A 15-year-old boy has told a court he is “so ashamed” of his part in this summer’s rioting.
The teenager, who cannot be named, was caught on CCTV throwing missiles at police officers and stealing items from Greggs and Lush in Hull city centre on 3 August.
His parents took him to a police station after they spotted him in videos showing the disorder, Grimsby Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, was told on Thursday.
He pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to violent disorder and two counts of burglary but avoided prison after the judge told him he felt his remorse was “genuine”.
Several towns and cities across England saw disorder following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July in Southport, Merseyside.
In Hull, officers were attacked, shops looted and fires started as a demonstration turned violent.
The boy told the court: “I know what I did was wrong and I can’t take back my actions. I am trying my hardest to turn my life around. I’m so ashamed of myself and I am so, so sorry.”
As well as being captured on CCTV, the boy appeared on TikTok videos throwing rocks, water bottles and pieces of metal at police.
He was also seen helping others throw a ladder at officers and encouraged another person to smash the window of a Greggs store before stealing food and moving on to Lush where he helped himself to bath products.
‘Supportive family’
Joe Painter, mitigating, said: “He was involved to a significant degree and he appreciates that. It’s felt that [the boy] was heavily influenced by his peers.”
Sentencing, District Judge Daniel Curtis explained why he had decided not to jail the teenager.
He said: “It is not lost on me that your family, when they saw that you were involved, took you to the police station. That for me is the hallmark of a loving and supportive family.”
The boy, who was supported in the dock by his mother, said: “It has hurt them in many ways. I am willing to do anything to make it right.”
The judge said he felt the boy’s statement to the court was both “genuine” and “reflects remorse”.
“If I sent you to custody, that would have a dramatic impact on your education,” said the judge.
“It would have a dramatic impact on your future as a child because it would most likely be that you were in an institution with people that led you astray on the 3rd of August.”
In addition to the referral order, the boy was ordered to pay £200 in compensation.
Jackson Hegarty was part of a mob that surrounded a police officer who was knocked off his motorbike and assaulted
A baby-faced thug told police he had “ruined his whole life because of one day” after he participated in a city centre riot.
Teenager Jackson Hegarty, identified by his distinctive yellow JD bag, went into the city centre to meet friends but ended up joining a violent mob that engaged in serious disorder by damaging vehicles and local businesses and attacking police officers.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Thursday, September 19 that the violent disorder followed the deaths of three young girls – Bebe King, Alice Da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe – who died following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift dance party on July 29. Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, told the court: “What followed was widespread violent disorder fuelled by misinformation and racial hatred”.
She said between July 30 and August 3 between 225 and 275 officers were deployed each day to three major incidents of violent disorder in Merseyside. The offending of Hegarty, 18, relates to the violent rioting seen in Liverpool’s city centre on August 3 that started at around 3pm and lasted several hours.
The court heard on the day in question the teenager had got the train into the city centre to meet friends between noon and 2pm. However, at the same time a large crowd had gathered for a march that was billed as “save our kids”. However, the protests soon turned violent with rioters clashing with police officers and ransacking businesses.
Ms Nemat told the court that Mohammed Omair, who owns the I Fix Phones Repair Centre on Church Street in the city centre, made the decision to close his shop shortly after 3pm due to concerns about the disorder. Mr Omair, who has been in the UK for 10 years, said he feared for both his and his staff’s safety after hearing chants of “you bloody Muslims”, “you f***ing p****” and “go back to your country”.
The court heard as he was closing his shop a group of around 40 people, many of them with their faces covered, grabbed the shutters and forced them open. Ms Nemat said some used metal poles to keep them open while another brandished a knife at the terrified owner.
Ms Nemat said: “The defendant is captured on CCTV approaching the shutter and kicking it before beckoning towards people. He then holds open the shutter enabling others to exit the store.” Mr Omair, his staff and three members of the public sheltered at the back of the store while the mob stole around £100,000 of his stock.
Shortly after, Hegarty engaged in further disorder on the Strand. CCTV footage played in court showed the teenager gesturing towards a line of police officers. He is said to have squirted a liquid towards the officers and thrown a number of empty drink cans. CCTV also showed him “high five” another person after they let off a smoke bomb in the direction of police.
A police officer riding a motorbike was attacked during the riot. The officer, who has been named as PC Cumberlidge in previous court appearances, was kicked from his bike and attacked by the mob. Ms Nemat said: “The crowd charged towards the police officer who was pushed off his bike by another member of the group. A metal pole was thrown towards the police officer.
“While the police officer is being attacked the defendant gestures towards him and approaches him. Another member of the public stands between the defendant and the officer and gestures to him to stop or go away.”
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Omair said he sustained small glass cuts to his hands when his shop was looted. However, he said his mental health is suffering and he has to go and check any noise for fear of further attack. He said: “I feel like this was a personal attack. I am terrified to take my daughter to nursery because I am worried about her safety.”
He added: “I have lived here for 10 years and this is the first time I have experienced anything like this. I can’t believe these people are from Liverpool. I am so shocked by their act. I believe there was a racial undertone. I came to this country legally. Illegal immigration has nothing to do with me.”
The court heard Hegarty handed himself in to police after his picture was circulated. In a police interview he admitted that he threw missiles and swore at police. He accepted “he ruined his whole life because of one day”. He was charged with violent disorder and burglary and admitted the two offences at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
Daniel Travers, mitigating, told the court that his client was “appalled by his actions”. Mr Travers said: “He was carried away in the group mentality and followed the crowd wanting to be part of something.” He told the court his client wasn’t racially motivated but was instead “looking to belong to something”.
Mr Travers said: “Although his behaviour is appalling and unacceptable, it’s behaviour he won’t be repeating. He is realistic and understands there is a public interest in punishing those responsible. Mr Travers added in his client’s pre-sentence report the teenager “was impressed by the way police and prison staff treated him with care and kindness”.
Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “Although your conduct encouraged others, you didn’t play a leading role. Although some involved were racially motivated, I can’t be sure you share their motivation but I am sure that you must have been aware of a general atmosphere of racial hostility. You have no criminal convictions and I accept you didn’t go to take part in the violent disorder and you didn’t personally steal anything.”
But Judge Flewitt told Hegarty his actions had left a shop owner “feeling traumatised” and a number of officers had been seriously injured. The judge sentenced Hegarty, formerly of Ryefield Lane in Litherland but most recently of HMP Altcourse, to 20 months’ imprisonment in a young persons institute.
The teenager blew a kiss to a dozen members of his family in the public dock as he was led to the cells. Liverpool Echo
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Travis Whitelock
Corey Holloway, 20 years old, of Belmont Street, Scunthorpe pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to one year six months
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ben Chapman
Joshua Hobman, 33-years-old, of Wenlock Street pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for two years
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
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
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
Declan Wild
Jordan Shaw, 19-years-old, of Ilthorpe, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.
A 15-year-old boy who was handed into police by his mother has been given a 12-month referral order, despite a judge saying “detention was thoroughly deserved”.
The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary of Hull’s Lush store during disorder in the city centre on 3 August.
The boy’s mother recognised her son from a police appeal and took him to Clough Road Police Station to hand himself in.
In CCTV footage shown in court, the boy was seen throwing large items including orange barriers at police.
‘Not a video game’
Dressed smartly in a white shirt and black trousers, the boy was allowed to have his mother and stepfather sit by his side during the hearing, a privilege given to defendants during a youth court.
Speaking in court, the boy’s mother said her son was a “quiet boy” who only had one friend and they were not outgoing. She said he “normally went fishing or played video games”.
However, Judge Mark Daley said the disorder the boy took part in “was real life though, and people got hurt”.
He added: “It may have felt like a video game, but it’s not like there was a mob and you were separate from it.
“You were enjoying it. You did not have to do it.”
In mitigation, solicitor David Robson said the boy had expressed remorse and was apologetic for his behaviour.
He added he had “no interest in anything racist or political”, and, during a “unique event”, he got caught up in a “swarm of people”.
Mr Robson described him as “a young man caught up in something exceptional”.
The boy, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, had only been in trouble once previously after a fight at school.
Following the referral order, the boy will now return to school where he will study for his GCSEs. The court heard he had ambitions to join the RAF and work in engineering.
A man was also sentenced on Tuesday after attacking an emergency worker during the unrest on 3 August.
Declan Wild, 26, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years in prison.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault of an emergency worker, violent disorder, racially aggravated assault and burglary.
A “lonely” yob who “craved to be part of a group” jumped up and down “goading” a burglar to steal a till as hundreds caused chaos in Middlesbrough.
Burglar Bradley Playford “took advantage” of the town centre riots to steal from the Red Lantern restaurant. The 24-year-old was caught on CCTV throwing missiles at the windows of the Middlesbrough eatery before using his arm, then a bottle, to remove smashed glass from the door frame.
The Grove Hill man was later seen smashing the till from the Chinese takeaway – before sharing his loot with another burglar.
However, as the protest reached Clarendon Road items were thrown and police officers made the decision to form a line to prevent the mob from entering the road. Violence then erupted leading to windows being smashed, businesses damaged and missiles thrown.
At around 3.30pm, items were thrown at the Red Lantern restaurant on Parliament Road. The eatery was closed at the time and nobody was inside.
Playford, who was wearing red shorts, was caught on CCTV throwing items at the window causing it to smash. He then walks up to the door and uses his arm to remove smashed glass. He then comes back with a bottle to remove more glass from the sides of the door.
He is then spotted “jumping up and down and goading” another male to steal the till from inside the restaurant, Ms Masters said. The court is then shown another video, which was uploaded to TikTok with the caption ‘Middlesbrough has fallen’, showing Playford smashing the till on the floor before taking out money from inside the till.
In a victim personal statement, the owners daughter stated that they were “very frightened” and the damage to the restaurant was still being assessed. The owners were forced to close the eatery following the burglary.
