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Boy, 16, stole £15,000 worth of vapes during Merseyside violence

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August 10, 2024
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He was traced by police due to his ‘distinctive clothing’

A youth who stole vapes worth £15,000 appeared in court today in relation to violent disturbances across Merseyside.

Liverpool Magistrates Court heard that the 16 year-old , who cannot be identified due to legal restrictions, was caught on CCTV breaking a convenience store window with an electric scooter to snatch the vapes and was traced by his distinctive clothing.

The youngster, hailing from Stockbridge Village, was the first to stand before the court this morning. He was charged with violent disorder, two counts of burglary at non-residential properties; criminal damage to a police vehicle and assaulting an emergency worker, reports the Liverpool Echo.

He was amongst the four people who appeared before District Judge Healey on Saturday; the number of men and boys charged in connection to the violent disorder has now reached 25. It comes as violent rioting spread through the streets of Merseyside following the deaths of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, who were killed in the tragic Southport stabbings last month.

The court heard how the 16-year-old was seen on CCTV amongst a group who pulled a police officer off his bike before attacking him. He was also seen jumping on top of a police vehicle where the windscreen was then smashed. He was tracked on CCTV by his distinctive clothing and was seen running along Paradise Street before picking up an electric scooter to smash a window and taking items from SandS News in the city centre. He is seen leaving with a handful of vapes. The boy was later arrested.

Today, he pleaded guilty to all charges. The court has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report and he will appear for sentence on September 17. He was also granted conditional bail and told he was not allowed to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcodes.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, of Cousins Lane, Rufford, was charged with encouraging an offence of murder; encouraging an either way offence namely violent disorder and possession of a bladed article, also appeared in the dock this morning from police custody.

Judge Healey told McIntyre that the case would need to be dealt with at Crown Court due to the seriousness of all charges. He will appear before Liverpool Crown Court on August 15 and no plea for bail was made today.

George Clements, 18, of Egerton Street, New Brighton, also appeared in Magistrates Court this morning, charged with affray. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard how on August 3 Clements was caught on footage fronting up members of the public wearing a face mask. In the footage he can be seen to kick out and throw things at members of the public who were clearly in distress. Judge Healey sent the case to Crown Court and he will appear for sentence on August 15. Clements was not granted bail.

Paul Daintith, of Fraser Street, Liverpool, appeared in court after he was found with a knife inside the area of a Section 60 order, which police put in place following the violent disorders across Merseyside over the last two weeks. The order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, give officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.

The court heard how the defendant was spotted by officers on East Street, in Southport, walking from the bushes at a quickening pace. The police officers spoke to Dantith where he told them he had just found a craft knife. He then proceeded to lift up his top and showed them the knife tucked into his waistband. Dantith was arrested. It was heard in court how during a police interview following his arrest, when asked why he had the knife, in his words “he was a smackhead who picks everything up.”

The case has been committed to Crown Court for sentence, because the defendant has previous conviction for a similar offence. He will appear at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on August 15. Judge Healey denied bail and remanded Dantith in custody – the defendant turned his back to the judge as he told him he was denied bail – he shouted “w*****” as he was taken down into custody.

Manchester Evening News

Boy, 17, admits BMW attack during Hull riot

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August 10, 2024
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A 17-year-old boy from Hull has admitted attacking and damaging a BMW with three Romanian men inside.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, also admitted violent disorder, burgling three shops and damaging another vehicle after trouble flared in the city centre last Saturday.

He appeared at Hull Magistrates Court on Friday and is due to be sentenced before a youth court in the same venue on 28 August.

The boy was wielding a spanner and the three men were left “terrified”, prosecutor Emily Robinson told the court.

The men escaped from the car but were chased.

District Judge Mark Daley was told the youth was part of a large mob who also put tyres in cars and set them alight outside businesses to the rear of Spring Bank.

A family, including children, had to retreat to a garage and lock themselves inside, Ms Robinson said.

