Large scale disorder broke out across the country after three young children were killed in Southport

They were days that will live in infamy in Greater Manchester’s history. Division and chaos reigned.

The deaths of three young girls in Southport led to a wave of disorder throughout the UK, and Manchester did not avoid such trouble. Wholly inaccurate claims about the identity and ethnicity of the alleged attacker spread online.

Fuelled by anger and inspired by disinformation, thugs took to the streets intent on causing trouble. Disorder erupted outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Newton Heath, on July 31, after a Facebook post swirled that afternoon.

“Let’s get them out,” it menacingly declared. Missiles were thrown towards the building, a bus was attacked and its driver injured, and asylum seekers, vulnerable individuals seeking help, were terrorised.

The far-right sought to capitalise on the division and called a demonstration for Manchester city centre on Saturday, August 3. The incident soon turned violent. Shocking video footage emerged of a lone black man being attacked by a baying mob.

Thugs then advanced down Mosley Street and stormed a Sainsbury’s store as innocent customers tried to shop. A vape store came under heavy attack, as yobs kicked its windows with a road sign being launched at it.

The following day, the trouble moved to Bolton. Another demonstration had been called by the far-right, with counter-protestors also present. Missiles were thrown as police dealt with mass disorder. Ever since, police have been tracking down and charging rioters.

Over the past three months, dozens of yobs have felt the full force of the law as their cases were speedily brought through the courts. The M.E.N. has extensively covered the ensuing court cases, and have now analysed the sentences handed down since August.

Of those in the dock, 39 were men, six were women and seven were children, the youngest being a 12-year-old boy. Jail sentences totalling more than 80 years have been handed down. The longest single jail sentence was imposed on a ‘violent racist’ for his part in a disgraceful attack in Piccadilly Gardens.

In chronological order from August until this month, here are the 52 rioters who faced justice.

1) James Nelson

Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two months in prison on August 6 and ordered to pay £4,999 compensation at Manchester Magistrates Court.

2) Mathew Edge

Edge, 34, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 12 months in prison on August 13 at Bolton Crown Court.

3) Paul Smith

Smith, 21, of Keynsham Road, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and 10 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

4) Joseph Ley

Ley, 30, of Hardman Street, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years and two months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

5) Oliver Chapman

Chapman, 23, of Duke Street, Radcliffe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

6) Daniel Hanslip

Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and two months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

7) Colin Demulder

Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and eight months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

8) Kane Kelly

Kelly, 24, of Woodford Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and five months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

9) Anthony Livesey

Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and breaching a suspended sentence. Sentenced to four years and two months, comprising of 32 months for the violent disorder, and a further 18 months for being in breach of a suspended sentence, on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

10) Lynden Parker

Parker, 26, of Douglas Street, Salford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

11) Thomas Ward

Ward, 35, of Colliery Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and exposure. Sentenced to 32 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

12) Graham Brookes

Brookes, 42, of Frogmore Avenue, Hyde, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

13) Dane Freeman

Freeman, 25, of Timson Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court

14) Warren Gilchrest

Warren Gilchrest (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Gilchrest, 52, of North Road, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court.

15) Lee Upton

Upton, 54, of Bailey Lane, Wythenshawe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison on August 22 at Manchester Crown Court.

16) Carl Ryan

Ryan, 55, of Collin Avenue, Gorton, Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

17) Mark Bridgeford

Bridgeford, 50, of Canon Street, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

18) Niall Charnock

Charnock, 31, of Edward Street, Farnworth, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 27 at Bolton Crown Court.

19) Lewis Whitworth

Whitworth, 30, of Costabeck Walk, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on August 28 at Manchester Crown Court.

20) Nigel Simpson

Simpson, 57, of Deerfold, Chorley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on August 28 at Bolton Crown Court.

21) Charlie Mott

Mott, 28, of Barton Close, Eccles, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft from a shop and criminal damage. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on September 1 at Manchester Crown Court.

22) Dane Potter

Potter, 39, of Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on September 4 at Bolton Crown Court.

23) Scott Chadwick

Chadwick, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft and violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and six months in prison on September 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

24) Kye McGlade

McGlade, 24, of Oldham Street, Manchester. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft and criminal damage. Sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on September 10 at Manchester Crown Court.

25) 14-year-old boy

Footage has emerged appearing to show a group of demonstrators smashing up a vape shop amid protests in Manchester city centre on Saturday (August 3). (Image: Submitted)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and obstructing a police constable. Sentenced to a ten month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

26) 15-year-old boy

Police responding to a protest in Newton Heath (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and assaulting an emergency worker. Sentenced to a 12 month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

27) 12-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder at Newton Heath on July 31 and Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

28) 16-year-old boy

Riot police in Bolton last Sunday (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. Sentenced to an 18 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

29) Andrew Phillips

Phillips, 28, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.

30) David Green

Green, 41, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.

31) Kemmy Grange

Grange, 20, of Elysian Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and possession of a class B drug. Sentenced to two and a half years in prison on September 14 at Manchester Crown Court.