‘Misguided desperation’
Jonathan Gittins, mitigating, stated that there was “no planning to go out and commit this offence” and it is the first time his client has been in trouble with the courts. The defence barrister described Playford as a “lonely and isolated individual”, adding that he suffers from mental health issues and “bullying”.
He added that Playford went to the protest to “see what was happening”, describing his actions as “opportunistic and impulsive”. The court heard that it was ‘misguided desperation to belong to a bad group’.
Mr Gittins added that Playford has lost his job and home due to his ‘stupid involvement in the shameful incident’. He added that his client’s actions were “out of character and baffling”.
His Honour Judge Francis Laird KC told Playford that he “encouraged” the unidentified male to enter the restaurant and steal the till. He also added that Playford stole money from the till and shared it with the male.
Judge Laird stated that Playford “craved to be one of the group” and took advantage of the disorder to “loot a restaurant”. Playford, of Shelley Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, was jailed for eight months.
He played a central role in scenes of disorder across the city centre in August
An aggressive troublemaker who was at the centre of serious disorder in Hull city centre later angrily claimed to police that he had been “radicalised” by activist Tommy Robinson – and that there was “two-tier justice” in this country.
Heavy-drinking Declan Wild yelled during a rant – that was filmed when he was arrested – that Robinson was “right” about what he had said. He also shouted comments about the “English Defence League” during an assault on a policeman.
During the earlier public disorder scenes, Wild chased a terrified Romanian man, who had been inside a BMW car, along with two others, when they were confronted. He had to be pulled back by another man. He also twice raided the Lush store during looting, Hull Crown Court heard.
Wild, 26, admitted violent disorder, racially aggravated assault and burglary on August 3 as well as two later offences of assaulting police as emergency workers on August 28 and 29.
Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said that Wild was present during large-scale disorder in the Jameson Street and Paragon Street areas of Hull. He was among a group who aggressively confronted police in Paragon Street and he threw missiles outside the Masters Bar pub.
He was present in the Milky Way area, off Spring Bank, and seemed to be filming the disorder. He helped with building a barricade of tyres, some of which were set alight, and was on the scene during trouble at a garage.
He took a leading role in an incident in which a BMW car, containing three Romanian men, was surrounded. One of the terrified men was dragged out. Wild chased him as he fled and hit him on the back of his head before another man pulled him back. He damaged a car, including kicking a wing mirror off.
Wild was involved in twice raiding the Lush store, including coming back and filling a bag up with items before leaving with them.
Wild was identified and traced to an address in Rochdale on August 28. He was arrested and he kicked out at a police officer while shouting: “This is two-tier policing. Tommy Robinson has radicalised me and he was right.” He made comments about the “English Defence League” and “EDL”.
Wild recklessly headbutted a police sergeant the next day, hitting him near his eye and causing a wound. He did not directly headbutt the sergeant but there was a “clashing of heads” during aggressive behaviour by Wild. He had convictions for 13 previous offences, most of them when he was a youth, and including assaults and public disorder.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Wild pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He had proved that he could stay out of trouble for periods of time. “The majority of his offending was when he was a youth,” said Miss Thompson.
Wild had travelled to Hull from the Grimsby area, where he had been living with his girlfriend. He was originally from the Manchester area.
“He had no plan to be involved in the activities but one thing led to another and he got caught up in it,” said Miss Thompson. Wild accepted his behaviour and the motivation for it. He immediately apologised to the police for the assaults.
“No sentence of imprisonment will rectify the damage and hurt that he has caused,” said Miss Thompson. Wild used to be a heavy drinker and he had suffered from mental health problems.
Judge John Thackray KC told Wild: “Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence.” During the violence, 11 police officers were hurt and “immeasurable harm” was caused, as well there being a “huge financial cost”. Wild’s behaviour when he was arrested was “appalling”.
A 17-year-old boy who was part of a mob that attacked and damaged a BMW with three Romanian men inside has been given a 12-month detention order.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously admitted violent disorder, burgling three shops and damaging two vehicles in Hull after trouble flared in the city centre on 3 August.
Sentencing him at the city’s youth court, District Judge Mark Daley told him he had “played a very full part in this disorder, which had a huge impact on the community”.
During proceedings, the judge said some of the footage he was played of the boy’s offending was “some of the worst” he had seen.
Hull Magistrates’ Court saw footage of the teenager wielding a spanner he found in the garage and using it to attack the car of a woman who worked nearby.
Prosecutor Philip Morris read some of the victim impact statement from the incident, with the woman explaining she had been physically sick from the distress the incident had caused.
The teen was also part of a group that forced a family, including two children, and their friends to flee and lock themselves inside the property, the judge heard.
The court was told the same group also put tyres in cars and set them alight at the garage.
He was also part of a large mob who shouted threats, threw missiles and a shopping trolley at a silver BMW. Footage showed him running towards the mob attacking the car.
The three occupants were “terrified” but had managed to escape, Mr Morris said.
The court also saw footage of the teenager shoving a large industrial-sized wheelie bin into a line of police officers on Jameson Street, throwing missiles and looting Lush, Shoezone and O2 stores.
‘Disgusting behaviour’
In mitigation, defence solicitor Emma Dann said the teen had handed himself into police after his photo was distributed to the media.
She said he was “absolutely appalled at his disgusting behaviour” and said he felt “significant remorse” at his actions that day.
She said the teen, who was living in a youth hostel at the time of the offending, wanted to start a construction course and be able to find a home so he could spend more time with his six-month-old daughter.
She said his actions had been influenced by “herd mentality”, but this was dismissed by the judge in his sentence.
Judge Daley said he must take into account the very serious effect the incident had on “those who had to barricade themselves in the garage”.
If the teen was over 18, the judge said he would be facing a sentence of three years, but he had made allowances for his age, the fact that he had no previous convictions and that he pleaded guilty to the offences.
Rioters have blamed a charity walk which “got out of hand”, an ill-fated trip to Gravity Max and being blackmailed by an older brother for their involvement in the disorder.
Violent scenes flared up in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar last month.
Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on the evening of July 30. A planned protest at the Pier Head the following Saturday then descended into violence, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.
The disturbances continued on County Road that night as chaos, violence and destruction ensued as looters targeted businesses in the area, including a fire being started at Spellow Library and Community Hub. Here, the ECHO has taken a look at some of the excuses defendants have given to the courts and to the police for becoming embroiled within the events.
A 14-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons
A 14-year-old boy from South Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 5. Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting told the court that this related to the teenager throwing fireworks at a police van near to B&M on Clayton Square in Liverpool city centre, a store which had earlier been “looted”.
He was found with five fireworks and a lighter following his arrest and told officers: “I’m sorry. I wasn’t firing them at you though.”
His solicitor Iqbal Kang told the judge: “He has no prior convictions whatsoever, he has never been in trouble with the police before. It is completely out of character for him.
“He tells me he headed into the city centre with the intention of catching a bus home. He was on his own. It seems, perhaps through inexperience and lack of maturity, he became involved with people he did not know who were offering out fireworks.
“He says he does not know why he became involved, but did not think things through. He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance.
“He has had plenty of time to think about his actions. He has spent two nights in custody. He understands how foolish and silly he has been and wishes he could turn the clock back.
“It is completely out of the blue. One could positively say if he had not been heading into the city centre to catch a bus, we would not be convened here like this.”
The boy will be sentenced at the youth court on August 27. He was released on bail until this date under conditions not to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcode areas.
Declan Geiran
Declan Geiran (Image: Merseyside Police)
Declan Geiran formed part of a “large group of males” who “attacked and damaged” a police van which had been parked near to St George’s Hall, including attempting to tip the vehicle over. A video which was later posted on TikTok showed the 29-year-old, of Kelso Road in Kensington, beside the open driver’s window and setting a seatbelt on fire before smoke was seen billowing from the cab.
CCTV footage captured him thereafter “remaining at the scene” and “sitting casually on the fountain outside the Walker Art Gallery watching the police van”, which was written off as a result of damage caused during the incident. He then filmed the scenes on his mobile phone as he left the area.
Geiran was however arrested after being “easily identified by his backpack, clothing and tattoos”, with lighters being seized from him upon his detention. Under interview, he told detectives that he had attended the protests alone as he “wanted to show his support for the bereaved families”.
Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, added: “He stated that he saw the van and heard shouts of ‘burn the van’. He said he was told to burn a book under the seat. He didn’t, but set fire to the seatbelt.
“He stated that he felt under pressure and that he did not believe his actions had caused the damage. He stated that he had not gone out to act violently and denied any negative thoughts on immigration or political issues.”
Geiran admitted violent disorder and arson. He was locked up for 30 months at the crown court on Wednesday, August 7.
Jordan Davies
Jordan Davies (Image: Merseyside Police)
Balaclava clad Jordan Davies brandished a knife near to the scene of a vigil for the victims of the Southport knife attacks then claimed that his daughter had been “stabbed up”. Just over 24 hours on from the fatal stabbings, children and families fled in terror after Jordan Davies was spotted carrying a flick knife a mere matter of minutes away from the scene.
One terrified dad even asked for his family to be locked inside a shop as the incident unfolded. Following his arrest, the mindless thug maintained that he had found the weapon while urinating near to a Tesco Express store after downing cans of cider and said he was intending to hand the item in to the police.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, August 9, that the “Southport community came together for a vigil” at 6pm on Tuesday, July 30, following the “tragedy” the previous day. Davies, of Portland Street in the town, was then seen in possession of the weapon a “short distance” away on Eastbank Street, near to the Wellington pub and a branch of KFC, at around 6.45pm.
Mr Taylor described how members of the public “ran and screamed” after a woman was heard to shout “he’s got a knife”. One witness, Michael Hayes, had been laying flowers at the scene with his partner, kids and friends and was forced to “push them into the nearby Baltic Supermarket for safety”.