The 17-year-old, who did not cover his face during the incident, was also seen outside a hotel in Ferensway, where rioters clashed with police.

He then ran down Jameson Street and shoved an industrial-sized wheelie bin into a line of officers, the court heard.

“He was actively involved throwing large missiles,” said Ms Robinson.

He was later caught on CCTV looting three stores – Shoezone, O2 and Lush – on Jameson Street.
Rioter threw cone

The boy was one of a number of people who appeared at the court in connection with the violent disorder.

A 15-year-old boy from the city admitted violent disorder and burglary and will be sentenced at the youth court on 4 September.

The prosecution said he had thrown objects at police officers and taken part in looting at Lush.

Meanwhile, Corey Holloway, 20, of Belmont Street, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being accused of throwing objects, including a traffic cone, at police and pushing an officer with force.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court on 14 August.
BBC News

Thug in tears in court as three Sunderland rioters admit violent disorder after far-right protests

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August 9, 2024
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Three Sunderland rioters have admitted violent disorder and will be sentenced later this month

Dean Groenewald, Paul Williams and Liam Doeg pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: Northumbria Police)

Three Sunderland rioters have appeared at court to admit their involvement in violent disorder that broke out at a far-right protest.

Liam Doeg, 33, Paul Williams, 45, and Dean Groenewald, 32, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, committed on August 2 in Sunderland city centre. Doeg also pleaded guilty to burglary – he raided a vape shop and made off with products.

The trio appeared separately at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning and all were remanded into custody until their sentencing hearings at Newcastle Crown Court. They are set to appear at that court on Thursday, August 15.

The court heard that all three men were involved in the far-right riot, which broke out following the Southport stabbings. There was a large police presence from early evening as the protest flared into violent scenes of unrest and disorder. A car was overturned and set alight and riot police were attacked during the widely condemned chaos.

Doeg, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, was seen throwing bricks, stones, a wheelie bin and a “large pub umbrella” during the disorder. He was then seen smashing the windows and doors of a vape shop before stealing products.

Lucy Todd, prosecuting, said: “He is seen on various CCTV clips of being among a large group of people throwing items at police officers. It was [a part of] widespread disorder.” Police body-worn footage was shown in court which captured Doeg throwing objects at police as people cheered in the background. Ms Todd said he remained at the scene throughout and serious “fear and disruption was caused”.

Gerry Armstrong, defending, did not make any application for bail. District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded Doeg into custody as he has a “history of committing offences on bail.”

The second defendant, Paul Williams, of Esdale, Sunderland, was seen threatening police officers, shouting and pushing them during the disorder. Ms Todd said: “He used a can of lager and a piece of a fence as weapons”. Police body-worn footage, which was shown in court, captured him shouting “You want some?” at police before taking his top off.

Gerry Armstrong defending said that some form of mitigation will be put forward at a later hearing that will give some explanation as to why he got involved. Williams was in tears throughout the hearing and was remanded.

Dean Groenewald, 32, of Ryhope, Sunderland, was the third and final defendant to appear at the morning hearing and pleaded guilty to violent disorder. The court heard he threw bricks during the August 2 riot and was captured on body-worn footage. He had 30 previous convictions for 55 offences, including six failing to surrender offences. He also had affray offences on his record.

Ben Hurst defending said he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and “wishes to apologise to the police and general public for his behaviour. He added: “He had been caught up in what has gone on. He made a terrible decision and understands he is going nowhere but prison.”

Newcastle Chronicle

Man who used bricks, wheelie bin and pub umbrella against officers in Sunderland pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Two men charged with violent disorder after the shocking scenes in Sunderland have pleaded guilty as they appeared in court.

Liam Doeg, 33, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and one count of burglary.

Lucy Potts, prosecuting, said he had been seen throwing ‘stones, bricks, a wheelie bin and a large pub umbrella’, and had been part of a group pushing a pub table towards officers.

He had also been observed entering a vape shop and leaving with a number of items.