32) Tracy Pearson

Pearson, 53, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

33) Michelle Jibson

Jibson, 45, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

34) 13-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

35) 14-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

36) Ryan Leckey

Ryan Leckey was jailed for 16 months (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Leckey, 24, of Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

37) Darren Butler

Darren Butler was jailed for 17 months (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Butler, 42, of Cattlin Way, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

38) 17-year-old boy

The boy pleaded guilty to criminal damage and violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to a 12 month intensive youth rehabilitation order on September 19 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

39) Liam Ryan

Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on September 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

40) Nevey Smith

Smith, 21, of West Street, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month community order on September 23 at Manchester Crown Court.

41) Zakaria Sadiq

Sadiq, 21, of Bentinck Street, Farnworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on September 25 at Bolton Crown Court.

42) Thomas Richard

Richard, 56, of Kingsland Close, Miles Platting. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on September 25 at Manchester Crown Court.

43) Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Smith, 42, of Farnborough Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.

44) Lindsay Keenan

Lindsay Keenan (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Keenan, 50, of Glen Grove, Middleton. Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.

45) Steven Miller

Miller, 38, Kennington Avenue, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 15 months in prison on September 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

46) Shaun Holt

Holt, 42, of Oak Road, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on October 3 at Manchester Crown Court.

47) Anthony Whitelegg

Whitelegg, 40, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

48) Aaron Davy

Davy, 18, of Liney Road, Cheadle. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

49) Daylan Burgess

Burgess, 20, of Regent Square, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

50) Laurence Dunkerley

Manchester Crown Court (Image: ABNM Photography)

Dunkerley, 37, of Marlborough Drive, Failsworth, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 7 at Manchester Crown Court.

51) Aaron Johnson

Johnson, 33, of Criterion Street, Stockport, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred in Stockport on August 5. Sentenced to two years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court on October 10.

52) Destiny Waugh

A beauty therapy student turned up to a riot in a yellow dress and bought eggs that were handed out to teenagers and launched ‘as missiles’ towards police during violent disorder in Newton Heath. Destiny Waugh, 19, walked to a Shell garage near to where the scenes of disorder were unfolding, on Oldham Road on July 31 this year, and bought two cartons of six eggs, Manchester Crown Court heard. (Image: GMP)

Waugh, 19, of Risbury Walk, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months at Manchester Crown Court on October 15.

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She turned up to a riot wearing a yellow dress and holding a box of eggs – then ended up in court

Manchester Evening News

The cowards left ashamed after watching their ‘unpleasant, deplorable’ actions back

By virginiagolden

September 12, 2024

Uncategorized

Andrew Phillips and David Green have both been jailed for 31 months

One wore sunglasses and held a half-drunk pint of beer in his hand as he shouted in the faces of police. He had earlier kicked a man as he was down on the ground.

The other stamped and kicked on the leg and ribcage of the same man as officers tried to protect him. Both have now been jailed for over two-and-a-half years for the ‘deplorable’ attack.

Andrew Phillips, 28, and David Green, 41, are the latest rioters to be sentenced for their part in a group attack on a lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens last month.

Disorder and chaos spread across the towns and cities in the UK following the tragic killing of three children in Southport. Misinformation spread online as to the identity of the alleged attacker, leading to a number of protests and violent disorder with missiles thrown at police and racist behaviour.

Duncan Wilcock, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court that during a protest in Manchester city centre, a man was set upon, first by ‘one or two’ men before he fell to the ground. Phillips then kicked the man as he was on the ground, Mr Wilcock said.

“Mr Green was then seen to be stamping on his leg and his ribcage,” he added.

“Two officers bravely came to the rescue of the man before other officers attended. One of the officers lay on top of the man as he was being attacked, in order to protect him.”

“Frankly, it was a cauldron of disorder,” the prosecutor added. The court heard that the black male was arrested ‘for his own protection’ then swiftly de-arrested. The two officers were also injured in the melee, it was said. Both men were identified following an appeal by Greater Manchester Police.

Green was said to have previous convictions for battery and assaulting a police officer; and Phillips had previously been handed a football banning order after getting involved in a ‘football-related’ large-scale disturbance at Great Portland Street station in London.

Representing them both, Laura Broome said both men took responsibility for the ‘utterly appalling’ incident.

“Both ask me to convey their remorse to the court,” she said. Of Green, she said he had ‘struggled with alcohol for a long period of time’ and had been drinking in the city centre at the time.

He began a conversation with a group of males who encouraged him to join them in the protest. He has little recollection of his behaviour,” Ms Broome said.

She added that he felt ‘ashamed and embarrassed’ and has since lost his job after the video was posted online.

For Phillips, she said he was also drinking at the time, and had ‘little recollection’ of the offence. “He describes the shame he feels in watching that footage,” the barrister said.

She said he has been suspended from his job, where he has worked for 11 years, and expects he will be dismissed after the sentencing hearing.

“He feels he has, in his own words, ‘thrown it down the drain,” Ms Broome said on his behalf.

“Because he is the author of his own misfortune,” the sentencing judge replied.

Jailing them both for two years and seven months, Judge Patrick Field KC said Phillips’ behaviour was ‘unpleasant, aggressive and deplorable’. And of Green, he said his actions were ‘cowardly’.