Another, Claire Oldham, meanwhile saw Davies “approaching other males with the blade out”. The 32-year-old was also said to have pulled down a balaclava over his face during the altercation.
Police officers subsequently found him “hiding behind a pillar” near to a snooker hall on Princes Street. While he initially “denied having anything on him”, the knife was then discovered inside a bag which he had been wearing around his neck.
Davies then claimed he had “simply picked the bag up” and was in the area “for a peaceful protest”. He added that “his daughter had been stabbed up and he had been assaulted”.
Footage taken from a PC’s body worn camera was played to the court, and captured him saying: “I’ve got the bag off the floor, that’s it. I’ve got nothing on me.”
When told why he was being detained, Davies replied: “Cos of yesterday and I look a bit foreign? Are you kidding me? I understand what’s gone on, my daughter’s been stabbed. That’s not my bag. I’ve just picked the bag up.
“How’ve I got a lock knife on my f***ing person? I’ve just picked the bag up. My daughter’s been stabbed up. How’ve I got a knife on me? I just picked the bag up off the floor.”
Under interview following his arrest, Davies stated that he had earlier consumed “three to four ciders” at home and “picked up the pouch” while urinating near to a Tesco Express store “with the intention of placing it in an amnesty or taking it to a police station”. He added that he was only “seeking to do a good act”.
Davies admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place and breaching a suspended sentence order. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and wearing short dark hair, he nodded as he was jailed for two years.
A previous 16-week suspended sentence which was previously imposed upon him in June was also activated in full and ordered to run consecutively to this term, leading to a total sentence of two years and 16 weeks. Davies was meanwhile handed a serious violence reduction order, which will commence upon his release and last for two years thereafter, with forfeiture and destruction of the knife being ordered.
Dylan Carey
Dylan Carey (Image: Merseyside Police)
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday, August 12, that Carey was captured on CCTV mobile phone and body worn camera footage throwing items including a tin of paint and a bottle at officers, as well as kicking out at police vans. One PC later recognised him at Southport Station in the company of his girlfriend and dad from videos which had been circulated on X, formerly Twitter.
When spoken to, the 26-year-old “accepted he had been present but denied involvement”. But Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, described how he was then arrested at his home address on Castle Hill Road in Hindley, Wigan, on August 5.
Under interview, he “said he had travelled to lay some flowers and light a candle with his pregnant girlfriend” and then decided to attend the “peaceful protest” after seeing it advertised on a Facebook post. But, while there, he claimed he “grew angrier and began to throw items himself”.
Carey has no previous convictions. Colin Buckle, defending, told the court: “His intention was not to travel to Southport with criminal intent. He became involved by his own hand, he was not forced. The mood began to change, others began to behave in this way and he joined in. He cannot explain why. Their intention was to go in respect of what they believed to be a peaceful vigil. Things turned from that. Of course, he involved himself.
“The impact on him of a potentially lengthy custodial sentence is that that sentence will be exacted upon him in respect of the loss of his liberty, of course, but moreover due to the fact that, if your honour returns him to custody, he will miss the birth of his child.
“The couple have suffered from two miscarriages. The child they are expecting has complications. It is an uncertain time. He has been a rock to her. Of course, she has lost him by his own hand and his behaviour.
Carey, who was seen blowing kisses to his supporters in the public gallery during the hearing, admitted violent disorder. Wearing a white shirt and black tie in the dock, he was jailed for 18 months as his partner sat in tears with her head in her hands.
Philip Prescott
Philip Prescott (Image: Merseyside Police)
Philip Prescott, of Sefton Street in Southport, was seen on CCTV and video footage captured by a police helicopter taking items out of a bin and hurling them towards police officers before “others followed suit”. The 38-year-old then “dragged another wheelie bin” towards a cordon formed by PCs before removing further objects and throwing them.
He subsequently kicked the wall of a residential property and climbed into the garden before running towards officers in possession of a brick, which he “launched towards” them. Prescott thereafter returned to the damaged wall once more and threw further bricks, including at the window of a police van.
Following his arrest on Lord Street in the town on August 5, he gave a prepared statement under interview in which he “said he had been drinking and was very upset by the death of the three children”. He then “heard there was something happening near to St Luke’s and went to see what was happening” and, although he could not recall his actions due to being under the influence of alcohol, stated that he was “ashamed by what he did and was sorry”.
Prescott admitted violent disorder. He gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells after receiving 28 months in prison on Tuesday, August 13.
Tony Hazlett
Tony Hazlett (Image: Merseyside Police)
Tony Hazlett was captured on CCTV throwing two missiles in the direction of the police. When officers went to the 46-year-old’s home on Bank Road in Bootle on August 7, he was described as being “very drunk” and resisted arrest in a violent struggle. He later told police: “I’m sorry. I just did it because everyone was doing it.”
Hazlett explained that he had travelled by train to Southport with friends and accepted he threw “two pieces of slate” before leaving shortly after. The dad-of-six admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 28 months on Thursday, August 15.
Curtis Faure
Curtis Faure (Image: Merseyside Police)
Curtis Faure was captured in a single photograph “leaning back with a brick in his hand, about to throw it” on the Strand. The 19-year-old, of Thomas Lane in Broadgreen, handed himself in at Marsh Lane Police Station on the afternoon of August 8 after this image was circulated in the media by Merseyside Police.
He stated under interview that he “intended to go to Gravity Max when he heard about a riot on the Dock Road and wanted to see what was going on”. Faure told detectives that he had been present for up to half an hour and “picked up a single brick and threw it at police officers”, but said that the missile had not connected.
The teen added that he “could not provide an explanation why he behaved in that way” and maintained that his actions were not racially motivated, his parents originally being from South Africa. He has no previous convictions.
Faure admitted violent disorder. He was jailed for a year on Thursday, August 15.
George Clements
George Clements (Image: Merseyside Police)
Clements was captured on mobile phone footage near to a shop on Church Street which had been targeted by louts. The 18-year-old – of Egerton Street in New Brighton, Wirral – was shown with a brown scarf covering his face and “aggressively approaching” an older male with grey hair who was carrying a shopping bag.
He then turned his attention to a “male with an olive skin tone”, hitting out at his hand before being ushered away by another man. The teen however “broke free” and confronted the same victim again, kicking him to the area of his hip in what was said to have been a “racially motivated” attack.
Clements thereafter “gestured towards his penis” and “made a masturbation gesture”. He and another man then ran towards the older complainant, sparking other members of the public to intervene.
The thugs were then seen running away as sirens were heard in the background of the video. Clements was identified after this footage – which showed a child in a wheelchair in the vicinity on the violence – was shared on social media, leading to his arrest at his home address on August 9.
Julian Nutter, defending, told the court: “He did not go into town to participate in these unfortunate events. He went for a meal and became drunk. Things kicked off. He got drawn in, being the young fool he is, and acted in the reprehensible manner he did. He is not part of the looting. What we can see is disorderly behaviour.”
Clements admitted affray and breaching a suspended sentence order. He was nodded and smiled after he was jailed for two years on Thursday, August 15, then waved to his supporters in the public gallery as he was led down to the cells.
Ellis Wharton
Ellis Wharton (Image: Merseyside Police)
Brothers Adam and Ellis Wharton, both of Selwyn Street in Kirkdale, admitted burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library. Mr Taylor told Liverpool Crown Court: “At about 2am, officers were alerted by the National Police Air Service that persons had entered that library.
“PC [Thomas] Nielsen entered the library and saw Ellis Wharton in possession of a computer monitor. He was told to put it down and he did. He was told he would be arrested. Once secured, he said ‘I’m sorry, I’ve been blackmailed by my brother to do it and made a stupid decision. I’m sorry’.”
Adam Wharton was then detained on nearby Dunluce Street, having been circulated as wanted after “acting as a lookout”. The 28-year-old was found in possession of a balaclava at this time while also “sweating profusely”.
Ellis Wharton, 22, told detectives under interview that his brother had “knocked on his door asking him to go out with him” with the “indication that they would go looting”. Mr Taylor added: “Adam, he said, kept a lookout while he entered. The plan was to take monitors to sell. He denied any violence or disorder and simply stated that they joined the group to loot.”
Adam Wharton was jailed for 20 months on Thursday, August 8. Ellis Wharton, who also pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker, was imprisoned for 11 months.
Paul Daintith
Paul Daintith (Image: Merseyside Police)
Paul Daintith, of Fraser Street in Liverpool city centre, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public after he was spotted by police officers on East Street in Southport walking from a bush “at a quickening pace”. When stopped, he claimed that he had “just found a craft knife” and lifted his top up to PCs to show them the weapon within his waistband.
Following his arrest, Daintith stated that “he was a smackhead who picks everything up”. He was jailed for eight months on Friday, August 16.
Joshua Jones
Joshua Jones (Image: Merseyside Police)
A “football hooligan” claimed to have attended a three-mile charity walk in memory of the victims of the Southport stabbings before “things got out of hand” and he repeatedly hurled missiles towards police officers as violent scenes unfolded. Joshua Jones, of St Marks Road in Chester, was captured on video footage with his face covered by a scarf as he threw a series of objects towards PCs.
Mr Taylor, appearing for the prosecution, described how the 31-year-old also “moved forward with the surging crowd” and filmed the events on his mobile phone, having been “present from the start” and thereafter “front and centre”. Merseyside Police subsequently seized two samurai swords from his home when they attended in order to arrest him on the afternoon of August 12.
Under interview, he “stated that he went to Southport to attend the vigil” and “referenced taking part in a three-mile charity walk to support the murdered children”. Jones declined to watch any of the CCTV and said he “couldn’t remember anything” due to his undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD and autism.
However, he “acknowledged that things got out of hand”. Of the weapons discovered in his property, he added that the items had “been in the family for years” and said they “never left the house”.