There were no defence representations.

Williams pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Ms Todd said he had made repeated threats against officers and used a can of lager, and later a piece of fence, as a weapon.

He was shouting “Come on, then, let’s ****ing go.”

Gerry Armstrong, defending, said there would be an explanation for his behaviour, but it would ‘in no way amount to a defence’.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on August 15.

Sunderland Echo

Ellis Wharton brought to court

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August 5, 2024
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The 22-year-old is charged with burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library and assaulting an emergency services worker, namely PC Thomas Nielsen.

He is brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit with a black eye and short mousey hair. Wharton speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He pleads guilty to burglary and not guilty to the assault. Mr Sanderson-Kirk says that the defendant was found inside the library carrying the computer screen by PC Nielson, who told him: “You’re getting locked up.”

Judge Boswell sends the case to the crown court on August 29.

Wharton, who has no previous convictions, is remanded into custody until this date.

Liverpool Echo

Burglar who targeted Spellow Library during riots says ‘nice one lad’ as he’s led to cells

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August 5, 2024
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Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard convicted burglar Adam Wharton was “attacked in the cells” before his case was called on

A man who burgled Spellow Library wearing a balaclava during the weekend’s riots said “nice one lad” as he was led to the cells. Adam Wharton, 28 and of Selwyn Street in Walton, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning, Monday, August 5 after he was charged with burglary in relation to serious disorder on Saturday night.

Wharton, who was brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, pleaded guilty to the charge put before him. His case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on August 29.

Before the proceedings started, the court heard from Wharton’s solicitor Isaac Mirza who said the defendant had been “attacked in the cells” prior to appearing. Mr Mirza said the defendant had “a bloodied nose and an injury to his eye”.

Wharton’s charge comes in relation to the violent disorder in Liverpool and around the country over the weekend. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after people were seen throwing bricks and debris at officers.

Scenes later spilled onto County Road in Walton, with rioters causing major damage in what police described as “serious violent disorder”. Chaos, violence and destruction followed as looters targeted businesses, bins were used to start fires and the Spellow Library & Community Hub was set alight.

Prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court: “Officers were dealing with large scale violent disorder. Officers dealt with arson, throwing bricks and glass. A police helicopter observed a male entering Spellow Hub Library, which had previously been burnt out and looted.”

The prosecutor said one man was found inside the library carrying a computer monitor. He added: “Outside, the police found this defendant. He was wearing a balaclava and appeared to be profusely sweating. The crown says this defendant was acting as a lookout.”

Mr Sanderson-Kirk told the court the offence carries a starting point of one year with a range of a community order to two years in prison. The court hears that Wharton has 16 previous convictions for 26 offences, including robbery and burglary.

His solicitor Mr Mirza said there would be no application for bail. The defendant put his hands up and said: “Am I allowed to speak?” District Judge Timothy Boswell told Mr Mirza to speak to his client, before addressing the defendant.

He said: “Mr Wharton, I am committing your case for sentence to the crown court. It will be up to the crown court to decide what the right sentence is.” Following a query regarding the preparation of a pre-sentence report, the defendant said “nice one lad” as he was led to the cells.
Liverpool Echo

Burglar who raided Newcastle shop caught after leaving blood at the scene of the crime

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December 6, 2020
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Stuart Spence, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at the Londis store at Kenton Park Shopping Centre

A bungling burglar who raided a Kenton store was caught after his blood was found at the scene.

Stuart Spence broke into the Londis store at Kenton Park Shopping Centre in the early hours of April 6 and stole cash and cigarettes to the value of £1,200

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old forced his way in by breaking bars and a window at the rear of the premises.

Paul Cross, prosecuting, said a cash machine was attacked, money and cigarettes were taken while the shop’s CCTV hard drive was also stolen.

A resident of an upstairs flat saw a man leaving the scene on a bike at around 3.46am and phoned the police.

But he inadvertently left traces of his blood at the scene on the cash machine and a nearby fridge which were later found by investigating officers.

