrate when the man next to him threw an object that managed to reach the police line.

At 3.12pm, he appeared in the cenotaph area and was aggressive, pushing and shouting at police and, at one point, lunging forward and kicking an officer’s riot shield, sending the officer tumbling backwards.

“The defendant had been evading the police for some time and was arrested close to Marfleet Lane at 8.50am on December 24 after he climbed out and fled the address on Raven Walk,” said Mr Evans.

During police interview, Armstrong accepted that he was present that day but he claimed that he could not recall any of his behaviour that was shown to him on CCTV. He claimed that he was hit on the head with a cosh by a police officer and must have “lost it”.

He claimed that he still had a scar and a lump on his head from where he was hit and that, since the incident, he had suffered from nightmares and night terrors.

Armstrong had convictions for 17 previous offences, starting from when he was aged 11. They included using threatening words or behaviour in October 2022, involving dragging a female by her hair and shoving her. He raised his fist and headbutted her, causing a bloody nose.

He also had convictions for wounding and affray in March 2021, a road rage incident in which he punched another driver in the face, knocking him to the ground, where he banged his head, needing stitches to his mouth and the back of his head.

Armstrong also had a conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm in December 2019, involving repeatedly punching an ex-girlfriend in her face, causing two black eyes, lumps to the forehead, a split lip and bruising to her legs.

He had another conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm in June 2017, involving punching a man, causing a large cut to his upper lip and damage to his teeth.

He also had a conviction for wounding and affray in May 2016, involving punching a man to the side of his head, and one for assault in April 2017, involving punching a man in the face, causing a cut above his eye.
Morgan Williams – locked up for two years

Mr Evans said that Williams was present throughout the disorder at various locations, including outside the Royal Hotel and in Jameson Street.

He was shown on CCTV in Ferensway at about 1.45pm as part of a large crowd that had gathered outside the Royal Hotel. A still image from social media footage was widely published and it showed the moment that Williams threw a bottle towards the police cordon outside the hotel.

He was identified from his clothes. “He was present at the time when large crowds had gathered on Ferensway outside the hotel and large-scale aggression and violence was prevalent,” said Mr Evans.

Williams was later shown on CCTV entering the O2 store in Jameson Street and leaving with items in his hands. He held them up once he had left the store and was shown smiling.

He later entered Greggs and stole what was believed to be bottled drinks. He was shown in other CCTV pictures putting something down his jacket.

“Following a press and media release by Humberside Police, where still images of suspects were released in order to identify further suspects, the defendant voluntarily attended Clough Road police station on September 15,” said Mr Evans.

During police interview, he made no comment to all questions, including when shown CCTV pictures. He had no previous convictions and, unusually for those arrested after these offences, he had been on bail.

Hull Daily Mail

Man, 64, stole from Lush and O2 during riot

By
January 7, 2025
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A 64-year-old man who admitted stealing from two shops during the Hull riots has been jailed for 16 months.

Shaun Adams was seen on CCTV with a walking stick climbing in through the broken doors of the Lush cosmetics shop and the O2 phone store on 3 August.

Hull Crown Court was told that it was not clear what he had taken and the value of the stolen items.

Adams, of Russell Street, Hull, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary at the city’s magistrates’ court in November.

Prosecutor Billy Torbett said the offending took place during the large-scale public disorder in Hull city centre after rioting broke out following an anti-immigration demonstration.

Mr Torbett said the damage and loss to both shops from the rioting and looting was in excess of £30,000 each.

Adams’ barrister Oliver Shipley said that his client had “a crippling drug addiction for many years” and he was also undergoing treatment for cancer.

Passing sentence, Judge Mark Bury said he accepted that Adams was not the person who had initially broken into the shops but was “part of an enterprise that involved a significant loss of property”.

“It is depressing watching the people going into the shops and helping themselves to other people’s property,” the judge added.

Judge Bury warned the defendant that he had to address his addiction while in prison “or you won’t make old bones if you go back to drugs”.

As well as the 16-month jail term, an 18-week suspended sentence for a previous burglary was activated.

BBC News

Boy sentenced after missiles thrown in riot

By
January 6, 2025
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A 16-year-old boy has been given a referral order after taking part in last summer’s rioting in which 400 missiles were thrown at police in Hull.