Jones has a total of 15 previous convictions for 26 offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, entering the playing area at a football match, breaching a football banning order, possession of a banned fighting dog, theft and criminal damage. Judge Neil Flewitt KC compared his record to that of a “football hooligan who appears to enjoy disorder in large groups”.
He was also handed a 26-week imprisonment suspended for 18 months by magistrates in March this year for assaulting an emergency services worker after pushing a police officer “with force” and “pushing his thumb into a constable’s eye” during a domestic altercation. Charles Lander, defending, told the court: “He is totally ashamed of his actions.
“He could not bear to watch the video. He is embarrassed, particularly at how he has let down the families of the deceased and injured children, the wider community and also his own family.
“His partner has stood by him and is particularly tearful in court today. Once again, he is going to be apart from her for his own stupid actions. He maintains that he went there for lawful reasons but stupidly got involved.”
The judge said of this: “I have enormous difficultly accepting that from a man who is prone to violence and hooliganism. There is a very strong inference here that he went to Southport to join in the disorder.”
Mr Lander continued: “My instructions are that he did not. The three-mile walk was his intention. Ultimately, I do not seek to minimise his behaviour. The camera speaks for itself.
“Clearly, the defendant has suffered significant tragedy in the last few years. His brother died tragically from carbon monoxide poisoning, his father also died as a result of an unfortunate incident and his mother passed away last year.”
Jones, who previously worked as the manager of a gym in Spain, admitted violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and breaching a suspended sentence order. His partner sat in tears in the public gallery as he was jailed for 38 months.
Sentencing, Judge Flewitt said: “Given your previous convictions, in particular your history of football hooliganism, I view with some scepticism the suggestion that you travelled to Southport to take part in a vigil. The fact that you so willingly again took part in violence towards the police causes me to doubt your expressions of remorse.”
The courts are continuing to hand jail terms to those involved in recent unrest
Dozens more people have been sent to jail this week for taking part in disorder that spread across the UK earlier this month, after the deaths of three young girls in Southport.
Prosecutors have charged over 520 people following the recent disorder, with the CPS saying they are ‘working around the clock’ with police to ‘deliver swift justice.’ Since the start of August, at least 117 people have been sent to jail for their involvement in the riots.
Over the last week, thugs, including two brothers, have been jailed for throwing bricks and wheelie bins at police responders, assault and chanting racist abuse.
One man took a sledgehammer to cars at a garage belonging to a foreign national, while the terrified owner cowered inside with his family. Another used a large piece of concrete to smash the window of a police vehicle with an officer inside fearing for his life.
The majority of charges so far have been for violent disorder, which carries a maximum jail sentence of five years. Sentences can range from anything from a community order to increasingly longer spells in prison up to the maximum.
Here are some of the people put behind bars for their part in the riots last week.
Dean Groenewald, Sunderland (two years and two months)
Dean Groenewald, 32, was filmed throwing a paving stone towards the police (Image: PA)
A man who threw a stone at police after getting “carried away” during riots in Sunderland has been jailed for more than two years. Dean Groenewald, 32, was jailed for 26 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday after admitting one count of violent disorder at a previous hearing.
The court heard that Groenewald was filmed throwing the paving stone at Keel Square during a riot that broke out following a protest in Sunderland city centre on August 2.
Claire Anderson, in mitigation, said that while her client threw the missile in the direction of the police, it had gone over their heads. “He got carried away in the moment, and for some inexplicable reason, he picked up that item that was on the floor and he threw it in the general direction of the police,” she said.
Ms Anderson said her formerly unemployed client had found work while on remand at HMP Hull. “In the short time that he has been on remand in Hull he has managed to get a job as a helper on the servery,” she said. “He hopes that he will be able to find alternative employment in custody, depending upon the circumstances and prison he ultimately ends up being sent to. Because, obviously, my lord knows the conditions in custody are exceptionally difficult at the moment.”
Niven Matthewman, Rotherham (two years and eight months)
Niven Matthewman, 19, threw a chair at police during unrest in Rotherham (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
Niven Matthewman, 19, threw a chair at police and yelled “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for taking part in violent disorder on August 4 in Rotherham.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC described Matthewman as part of an “ignorant mob” who participated in racist disorder, and said the incident was “extremely frightening for anyone who was there”.
The court heard how 58 police officers were injured as a result of the incident, alongside three police dogs and a police horse.
Judge Richardson told Matthewman: “I cannot imagine why someone aged 19 years with no previous convictions would wish to get themselves in this and you must be punished.”
The judge said Matthewman would be detained in a young offenders’ institution and be subject to a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.
Donna Conniff, Hartlepool (two years)
Donna Conniff, 40, was caught on camera throwing bricks at police (Image: Cleveland Police)
A mum-of-six threw a brick at police officers during a violent protest in Hartlepool. Donna Conniff has been jailed for two years as a judge branded her actions “truly disgraceful”.
The 40-year-old was identified from CCTV and video footage of a protest in Murray Street on the evening of July 31, in which she was seen hurling a brick and a rock towards a line of police officers. She was arrested on August 13.
Conniff, of Alford Court in Hartlepool, dressed all in black and wearing sunglasses, was also seen handing a brick to a juvenile who threw it towards police, and was part of a crowd of people who surged forwards at officers and was seen joining in with cheers as missiles were thrown.
Martin Scarborough, defending Conniff, told Teesside Crown Court on Monday that she had come across the protest, which was advertised on social media, “by chance” at around 6pm.
Judge Francis Laird KC accepted that Conniff, who earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was remorseful but said a custodial sentence was the correct course of action. He said: “Your behaviour and the behaviour of others around you was truly disgraceful.”
She was told she must serve up to one half of her 24-month sentence in custody before being released on licence. As she was led out of the dock, Conniff shouted “love you” to family members in the public gallery.
David Notley, London (one year and eight months)
David Notley, 67, was jailed for 20 months at Inner London Crown Court (Image: Met Police)
A 67-year-old man was locked up for 20 months after chanting “You’re not English anymore” at police officers during a demonstration in Whitehall in London. David Notley, of Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forest, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and causing religiously aggravated distress.
Alex Agbamu, prosecuting, said that “members and supporters of far-right organisations” took part in the protest on July 31. He said Notley made his way to the front of the crowd, confronted police in a “fighting pose” surging back and forth and joined in the chant “You’re not English anymore” and “Who the f*** is Allah?”.
He helped push another demonstrator into a police officer which “precipitated a physical confrontation involving the police (and) demonstrators”, the prosecutor said, and then remained at the front of the crowd.
Defending himself, he told the court that he got “swept up” in the demonstration and was not violent towards police officers.
Judge Freya Newbery told the court that Notley was a “career burglar and thief” who was jailed for 20 years in 2009 for drug smuggling. He had been released on licence but was recalled to prison for breaching his licence due to his involvement in the protest.
Lynden Parker, Manchester (two years and two months)
Lynden Parker, 26, launched a vape at a hotel housing asylum seekers (Image: GMP)
A tyre-fitter admitted violent disorder after throwing an e-cigarette at a hotel for asylum seekers in Manchester. Lynden Parker, 26, has been jailed for 26 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder following trouble at the hotel in Newton Heath.
During the disorder on July 31, bricks and glass bottles were thrown at the hotel and a mob of people surrounded and attacked a passing bus with ethnic minority passengers aboard, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Passing sentence Judge Patrick Field KC, told Parker: “You appear to have been motivated by deeply unpleasant, ignorant and possibly extremist racist views and such a mindset.
“By your presence as part of a mob and throwing that missile, you were encouraging and spurring on others to behave in a similar way.
“People like you who involve themselves and participate in such violence, bringing terror and disorder into this city, must expect severe consequences by way of severe custodial sentences.”
David Engleby, Paul Dryhurst and Luke Summerfield, Southport (up to two years and four months)
David Engleby, Paul Dryhurst and Luke Summerfield were all jailed for throwing missiles at police in Southport (Image: Merseyside Police)
Three men were jailed for throwing missiles at police officers outside a mosque in Southport.
David Engleby, 29, of Scarisbrick New Road, Southport, gave a thumbs up to the judge after he was jailed for two years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court for violent disorder.
Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You joined a large and aggressive mob on St Luke’s Road. You can be seen to be part of the group chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah’. You then pick up an item, a brick, throw it at police and then throw a second missile at police.”
Self-employed joiner Paul Dryhurst, 33, of Gale Road in Litherland, was sentenced to two years for violent disorder after the court heard he was recognised on footage by a police officer who had gone to school with him.
Sentencing him, the judge said: “You can be seen to pick up some item, throw it at police before seeming to smile in satisfaction then taking up a position to film the disorder.”
Luke Summerfield, 33, of Mansfield Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, was jailed for two years and two months after he was seen on footage among the crowd, picking up an item and throwing it towards police.
Eve Salter, defending, said video also showed him trying to stop other members of the crowd from kicking a journalist who was on the floor.
Stuart Randall and William Riley, Hull (three years and one year and six months)
Stuart Randall and William Riley were involved in the riots in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)
Two men have been locked up for violent disorder that unfolded in Hull on August 3.
Father-of-three Stuart Randall took a sledgehammer to cars at a garage belonging to a foreign national while the terrified owner cowered inside with his family. The 55-year-old has been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to two counts of racially aggravated criminal damage, violent disorder, criminal damage to two shops, burglary of the O2 store and Lush, and possession of cannabis.
Hull Crown Court heard how Randall danced in front of a police line while waving a riot shield and smashed the front windows of two shops during a day of “racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” in the city. He also smashed the glass of a BMW that had contained three Romanian men who were forced out of their vehicle by an angry mob, although the court heard he was not directly involved in that incident.
Footage played in court showed Randall picking up a bar stool and using it to smash the front of a Specsavers shop, before doing the same with a fire extinguisher at Holland & Barrett. He was also seen on CCTV looting Lush and the O2 store.
William Riley, 64, punched a police officer in the jaw and handed out eggs for people to throw. He has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.