The swabs were sent off for forensic analysis and were later linked back to Spence, who was arrested by police.

He made no reply during an interview but later pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.

The court heard how the shop owner was left in fear of another attack on his premises which had cost him around £3,000 – including £1,720 of his personal savings to secure the store.

Spence, who has 32 past convictions for 71 offences, was on bail at the time of the offence for dangerous driving which he was later sentenced to a nine-month jail term suspended for two years in July.

David Comb, defending, said: “He appears to have had a near death experience in July in a car accident.

“He has reconciled with a former girlfriend and he has indicated his life has achieved a greater stability than it has in the past 12 months.”

Judge Edward Bindloss spared Spence, of Muswell Hill, Newcastle, jail by giving him a prison sentence of nine months, suspended for 18 months.

However, he warned him that he was on his last chance.

He said: “You are at risk of a lot of custodial time. The key thing is to stay out of trouble.

“If you breach this order you face 18 months on top of whatever else.”

Chronicle Live

This burglar threatened to take two young children hostage during raid at the home of his ex

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June 14, 2020
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Daniel Allan had threatened to burn the family out of their home while drunk then smashed his way in during a Sunday morning raid in Sunderland

A burglar threatened to take two young children hostage after smashing his way into his ex partner’s home.

Daniel Allan had bombarded his former girlfriend with around 50 missed calls early on a Sunday morning while drunk.

When she eventually answered, he was abusive and told her he was coming round to put her windows out and said he would “burn all of them out of the house”.

Allan then turned up at the woman’s home in Sunderland and when she wouldn’t let him in, he broke her bathroom window and climbed in.

The thug then took the woman’s phone off her as she alerted police and made threats to take two young children hostage.

Now the 32-year-old, who has 110 previous convictions, has been jailed for 12 months at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said it was early on Sunday January 15 that Allan started hounding his 38-year-old ex.

He told the court: “They had been in a relationship for some time and she describes the relationship as sometimes volatile and not without difficulties.

“There are no allegations of him being violent but he did threaten violence and that brought the relationship to an end.

“Early on the morning of Sunday January 15 she was at home in Sunderland when she received, from 5.30am, a number of attempts to contact her by phone.

“She knew, owing to the time of day, there was every likelihood he would be drunk.

“Almost 50 calls were received from him before she answered the phone.”

The court heard Allan was ranting at the woman and calling her names but the abuse then took a more sinister tone.

Mr Wardlaw said: “He said he was coming round to her address to put her windows out and would burn all of them out of the address.

“She ignored further calls and contacted the police because of her concerns.

“The defendant did attend her address and tried to get in.

“She refused access and he then went round to the rear of the address, broke a window and climbed in.

“She was on the phone to the police and he approached her and took the phone from her to prevent the call to the police continuing.

“A young child had woken up and he took hold of the child in his arms before leaving the address. He was drunk at the time.

“He had made threats to take the children hostage.”

Allan, of Ridley Terrace, Hendon, Sunderland, tried to hide from police nearby but was found and arrested.

He pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for 12 months.

Judge Penny Moreland told him: “You threatened to put her windows out and burn the family out of the property.

“You went round to the house and she, quite rightly, refused you entry to the house, so you went to the rear of the house, broke the bathroom window and climbed in.

“She had already contacted the police out of fear about what you might do if you came to the house.

“You took (the young child) in your arms and threatened her that you would take the children hostage.

“I regard the unpleasant and frightening threats you made to her as an aggravating feature of this offence.

“This is a serious offence and there must have been great fear occasioned to the victim and the two children.”

Andrew Walker, defending, said Allan had been a frequent visitor to the house and had lived there some of the time.

He added: “He was distraught at the end of the relationship.

“There was no intention to harm anyone.

“He fears he was spiked in his consumption of alcohol that night. He can’t explain why he behaved as he did.

“This is not a typical house burglary.”