The boy, who was 15 at the time and cannot be named for legal reasons, was caught on CCTV hurling objects, damaging shop windows and stealing items from a Lush store in Hull city centre on 3 August.

At Hull Magistrates’ Court earlier, which was sitting as a youth court, the teenager admitted burglary with intent to cause damage and burglary with intent to steal. He previously admitted violent disorder and theft at a previous hearing.

Judge Mark Daley heard the boy had played a “very active part” in the unrest.

Violence erupted across England following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

In Hull, a hotel was targeted, police officers were attacked, shops looted and cars were damaged and set alight as a demonstration descended into angry unrest.

Prosecutor Mr Dhinsa said the boy had “actively armed himself” during the disorder.

Video clips of the teenager were played in court, in which he could be seen smashing the windows of Shoezone and O2 stores.

In one clip, he could be seen lifting items from a Lush store and adding them to a basket before walking out. In another he is seen throwing a bath bomb at a wall inside the same premises.

In other footage, the boy was seen on Jameson Street pushing two large wheelie bins and throwing missiles among a mob, which included John Honey, who was jailed for his part in the riot.

The prosecutor said police officers were “outnumbered” by those taking part in the violent unrest with tens of thousands of pounds of damage caused to the city that day including £220,000 worth at the Lush and O2 stores.

However, the boy “wasn’t involved in all of it”, said Mr Dhinsa.

The court heard the boy was handed into the police station by his parents after his mother received a phone call from a family friend who had seen the teenager in videos. When she confronted him about it, her son said: “I was there when it happened but I didn’t throw anything.”

In mitigation, solicitor Jason Nicholson said the youngster went to the city centre “out of curiosity and didn’t know anybody there”.

“He was drawn into the activity and he takes full responsibility for his actions,” he said.

Sentencing the boy to a 12-month referral order and a £26 surcharge, Judge Daley heard how he had “let himself down and his family”.

The teenager’s father told the court how it had “affected the family”.

“I think he’s just been rebelling,” he said.

“It’s hard for all of us.”

BBC News

Teenager, 17, threw missiles at police and stole cigarettes from shop

By
December 3, 2024
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155 people have been arrested in connection with violent disorder, with 110 charged and 85 sentenced to a combined 178 years and 10 months in prison

A 17-year-old boy from Southport has been given a 12-month youth referral order for Violent Disorder and burglary.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threw missiles at officers, threw a rock towards a marked police car and was also part of a large group who smashed the glass door and metal shutters on a nearby convenience store.

He was then seen to jump onto the shop counter and collect numerous items, believed to be packets of cigarettes, and put them in his pockets. The teenager was arrested following the disorder in Southport on Tuesday, July 30.

Violence originally broke out in Southport on July 30 when hundreds of people clashed with police following the deaths of three young girls – Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Da Silva Aguiar – in a mass stabbing the previous day.

Today (Tuesday December 3), he appeared at Liverpool Youth Court where he was sentenced to the youth referral order and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “Southport witnessed some terrible incidents of disorder on 30 July which have had a huge and long-lasting impact on the people who live, work and run businesses there.

“In order to reassure our communities about how seriously we take such behaviour we have continued to take action against those responsible. We know that the vast majority of the public support us in our actions and we are committed to continue to bring as many people to justice as possible.

“So far, 155 people have been arrested in connection with disorder, with 110 charged and 85 sentenced to a combined 178 years and 10 months in prison.

Liverpool Echo

Man says ‘love ya’ as he’s jailed for what he did in Pret A Manger

By
November 27, 2024
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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.”

Liverpool Echo

Norris Green man jailed for two years and eight months for Violent Disorder in Liverpool city centre

By
November 20, 2024
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We are welcoming the latest court result following Violent Disorder in Merseyside, the 82nd person sentenced so far.

Liam Lewis, 27, of Sandway Crescent, Norris Green, was jailed for two years and eight months for Violent Disorder and Burglary other at Liverpool Crown Court today, Wednesday 20 November.

On Saturday 3 August, Lewis was found to have been involved in Violent Disorder that occurred in Liverpool City Centre following the tragic events in Southport days earlier. He was seen to break up bricks before throwing them at police officers. Lewis was then seen letting off a fire extinguisher on the public highway, before using it to force entry to a phone repair shop in Church Street.

Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “The scenes of violence, criminal damage and looting we saw over the summer were disgraceful, and we are pleased to see another offender facing the consequences of their actions.

“To use misinformation as some kind of excuse to target members of the public, businesses and the emergency services is inexcusable, and caused emotional and material damage to communities shocked but standing together in the face of tragedy.

“We will continue to put those responsible before the courts, and would encourage anyone with information to keep coming forward.”

A total of 151 arrests have now been made, with 105 charged and 82 people now sentenced to 168 years and one month.

Anyone with information to assist our ongoing investigations is asked to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Merseyside Police

Hull rioter with an ‘appalling catalogue’ of other horrific offences is jailed

By
November 5, 2024
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Sonny Brewitt threw a plank of wood at police during the Hull city centre disorder in August but also admitted a string of other crimes

A violent troublemaker who played an “active” role during “12 hours of racist hate-fuelled mob violence” in Hull city centre – and also had an “appalling catalogue” of other nasty offences – has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Sonny Brewitt was at the front of the frightening disturbances, including the targeting of a garage where cowering children and others had to take refuge. In separate offences, he made his ex-girlfriend’s life a misery by repeatedly harassing her and he was also involved in a callous burglary, Hull Crown Court heard.

Brewitt, 22, of College Grove, off Preston Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder, racially aggravated criminal damage and stealing a wallet on August 3.

He also admitted separate earlier offences of stalking his ex-girlfriend between July and December last year, breaching a restraining order and assaulting a nurse. He admitted a separate burglary offence on July 14.

Jennifer Gatland, prosecuting, said that bare-chested Brewitt was holding a plank of wood during the disturbances in Hull city centre and he threw it at a line of police officers in Ferensway, Hull. They were forming a protective guard outside the Royal Hotel, which was understood to be housing asylum seekers at the time.

Brewitt was one of the leaders in the confrontation and he was one of the first to get involved in trouble at a garage in Milky Way, off Spring Bank. Seven people, including children, had to pull down the shutters and lock themselves inside the garage. There were shouts by others of “Open the door. I’ll kill you.”

Vehicles were damaged outside while the group cowered inside the main garage. They feared for their safety. Brewitt went up to the shutters and started shaking them. He was part of a mob that surrounded a BMW car with three terrified Romanian occupants inside. He leaned in and stole a wallet.

The stalking offence happened when Brewitt breached a restraining order that had been imposed by Hull magistrates on January 5, 2022, banning him from contacting his ex-girlfriend.

On July 26 last year, he approached her and shouted aggressively at her before grabbing a pram. He followed her, became more aggressive and punched her in the face before pushing her off a fence.

He tried to take her mobile phone from her and pushed her into a bush. She shouted “Get off me”. A nurse saw what was happening and she said that she was going to call the police. Brewitt became aggressive towards her and assaulted her.

In November, Brewitt sent voicemails to his ex-girlfriend, including saying “I’m on my way” and, on another occasion, he went to her home. He also sent a text message to her, pretending to be “Paul from Clough Road custody” and giving a fake crime number.

During a telephone call to the phone number that sent the text, the woman realised that the voice was not the supposed police officer but Brewitt.

The burglary offence happened when Brewitt and an accomplice raided a house in Kilnsea Grove, near Preston Road, east Hull. A TV was stolen from the living room as well as a firestick and a sound bar.

Brewitt was identified from CCTV pictures. The occupier was devastated by what happened because she had known Brewitt for years.

Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that Brewitt admitted playing an “active” role in the city centre disturbances and it was an escalation in his criminal behaviour from earlier offences.

“His life has clearly spiralled out of control,” said Mr Shipley. “There is no getting over that. This will be his first custodial sentence.”

Brewitt was immature, easily manipulated and prone to boredom and recklessness. He had struggled with the breakdown of his previous relationship with his girlfriend as they had a child together.

Judge John Thackray KC said that Brewitt committed an “appalling catalogue” of offences. He was part of “12 hours of racist hate-fuelled mob violence” in Hull city centre and “utterly deplorable” behaviour.

Brewitt was jailed for a total of five-and-a-half years. It included two years for the city centre violence offences, a consecutive 18 months for breaching the restraining order and a consecutive two years for burglary. He was given a five-year restraining order.

Hull Daily Mail