The court heard he was prominent at the front of a group who were confronting a police line, acting aggressively and throwing missiles. He went on to punch an officer to the side of the jaw as he was trying to detain him.
The court heard the conviction was “a massive fall from grace” for Riley, who is involved with veterans’ charities who had attended the city centre that day to lay a wreath for the victims of the Southport stabbing.
Graham Brookes, Manchester (one year and eight months)
Graham Brookes, 42, was caught on camera throwing a pint of cider towards police (Image: GMP)
A family man who has never been in trouble with police before was locked up for 20 months for violent disorder amid mob violence in Manchester. A “legion of testimonials” praising Graham Brookes, 42, was handed to Judge Patrick Field KC, passing sentence on the defendant at Manchester Crown Court.
Brookes was caught on camera throwing a pint of cider towards police before later aiming a kick at one officer during widespread disorder in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on August 3.
Judge Field asked Brookes’ barrister: “How is it that a man with his background and character, a family man with a good work record, should behave the way I have witnessed? Like a hooligan? A man about who so many good things have been and could be said, could find himself involved in this sort of brutish, nasty, public violence. It’s a question, I suppose, there’s no reasonable answer to.”
Tim Storey KC, defending, replied: “It is the conundrum at the heart of the whole case for Graham Brookes. His life is characterised by stability. Community minded. Graham Brookes is not a racist man.”
Ethan Miles, Blackpool (two years and six months)
Ethan Miles, 21, was jailed for 30 months for violent disorder in Blackpool (Image: Lancashire Constabulary)
A man who threw objects at crowds of people during a violent protest in Blackpool has been jailed for 30 months. Ethan Miles, 21, of Haig Road, hurled chairs, bottles, cans and other objects towards the crowds – which included police officers – during disorder in the town on August 3.
Lancashire Police said Miles, who was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to violent disorder, also removed the wing mirror of a police van before throwing it at the vehicle, which had officers inside.
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said Miles “acted without care towards those around him, choosing to be violent and cause disorder in the town”.
David Jordan, Tamworth (two years and four months)
David Jordan took part in a protest outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth (Image: Staffordshire Police)
David Jordan was jailed for 28 months after throwing a missile and shouting racist remarks during a protest in Tamworth. The 59-year-old was charged with violent disorder after video footage showed him throwing an object towards a line of police in front of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Staffordshire town, where migrants were being housed, on August 4.
The defendant, of Tamworth Road, could also be heard shouting “f****** paedos” towards the hotel and telling police officers to “f*** off”.
Sentencing him at Stafford Crown Court, Judge John Edwards told Jordan: “You rightly hung your head in shame as we watched the video. I have looked with care at the footage, you are front and centre of this baying mob for an hour-and-a-half.”
Liam Gray, Rotherham (three years)
Liam Gray, 20, pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A 20-year-old man was caught on video repeatedly charging at a line of police with riot shields outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Manufacturing engineer Liam Gray was arrested following rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on August 4.
Gray, of Randerson Drive, Kilnhurst, South Yorkshire, was filmed at the front of a large mob charging at least three times at the officers and trying to grab their shields. He was also filmed among the crowd outside the hotel at a number of different points during the afternoon as police attempted to disperse them.
Sentencing him to three years in jail, Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “You have brought shame on yourself. You have brought shame on your mother and father. You have brought shame on the town in which you live.”
Ed Moss, defending, said: “He’s made the biggest error of the 20 years he’s been on this planet and he’s now going to pay the price.” Mr Moss said his client wanted to make it clear “there isn’t racist bone in his body”, to which the judge responded: “If that’s true, what on earth was he doing?”
Bradley McCarthy, Bristol (one year and eight months)
Bradley McCarthy was involved in clashes with counter-protesters and police (Image: Avon and Somerset Constabulary)
Bradley McCarthy shouted in a police dog’s face during rioting in Bristol and called opponents “p*** c****”. The 34-year-old has been jailed for 20 months after joining an anti-immigration march on August 3.
A court heard how McCarthy was involved in clashes with counter-protesters and police in Castle Park and on Bristol Bridge. McCarthy was caught on video “threatening” opponents and shouting at the police, including at a police dog. Emily Evans, prosecuting, said the defendant played a “prominent role” in the incident.
Bristol Crown Court heard McCarthy was arrested for breach of the peace and later let go by officers but remained in the area. “Instead of taking that as a sign to go home, he can later be seen shouting at police officers and also shouting in a police dog’s face,” Ms Evans told the court.
At a previous hearing McCarthy, of Knowle, Bristol, admitted violent disorder. The dad-of-three has convictions for violence, weapons offences and public order but had not been in trouble for several years.
Robyn Rowlands, defending, said McCarthy had recently tried to help a person at the roadside who was dying after trying to take their own life, which had an “exceptional effect” on his mental health.
Alfie Conway, Rotherham (two years and three months)
Alfie Conway, 19, pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A 19-year-old man threw missiles at police protecting a hotel housing asylum seekers. Apprentice bricklayer Alfie Conway was jailed for two years and three months at Sheffield Crown Court after admitting violent disorder.
Conway, of Park Avenue, South Kirby, was arrested after one officer standing behind a riot shield outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, near Rotherham, recognised him and shouted that he would be going to prison.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how the defendant had a troubled past but had worked hard to secure an apprenticeship.
The judge said: “What on earth possessed him to truly throw all of that away to hurl whatever it was at police officers – one of whom knew exactly who he was?”
Judge Richardson told Conway: “You have been exceptionally foolish”, and expressed his sympathy for Conway’s grandparents, who were watching from the public gallery.
Craig Timbrell, Bristol (two years and six months)
Craig Timbrell was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Bristol Crown Court (Image: Avon and Somerset Constabulary)
A single father who took part in violent clashes with the police during an anti-immigration protest in Bristol has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Craig Timbrell, 38, threw concrete blocks, bricks and bottles at the police near to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.
Bristol Crown Court heard Timbrell attended the demonstration in Bristol city centre on August 3. Meabh McGee, prosecuting, said Timbrell was filmed throwing objects at the police during clashes near the Mercure Hotel in the Redcliffe area of the city.
She said: “There was targeting of locations known to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees. The situation escalated to the point where there was significant disorder and violence used towards officers, property and opposing groups.”
The court heard he has convictions for violence, public order offences and knife crime, but had not been in trouble since 2015.
Emily Evans, defending Timbrell, of Hartcliffe, Bristol, said: “He couldn’t really explain it (why he threw missiles at the police) other than to say his mental health was at a decline at that point in time.”
She said he had recently stopped caring for his children due to his declining mental health and had looked after them following the death of his partner from cancer. She added: “He very much wants to have the children back in his care. That of course is jeopardised by the way he behaved on August 3.”
Passing sentence, Judge Julian Lambert told Timbrell: “This was no peaceful protest and was never going to be so. It was a violent, ignorant, drink fuelled defiance of the law. The violence that I saw later from you was intense and shocking. It was also a potential catalyst for yet worse violence.”
Lee Crisp, Rotherham (three years and four months)
Lee Crisp, 42, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Crown Court (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
Lee Crisp shouted abuse at police guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and cheered as others threw missiles at officers. The 42-year-old has been jailed for three years and four months.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how Crisp, of Mount Road, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, was even abusing police after his arrest outside the Holiday Inn Express, telling one officer: “You’re protecting the bastards who are raping our kids.”
Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said the defendant shouted at one officer: “Take your f****** uniform off, I’ll knock the f*** out of you” and “you f****** horrible little c***”. And he shouted at someone recording the violence: “Sex offending bastards. BBC bastards”.
Ms Hollis said factory worker Crisp celebrated as the group he was with threw missiles at the officers.
When Crisp appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, his solicitor told a district judge that his client was a victim of mistaken identity as he took his elderly mother for a Sunday lunch in the pub next to the hotel. But Crisp did not maintain this defence when he appeared at crown court this week.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said the “high octane” abuse dished out by Crisp encouraged the crowd, adding: “You were leading the way in all of this, in four separate incidents”.
Joel Bishop, Hartlepool (one year and six months)
Joel Bishop threw rocks and a plank of wood during widespread disorder in Hartlepool (Image: Cleveland Police)
Ex-soldier Joel Bishop threw stones at the police during widespread disorder in Hartlepool. He was identified later from the T-shirt he was wearing which had his name on the back, a court heard.
Bishop, a qualified tank driver who served with the Royal Logistic Corps, admitted a charge of violent disorder and two counts of possessing offensive weapons, namely rocks and a plank of wood. Video footage shown in court showed the father-of-two joining in attacks on police officers in riot gear, three times throwing stones or a plank at them and referring to them as “black c****”. The prosecution accepted this was not a racist comment, but an insult directed at police.
Judge Francis Laird KC, at Teesside Crown Court, sentenced the 27-year-old to 18 months in prison, having accepted his genuine remorse and that the hard-working “family man” had an “exemplary” Army record.
Bishop, of Tweed Walk, Hartlepool, has no previous convictions or convictions and acted completely out of character that night, said Rod Hunt, defending. The defendant joined the Army at 18, boxed for his regiment, took part in winter combat exercises, and had no disciplinary issues during his five years in uniform.
Passing sentence, Judge Laird said Bishop’s behaviour that night was “disgraceful”. He told him: “Joel Bishop, you chose to take part in an organised and large scale act of public disorder. In that disorder, police officers were attacked and there was significant damage to property.”
Bishop’s partner and mother wept in the public gallery as he was jailed for 18 months. The judge reduced that from 27 months on account of his earlier guilty plea.
David Chadwick, Rotherham (two years and eight months)
David Chadwick, 36, was jailed for two years and eight months (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A 36-year-old man who threw wood at police guarding a hotel in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months. David Chadwick, of Furlong Road, Barnsley, was part of a “violent mob” who attacked a “vastly outnumbered” group of police officers who were pinned to the wall of the Holiday Inn Express, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.