The Chronicle

Burglary gang who targeted 50 homes and hid ill-gotten gains in pillow cases jailed for 16 years

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April 22, 2019
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The Oldham-based gang targeted properties across Lancashire and Cheshire including a 99-year-old woman and a family who were at a funeral

An Oldham-based gang who burgled more than 50 homes across Cheshire and Lancashire have been jailed for more than 16 years.

Peter Clarke, James McMillan and Garry Dunkerley ‘ransacked’ houses over a four-month period and hid their ill-gotten gains inside pillow cases taken from their victims’ beds.

The gang broke in through rear doors and conservatories stealing ‘vast amounts’ of cash and jewellery, with either ‘high monetary or sentimental value’.

Their eldest victim was a 99-year-old woman from Nelson who lost two platinum diamond rings and a half-sovereign gold necklace.

Another family in Fence, Lancashire, had their £12,000 Toyota stolen while they were out at a funeral.

McMillan, 29, of Spring Street, Oldham, Dunkerley, 43, of Heron Street, Oldham and Peter Clarke, 27, of HMP Forest Bank all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary at Burnley Crown Court.

McMillan and Dunkerley were both jailed for six years and Clarke was jailed for four years and eight months.

The court heard how Clarke had previously been sentenced for two years and four months last year for two other house burglaries with 30 others being taken into account.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, told the court how father-of-three Clarke was arrested in December 2013 following a burglary in Alsager.

Subsequent telephone analysis showed Dunkerley, and another man still wanted by police, were in the area at the time and also on other dates ‘corresponding with further burglaries’.

In January 2014 they targeted homes in Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Poynton and Knutsford.

The court heard how, following the arrest of all three men, the ‘telephone jigsaw evidence became complete’ and information was passed to Lancashire Police.

Officers were able to link the gang to 50 burglaries across Lancashire using mobile phone and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) evidence.

Three of the burglaries in November 2013 involved pensioners in their 70s and during one incident in Barrowford, £8,500 of jewellery and £1,500 cash were stolen.

David Farley, defending McMillan, said he couldn’t find any paid work, got into debt using a loan shark and ‘acted out of desperation’.

Vanessa Thomson, defending Clarke, said he needed to pay of ‘drug debts’.

Manchester Evening News

He owes them more than £3,000 – but the courts can’t get this career crook to stop stealing

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November 11, 2018
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Colin Pearson owes over £3,000 to the courts, and stole a month after his last appearance – but was spared jail

Colin Pearson leaves South Tyneside Magistrates Court. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Colin Pearson leaves South Tyneside Magistrates Court. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

A career thief who has had “all forms of punishment” to stop him breaking the law is back on the take.

Colin Pearson targeted Wilko and Poundland on his latest shoplifting spree.

Once banged up for burglary, he owes over £3,000 to the courts – yet none of it has stopped him offending.

“He’s a man who has had all forms of punishment,” admitted his long-term solicitor, Susan Grey.

“There’s not one thing which seems to have deterred him.”

The dad-of-two was given a community order in August in a bid to curb his booze-fuelled theiving.

But a month later he was stealing again.

In blatant view of CCTV, he stole £189 of Duracell batteries – selling them for just £30.

“They are all low-level shop thefts – they are not sophisticated,” added Ms Grey.

“When the money for drink has run out he goes out and steals.”

Alcohol was described as a “demon” in the 38-year-old’s life and the catalyst for most of his offending.

However probation workers claimed Pearson, who pleaded guilty to theft, was finally making progress on a community order which had acted as a “lifeline”.

“It has been a huge success for him,” added his solicitor.

Despite that, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard he was facing another stint behind bars after admitting the Sunderland shop thefts.

But his eight-week jail sentence was suspended for 18 months after a passionate plea from his solicitor.

“[Prison] has always left him coming out with broken community ties,” added Ms Grey.

She said it simply ended in him getting in more trouble, adding: “Any long term hope with this defendant has to be in the community.”

Chronicle Live