The judge heard how Chadwick was also present during an incident in which a police van was violently rocked, with officers and a dog inside. The court heard how Chadwick was filmed twice pouring the contents of a can through the van window onto the police driver, who was trying to move out of danger.
Judge Richardson said: “Each and every one of them (the police) were doing their duty and it must have been very frightening for them.”
Chadwick said in a letter to the court: “I have let myself down, I have let my family-and-friends down, and I’ve let my whole community down.”
Daniel Stewart and Andrew Hook, Blackpool (two years and three months)
Andrew Hook (left) and Daniel Stewart (right) took part in violent disorder in Blackpool (Image: Lancashire Police)
Two men were jailed for 27 months each after taking part in violent disorder in Blackpool on August 3. Daniel Stewart, 28, of Ashton Road, and Andrew Hook, 32, of Coronation Street, were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.
Stewart had been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating after covering his face before shouting at police officers, who he also threw a can towards and pushed. He later assaulted a security guard at a shopping centre, the Lancashire Police said.
Hook had been charged with violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after kicking and punching a security guard during disorder in the town.
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said: “Hook and Stewart chose to have a detrimental impact on the law-abiding citizens of our Lancashire communities. They were violent towards my officers, and members of the public. Their behaviour was disgraceful and will absolutely not be tolerated in Lancashire.”
Jake Lowther, Southport (one year and six months)
Jake Lowther, 20, will spend his jail term in a young offenders institute (Image: Merseyside Police)
A 20-year-old man who threw stones at police during disorder in Southport has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institute. Jake Lowther, of Abrams Fold, Banks, nodded to his parents as his mother called “love you” after he was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC said Lowther was seen on footage as part of the crowd, gesticulating towards officers while others threw missiles. He said at one point Lowther picked up two pieces of brick or stone from a broken wall and threw them towards police, with one hitting a riot shield.
Stuart Mills, defending, said Lowther had ADHD and had been “swept up in the moment”. The judge said: “There’s no evidence your condition in anyway reduces your culpability.”
Peter Beard, Rotherham (two years and six months)
Peter Beard, 43, was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A former solider who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Father-of-three Peter Beard, 43, of Becknoll Road, Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob confronting officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on August 4.
The court heard how Beard’s aggression toward the officers came at a critical time in the rioting after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and the judge said he was “astonished” that the defendant had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper.
Luke Moran and Nicholas Sinclair, Southport (up to three years)
Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of father-of-three Luke Moran, 38, who was sentenced to three years after trying to smash a police van window. Issue date: Wednesday August 21, 2024. PA Photo.
A father-of-three who left a police officer fearing for his life as he tried to smash a van window has been jailed for three years. Liverpool Crown Court heard Luke Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm after his image was published following violence which broke out in Southport on July 30.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran was seen on footage with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver’s side window of a police vehicle with an officer inside.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC told the court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far.”
The court was played bodyworn footage from Pc James Hayes in which Moran was holding a chunk of masonry, which he hit the vehicle with three times.
Judge Flewitt said: “Unsurprisingly, at that stage Pc Hayes feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked.”
In the footage, the constable could be heard telling colleagues over his radio: “I’m going to have to bail, my window’s about to go through.”
Nicholas Sinclair, 38, was seen in footage throwing bricks at officers (Image: Merseyside Police)
Moran’s friend and co-defendant Nicholas Sinclair, of Bury Road, Birkdale, was jailed for two years and four months after admitting violent disorder. The 38-year-old, a manager at a scaffolding firm, was seen in footage from the disorder on July 30 shouting towards police and throwing bricks.
Simon Christie, defending both Sinclair Moran, said they had been “swept up in an incident they neither understood or took the time to consider”.
Daniel Carrigan, Southport (two years and eight months)
Daniel Carrigan, 41, was jailed for two years and eight months (Image: Merseyside Police)
Cocaine addict Daniel Carrigan was put behind bars for two years and eight months after admitting violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport.
The 41-year-old, of Preston Grove, Liverpool, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, where footage was played which showed him throwing items at a police van and kicking the side of the vehicle.
Charles Lander, defending, said Carrigan had taken cocaine on the day of the incident and said his addiction to the drug was “out of control”. He added: “He didn’t go there to cause violence, he got carried away with the mob.”
The court heard he had been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault in 2016 after telling a traffic warden he should “return back to his own country”.
Thomas Whitehead, Southport (one year and eight months)
Thomas Whitehead, 53, was arrested on a plane at Manchester Airport (Image: Merseyside Police)
Thomas Whitehead was arrested on a plane at Manchester Airport after taking part in a protest in Southport and has now been jailed for one year and eight months for violent disorder.
The 53-year-old was part of a large group which gathered outside a mosque in the Merseyside town on July 30, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said his picture was circulated and he was arrested on August 13 at Manchester Airport on board a plane.
The gardener, of Pool Street, Southport, told police he had been to the pub when he noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening, but he accepted throwing items.
Paul Wood, defending, said Whitehead had three daughters and was a “family man”.
Declan Dixon, Hartlepool (one year and six months)
(Image: PA)
A 22-year-old electrician who threw a brick at police during disorder in Hartlepool was jailed for 18 months. Declan Dixon, of Salisbury Avenue, Hindley, was seen on video footage picking up a missile and throwing it at police in riot gear on the night of July 31 after a protest grew violent.
When he was arrested 11 days later, sitting in a BMW, he was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said Dixon was working on Teesside at the time and he told police he was present that night “out of curiosity”.
He admitted violent disorder and possessing cocaine and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 18 months, saying: “Your behaviour, and the behaviour of others around you, was disgraceful.”
Gary Wood, defending, said Dixon was immature, had no previous convictions and had now lost his £1,600-a-month apprenticeship. The judge accepted the defendant came from a “loving family” and added: “It is very difficult to understand how you came to be involved with a violent mob.”
Perrie Fisher, Aldershot (two years and five months)
Perrie Fisher, 29, was seen riding a bike wearing an England flag (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police)
A 29-year-old man was seen riding a children’s scooter before throwing it at a hotel housing asylum seekers and telling a police officer to f*** off. Scaffolder Perrie Fisher was also seen riding a bike wearing an England flag before throwing it in a skip, and throwing bicycle wheels at the walls of Potters International Hotel as part of a crowd of around 200 people in Aldershot on July 31.
The Farnham man was arrested at Gatwick airport on return from his Dubai holiday on August 19 after he did not appear at magistrates’ court following the incident. He was brought before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and a bail act offence.
Winchester Crown Court later heard how 85 families were living in the hotel and there were people inside the accommodation in “great fear” of what was going to happen to them. Around £1,900 worth of damage was also caused from the disorder after a small group of protesters got into the hotel car park at around 6.40pm and more and more joined them.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC described how Fisher threw the children’s scooter “with force” at the hotel and there was a loud bang and cheering from the crowd as a result. The bikes had been provided for the hotel residents to use, the court heard.
Prosecutor Tim Devlin said a large crowd started shouting ‘illegals out,’ ‘we want our community back’ and ‘f*** off’. He added the police were “massively outnumbered” and the situation was “rapidly getting out of hand”.
In mitigation the court heard the act was “out of character” for the new dad who felt remorse for what he had done. Sentencing Fisher, Judge Lickley said the occupants of the hotel were the “real target” of Fisher’s actions which were fuelled by hostility over race and religion.
Fisher was sentenced to 29 months’ imprisonment for both offences. He will be released from prison after serving half of his sentence and will spend the rest on licence, the judge said.
Jordan Murray, David Buckle and Jermaine Glover, Hull (up to three years)
(Left to right) Jordan Murray, David Buckle and Jermaine Glover were involved in riots in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)
Three men were jailed for offences including arson and violent disorder after rioting in Hull.
Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, Hull, who looted a Greggs outlet and threw a metal bench at police was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, possession of class B drugs and two counts of burglary.
Hull Crown Court heard he played a “significant role in the large-scale disorder” and was at the front of a group confronting police in the city centre on August 3 and “behaving in an aggressive manner towards officers throughout”.
David Buckle, 39, of Southgate Way, Hull, was part of a crowd that pursued a BMW carrying three Romanian men, although the court heard he was not one of the mob that forced them out of the vehicle. Buckle was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
The court heard he was prominent in a group of people confronting a protective police line outside a hotel known to house asylum seekers, with prosecutor Jeremy Evans saying he was “aggressive and abusive, throwing missiles at officers”.
Jermaine Glover, 23, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, who took part in an arson attack at a garage owned by a foreign national, was jailed for two years after admitting violent disorder and arson. The court heard he barged into a police line and “behaved in an aggressive manner towards officers, shouting, gesturing, helping others push bins at officers and throwing missiles”.
Tommy Callaghan, Southport (two years and two months)
Tommy Callaghan, 32, was jailed for two years and two months (Image: Merseyside Police)
A gas engineer who joined in racist chants and threw objects at police in Southport has been jailed for two years and two months. Tommy Callaghan, 32, of Platt Bridge, Wigan, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse at Liverpool Crown Court, where footage was played showing him wearing a fluorescent yellow T-shirt and sunglasses in a “large and aggressive mob” on July 30.
Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You were one of those who was chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah’, with your left arm and fist raised as you chanted and gesticulated in rhythm. You were then part of the mob who surged forward at the police line. Then you picked up part of a brick, threw it at police, then picked up a second missile even before the first had landed.”
Peter White, defending, said Callaghan had put his business, through which he employed three people, and the mortgaged home he shared with his partner and nine-month-old daughter at risk. He said Callaghan had travelled to Southport, about 25 miles from his home, to attend a vigil for the victims of the stabbing in the town.
He did not have a reason for why he had consumed alcohol once there and said he had no racially or religiously prejudiced beliefs but had “gone along with the mob”.
James Martin, Scarborough (two years and two months)
James Martin, 18, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated harassment based on race or religion, possessing an article with the intent to cause property damage, and obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
A teenager who marched outside an Islamic centre with firelighters in his pocket while waving an England flag has been jailed for two years and two months. A court heard James Martin, 18, was “going to lose everything because of one night of stupid behaviour” on August 8 in Scarborough.
Martin was in a group of four who marched outside the Islamic centre on Roscoe Street while people were inside praying just after 10pm. York Crown Court heard he had been swearing and shouted words to the effect of “what a stupid time to pray, have they got nothing better to be doing?” and “let’s be proud of our flag”.
When he was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace, police found firelighters in his pocket. Martin, who has no previous convictions, will lose an apprenticeship in bricklaying as a result, the court heard.
Peter Lynch, Rotherham (two years and eight months)
Peter Lynch (Image: PA)
A 61-year-old grandfather who was filmed repeatedly screaming abuse at riot police who were trying to push him back from a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Peter Lynch was at the front of a mob which gathered outside the Manvers hotel on August 4, shouting “scum” and “child killers” at police, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Thursday. He was pictured holding a placard asserting the corruption of MPs, judges, the media and the police.
But body-worn camera footage was shown to the court of him screaming “you are protecting people who are killing our kids and raping them” at police with riot shields and “scum”.
Lynch – who suffers from diabetes, thyroid issues, angina and has recently had a heart attack – was then filmed repeatedly challenging officers as they tried to push him back with shields, screaming “protect my children” repeatedly and yelling: “We are on the streets now to protect our kids”.
Lynch, of Burman Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.
Matthew Putson, Middlesbrough (two years and eight months)
Matthew Putson, 27, was one of the “main instigators” of violence during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough, a court heard (Image: Cleveland Police)
A 27-year-old was one of the “main instigators” of violence during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough, Teesside Crown Court heard. Matthew Putson, of Palmer Street, was with a group who were making racial slurs before he kicked a police officer but he was dragged away by others before he could be arrested during trouble in the town on August 4.
With his face disguised, he was later seen to have climbed up some traffic lights before he picked up bottles, bricks and stones and threw them at police over a period of around an hour.
Putson admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 32 months, saying: “The public are rightfully outraged by this behaviour on our streets.”
Michael Campbell, Hull (one year and eight months)
Michael Campbell, 56, admitted violent disorder in Hull city centre on August 3 (Image: Humberside Police)
A grandfather was jailed for 20 months after he used a bicycle to fend off a police dog during a “hate-fuelled” riot. Michael Campbell, 56, was only in Hull city centre to buy himself a suit for a funeral when he became involved with the violence on August 3, Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court heard.
The ship loading supervisor, of Hull, used his bike as a “makeshift cordon to deflect police officers” and “fend off a police dog”, before the animal bit him on the leg, the court was told.
During the 12 hours of “mob violence”, 11 police officers were injured and huge financial damage was caused when rioters gathered outside the Royal Hotel, Judge John Thackray KC said.
Sentencing Campbell, the judge described him as a “family man” whose behaviour had been “out of character”.
Luke and Paul Sissons, Rotherham (three years)
Paul Sissons was part of a group that violently rocked a police van (Image: PA)
Two brothers who were at the forefront of rioting outside a Rotherham hotel housing more than 200 asylum seekers have each been jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court. Luke and Paul Sissons were involved in a range of violent incidents at the Holiday Inn Express on August 4, including an attack on a police dog van and violent confrontations with riot officers.
Paul Sissons – who is a tunnelling team leader on the HS2 project – was filmed over a period of nearly four hours, first in a mob shouting at police and chanting “Tommy Robinson”. Sissons, of Two Gates Way, Barnsley, was then captured as part of a group that violently rocked a police van with officers and a dog inside, and was later seen throwing missiles at a group of cornered officers.
Body-worn camera footage was also shown to the court on Friday of the 37-year-old angrily kicking and pushing at riot shields as officers tried to push the crowd back.
Luke Sissons has been jailed for three years alongside his brother (Image: PA)
His brother Luke Sissons, 34, of The Green View, Shafton, Barnsley, was also part of the mob rocking the van and footage was shown of him at the front of group goading officers with riot shields who were pinned against the hotel wall.
Daniel Mennell, Jackie Miller and Jarrod Farrah, Hull (up to two years and three months)
(Left to right) Daniel Mennell, Jackie Miller and Jarrod Farrah took part in disorder in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)
Three people who took part in disorder in Hull earlier this month have been jailed.
Daniel Mennell, 36, was handed a 27-month jail term at Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court after he threw missiles at police. He was also seen taking a selfie with a stolen police riot shield during the violence on August 3.
The drunk labourer, who was prominent at the front of the riot, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
“Hostile” Jackie Miller, 57, was jailed for eight months for a racially aggravated public order offence after she unleashed a “diatribe towards police officers”. In the presence of her 15-year-old daughter, Miller told officers: “A P*** lad killed two, three girls and yet you’re having a go at us. They don’t look after their own.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Miller she had used “truly disgraceful words”.
Jarrod Farrah, 32, was jailed for two years and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for violent disorder after he behaved aggressively towards police by “lunging” at them. He told his family in the public gallery “love you all” as he was led out of the dock to start his sentence.
Judge Thackray said it had been “depressing and horrifying” to watch footage of the disorder.
Rory Allington-Mott, Southport (three years and three months)
Rory Allington-Mott, 34, smiled as he took part in the unrest in Southport (Image: PA)
A man who threw objects including bricks and a wheelie bin at police during disorder has been jailed for three years and three months. Rory Allington-Mott, 34, of Newport in Shropshire, was shown in footage released by police appearing to smile as he took part in the unrest in Southport on July 30.
He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to violent disorder, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. In the video, he was seen to throw bricks, a wheelie bin, a plastic box and what appeared to be a picture frame towards police vans and officers.
A hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this week was told Allington-Mott had been convicted in April last year of religiously or racially aggravated criminal damage and served 24 weeks after a suspended sentence was activated.
Louis McGrother, Middlesborough (one year and eight months)
Louis McGrother, 22, admitted violent disorder (Image: Cleveland Police)
A “well-balanced young man” who kicked out at a police officer and set fire to a wheelie bin during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough has been jailed for 20 months. Louis McGrother, 22, of South View Terrace, Middlesbrough, was filmed joining in attacks on police in the town on August 4, Teesside Crown Court heard.
When footage of his offending was published by the media, he handed himself in to police, bringing with him the clothes he wore that day, said Rachel Masters, prosecuting.
Joel Wootten, defending, said McGrother went along to the protest at the Cenotaph intending only to join a peaceful protest.
McGrother admitted a charge of violent disorder and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 20 months. The judge said he had read references from his employer, partner and mother which described “a well-balanced young man who takes his family responsibilities seriously, and who has a good work ethic”.
David Hann, Sunderland (eight months)
David Hann, 58, admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence (Image: Northumbria Police)
A former member of the English Defence League (EDL) who shouted “dirty Muslims” outside a mosque, along with other abuse, during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for eight months.
David Hann, 58, of Ryhope Street South, Sunderland, admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for his part in the trouble on August 2.
Judge Paul Sloan KC, sentencing, said Hann, was present at various locations that night and was seen gesticulating towards police officers and hurling racist abuse outside a mosque.
The judge accepted the unemployed defendant had learning difficulties, suffered from depression, did not have contact with his children and was no longer a member of the EDL. But Hann continued to hold racist and Islamophobic views, the judge said.
Jack Fowler, Sunderland (two years)
Jack Fowler, 24, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Northumbria Police)
A man holding a flag of St George who confronted police during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for two years. Jack Fowler, 24, of Northbourne Street, Newcastle, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for his part in the trouble on August 2.
Judge Paul Sloan KC, sentencing, said Fowler, who was drunk and masked that night, was seen at one point running away when police horses were used to disperse the “mob”.
At another location, he beckoned others forward towards police lines, and soon after beer kegs were thrown at officers, the judge said. The court heard that Fowler said: “This is going to be all summer, everywhere.”
The judge sentenced the unemployed defendant to two years in jail, having heard he was in a relationship and has a baby daughter.
Hull Crown Court has been busy as people involved in the disorder on August 3 are sentenced for their actions
These are the people who have so far been locked up for a total of more than 50 years for their roles in the “ugly mob violence” and “mass stupidity” that brought horrific scenes to Hull city centre.
In the three weeks since the shameful disturbances on Saturday, August 3, dozens of suspects have been arrested, with many charged and more than 20 have so far been sentenced for taking part in the disorder.
During the riot, a police officer was permanently scarred during angry clashes with officers, thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to streets and shops – some of which were also raided and looted – and fires were started.
On Tuesday, Humberside Police Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: “We are still investigating the disorder and violence that hit the streets of Hull City Centre earlier this month and we are continuing to pursue those who were involved and brought chaos to our city that night.”
These are the offenders who have so far been locked up for their roles in the disorder after appearing at Hull Crown Court:
David Wilkinson – jailed for six years
David Wilkinson (Image: Humberside Police)
David Wilkinson, 48, of Lorraine Street, Hull, admitted violent disorder, attempted arson and causing racially aggravated criminal damage.
The court heard that Wilkinson was at the front of a group that confronted police outside the Royal Hotel, in Ferensway. He threw missiles towards police and spat at officers. He held a weapon that looked like a martial arts nunchuck.
Wilkinson forcefully pushed two large wheelie bins towards police. He was seen trying to set fire to a bin on top of a pile of tyres at a garage in the Milky Way area and he was part of a group that attacked a car containing three European men.
John Honey – jailed for four years and eight months
John Honey (Image: Humberside Police/PA)
John Honey, 25, off Park Grove, off Princes Avenue, west Hull, admitted six offences, including three of burglary that featured a break-in at the Lush shop in Jameson Street, involving stealing bath and cosmetic products, as well as raids on the nearby Shoezone and O2 shops, both with intent to steal.
The troublemaker and looter boasted he was “famous” – and asked a probation officer if she wanted his autograph – after he was repeatedly pictured wearing a distinctive St George’s Cross shirt “all over social media” at numerous places around Hull city centre during the disorder.
Honey admitted his key role in the large-scale disturbance, including an incident in which a BMW car was badly damaged along with criminal damage to nine vehicles, including a Ford C-Max, a Renault Clio, a VW Passat, a Jeep, a Seat Leon, a BMW 520d, an Audi A4, a Chevrolet and a Skoda Octavia.
Steven Love – jailed for three years and four months
Steven Love (Image: Humberside Police)
Steven Love, 41, of Middleton Street, off Spring Bank, Hull, admitted violent disorder.
Love was at the front of the group in Ferensway and he played a prominent role in the violence. He threw missiles and picked up an empty wheelie bin and hurled it at the line of police.
Love was bitten by a police dog and he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Stuart Randall – jailed for three years
Stuart Randall (Image: Humberside Police)
Stuart Randall, 55, of Jervis Road, off Holderness Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder, burglary at the O2 and Lush stores, two offences of causing racially aggravated criminal damage and another of causing criminal damage at Specsavers and Holland and Barrett.
Randall was “front and central” throughout in the violence and public disorder. He waved a police shield and behaved erratically in Ferensway and he pushed a burning bin towards police in Jameson Street.
At a garage in the Milky Way area, he used a sledgehammer to smash vehicles. The owner and his family barricaded themselves inside the garage until managing to escape to a nearby garden.
In Jameson Street, Randall used a bar stool ten times to damage a window at Specsavers, causing it to shatter, and he used a fire extinguisher to smash glass at Holland and Barrett. Randall was prominent in the looting of O2 and Lush.
Connor Whiteley – jailed for three years
Connor Whiteley (Image: Humberside Police)
Connor Whiteley, 26, of Park Row, off Park Street, Hull, admitted violent disorder and assaulting a police officer as an emergency worker.
The father-of-three was part of the “utterly deplorable, disgusting public disorder” that was shown in shocking video pictures to the court that were “depressing and horrifying” to watch.
He kicked a policewoman to the ground during a nasty confrontation and he was also part of throwing missiles at police and the looting of cars that were parked at a garage where nine vehicles were damaged.
David Buckle – jailed for three years
David Buckle (Image: Humberside Police)
David Buckle, 39, of Southgate Way, off Saltshouse Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder.
Buckle was prominent at the front of a group outside the Royal Hotel, and he was “draped in an England flag and a camouflage balaclava”. He was aggressive and abusive and he was shouting and gesturing towards police and throwing missiles.
He was arrested on the day of the disorder and bailed but he later handed himself in.
Ben Chapman – sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years and eight months
Ben Chapman (Image: Humberside Police)
Ben Chapman, 20, of Stockleigh Close, Bransholme, Hull, admitted violent disorder. He was in breach of a community order imposed in June for offences including assaulting police. The sentence included a consecutive four months for assaulting a police officer as part of breaching the community order.
The court heard that Chapman threw “multiple” missiles, including a bottle and a can, at police, as well as a sandbag, which “did not make it very far” and hit a fence. He was “right in the thick of it” through his behaviour and he was “needling” police officers.
Chapman had a branch in his hand, trying to use it to hit the police, and he unsuccessfully tried with others to remove a bin from the ground by kicking and pulling it. He was masked at times.
Christopher Douglas – jailed for two years and eight months
Christopher Douglas (Image: Humberside Police)
Christopher Douglas, 35, of Avenues Court, off Victoria Avenue, west Hull, admitted violent disorder and possessing cannabis.
Douglas was “front and central” in the trouble and was seen throwing missiles at the police, pushing officers, shouting abuse and being aggressive. He was “grandstanding” by holding a police riot shield and “triumphantly waving it above his head, to the obvious delight of the crowd”.
Douglas threw a bag of rubbish at the line of police and he was one of two or three people at the centre of the crowd aggressively throwing objects and being abusive.
Andrew Stewart – jailed for two-and-a-half years
Andrew Stewart (Image: Humberside Police)
Andrew Stewart, 37, of Anlaby Road, west Hull, admitted violent disorder. He threw bottles and stones, some of which hit the protective shields of police officers, and he was running towards them and back. He pushed a large burning bin towards police near the hotel but there was no evidence that he set the bin alight.
Stewart played a part in directing the looting of shops such as the O2 phone shop, where an estimated £40,000 worth of phones were stolen.
Brandon Kirkwood – sent to a young offenders’ institution for two-and-a-half years
Brandon Kirkwood (Image: Humberside Police)
Brandon Kirkwood, 20, of Downing Grove, off Preston Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder. He was “front and central” in the disorder, shouted abuse, threw multiple objects towards police and pushed a large blue rubbish container in Ferensway near the Royal Hotel.
Daniel Mennell – jailed for two years and three months
Daniel Mennell (Image: Humberside Police)
Daniel Mennell, 36, of Belmont Street, Hull, admitted violent disorder. He played a prominent role in the disturbance outside the Royal Hotel and he picked up rocks and stones from shrubbery opposite the hotel before throwing them towards police. He joined a line of other people and took a selfie picture at the hotel.
John Nunan – jailed for two years
John Nunan, 36, of Hermes Close, east Hull, admitted violent disorder. He played a prominent role throughout and aggressively confronted police near Queen Victoria Square and in Ferensway. He threw multiple missiles, including a glass bottle, towards police and pushed a large wheelie bin towards them.
Travis Whitelock – jailed for two years
Travis Whitelock (Image: Humberside Police)
Travis Whitelock , 23, of Brisbane Street, off Hessle Road, west Hull, admitted violent disorder. He played a prominent role throughout and pushed a street litter bin onto a burning pile of rubbish on the ground. He threw missiles and pushed a large wheelie bin – with its contents on fire – towards police. He kicked a moving police van.
Jermaine Glover – jailed for two years
Jermaine Glover (Image: Humberside Police)
Jermaine Glover, 23, of Cranswick Grove, off Marfleet Lane, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and arson. He was aggressive towards police outside the Royal Hotel and he was shouting and gesturing and helping others to push bins into a police cordon. He threw missiles, including a bottle, and he was rushing towards and barging police and encouraging others.
Outside a garage in the Milky Way area, a fire had already started but Glover put a pallet onto a pile and he also put tyres on top of a cordon of tyres created by those involved in the disorder.
Jordan Murray – jailed for two years
Jordan Murray (Image: Humberside Police)
Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, off Holderness Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder, two offences of burglary at the O2 and Greggs stores, and another offence of possessing cannabis.
He was “persistently” in various locations during the trouble and he was prominent at the front of the group in Jameson Street, running at police with a long metal bench, which he threw towards the line of police.
He behaved aggressively to police throughout and he was present when a garage was targeted in the Milky Way area. Those at the garage, including children, barricaded themselves inside and were in fear for their safety.
Jarrod Farrah – jailed for two years
Jarrod Farrah (Image: Humberside Police)
Jarrod Farrah, 32, of Portobello Street, Hull, admitted violent disorder. He was outside the Royal Hotel and he lunged towards police in an aggressive way in Queen Victoria Square. He was with others who threw missiles but he did not do so himself and he was at the front of the group. He gestured and shouted and moved towards the police and lunged towards them.
Joshua Hobman, 33, of Wenlock Street, west Hull, admitted violent disorder.
t disorder. He threw missiles in Ferensway, including a drinks can, and he punched out at police. He was “in the thick of it” during disturbances and he was also near shops that had been looted.
Hobman had been “milling about” for much of the time but he did throw a can of alcohol, which he bitterly regretted, the court heard.
Michael Campbell – jailed for 20 months
Michael Campbell (Image: Humberside Police)
Michael Campbell, 56, of Icelandic Close, Hull, admitted violent disorder. He was at the front of a group of people confronting police outside the Royal Hotel. He was aggressive towards police and was shouting and gesturing.
He used a bicycle as a “barricade” and to fend off a police dog. He was bitten by the dog on his right lower leg.
William Riley – jailed for 18 months
William Riley (Image: Humberside Police)
William Riley , 64, of St Aidan’s Way, off Preston Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder and assaulting a police officer as an emergency worker. He was part of a crowd acting aggressively and he threw eggs as well as handing them out to others, who were also being aggressive. He shouted abuse to police.
Riley punched another man in the face area and, when he was detained at a multistorey car park in George Street, he moved towards a police officer, and shouted “What do you want?”
Riley rushed at him “in a fighting stance” before punching him in the jaw, causing no injury. He was “brought under control” shortly afterwards. He later claimed that he was acting in self-defence.
Corey Holloway – sent to a young offenders’ institution for 18 months
Corey Holloway (Image: Humberside Police)
Corey Holloway , 20, of Belmont Street, Scunthorpe, admitted violent disorder. He played a prominent role confronting police in Ferensway and he was violent and aggressive towards officers. He armed himself with a traffic cone and threw it towards police. He took hold of a rubbish container and pushed it towards police.
Jackie Miller – jailed for eight months
Jackie Miller (Image: Humberside Police)
Jackie Miller, 57, of South Garth, Little Weighton, near Skidby, admitted using racially aggravated threatening words or behaviour. The mother-of-three and grandmother became the first woman to be locked up at Hull Crown Court after the disturbances in the city centre.
She shouted repeated racist comments about “P***s” because she was angry that her car window had been broken during a “truly shocking” confrontation. She got “carried away” because she was annoyed that police were seemingly doing nothing about the damage to the car, the court heard.
She clapped towards the crowd and said: “This is your police force, everybody.” She asked the police why they did not go and “pepper spray a P***”. She told them: “You are just as bad as the P***s. You don’t look after your own.” She told the crowd: “They don’t look after their own.”