“By your actions, I have no doubt both of you encouraged others to engage in public disorder. You each caused terror and discomfort to the man of the assault and fear and distress to others present,” he added.

Both Phillips, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, and Green, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, were handed criminal behaviour orders banning them from entering certain areas of Manchester city centre for three years. They both pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Shaun Holt, of Oak Road, Stockport, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will be sentenced on October 3.

Manchester Evening News

Tattooed football hooligan in tears as he admits swinging punches during Piccadilly Gardens riot, as more appear in court over unrest

By virginiagolden

August 7, 2024

Uncategorized

Liam Ryan wiped tears from his face as he was led to the cells below

A man who caused terror when he live-streamed an asylum seeker hotel has admitting stirring up racial hatred, as more people accused over the unrest in Greater Manchester appeared in court today (August 7).

Aaron Johnson, 32, was among a second tranche of suspects who appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court this morning following the unrest which took place in Bolton and Manchester city centre over the weekend.

A second man, Liam Ryan, 28, wept as he admitted violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens. Disorder hit towns and cities across the country, including in Greater Manchester, followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport last week.

Incorrect rumours – that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat – spread on social media and appears to have fuelled the unrest.

Aaron Johnson, 32, of Criterion Street, North Reddish, Stockport, pleaded guilty to an offence of distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred, contrary to the Public Order Act when he appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court this morning.

The court heard that on August 5 Johnson attended outside a hotel in Stockport where it is believed that asylum seekers were staying. Members of staff became aware of his presence, and it later became clear that he was live streaming on YouTube.

“Members of staff started to become concerned for the welfare of the asylum seekers. They spoke with the defendant and he became aggressive towards them,” prosecutor Laura Peers told the court.

“He started saying that people staying in the hotels had been throwing bricks at white people, for which there was no evidence.” Johnson became more aggressive towards staff and threatened to ‘smash their face in’.

The police were called and he was arrested. His livestream was obtained by police, in which he was heard to call the people inside the hotel derogatory and racist names, and further racist language towards them, according to the prosecution.

The stream was viewed by millions of people. Ms Peers said this posed a significant danger to those inside the hotel, as the stream was uploaded to Johnson’s YouTube Channel and was viewed millions of times. He has one previous conviction for a public order offence at a football match, the court heard.

David Philpott, mitigating, said: “He knows full well he has done wrong.” The case was adjourned to August 21 at Manchester Crown Court.

District Judge Jane Hamilton said Johnson had ‘no reason’ to attend the hotel.

He said: “You were taking pictures through the window of people who were trying to sleep and also made reference to the children who were murdered in Southport. That had nothing to do with asylum seekers or anybody else.

“The male who did that was born in this country. There was no reason whatsoever for this offence to occur.” Johnson was remanded into custody.

Liam Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Bradford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following an incident on August 3 in Manchester city centre. He swung punches at rivals during the trouble in Piccadilly Gardens and wept throughout his appearance in court.

Ms Peers said Ryan had previous convictions for involving himself in large scale disturbances, particularly at football matches, and was subject to a football banning order. “The defendant lives in Bradford and it is believed he travelled to the city centre with the purpose of taking part in the events,” she said.

“He played an active role in the violent disorder. He was seen swinging a punch towards the male, which did not connect. He then punched him again a number of times making contact whilst the crowd were shouting in the background.”

Mitigating, Mr Philpott said Ryan took full responsibility for his actions.

“He would like to apologise and have the chance to write a letter to the male concerned expressing his regret and remorse,” he said. Mr Philpott added that Ryan, a window fitter, had issues with alcohol.

Remanding Ryan in custody, District Judge Hamilton said: “You are a person who involved themselves in large scale disturbances and this in particular was a large scale disturbance. Not only that, you travelled from Bradford to Manchester, across the Borders, to involve yourself in this offence.

“Bearing in mind this disorder is ongoing, I find you would commit further offences if I granted you bail.”

Ryan wept throughout the hearing, and wiped tears from his face as he was led to the cells below. His case was adjourned until August 14 when he will appear at Manchester Crown Court.

A string of other accused appeared in court and either entered no plea or denied the charges against them.

Shaun Holt, 42, of Oak Road, Cheadle, Stockport, appeared in court charged with violent disorder following an incident on August 3 in the city centre. He did not enter any pleas to the offence.

Prosecutor Laura Peers said that at around 1pm there was a number of large scale disturbances which took place around Piccadilly Gardens. Applying for bail on behalf of Mr Holt, David Philpott, defending, said the delivery driver was also the sole carer for his ill daughter.

District Judge Hamilton remanded Mr Holt into custody. He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

Andrew Phillips, 27, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, appeared in court charged with violent disorder in relation to the trouble in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. He did not enter any plea to the offence.

Applying for bail on behalf of Mr Phillips, Michelle Crossland, said he had a stable job in full time employment as a mechanical engineer. District Judge Hamilton remanded the defendant in custody before his next appearance at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

David Green, 41, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, appeared in court charged with violent disorder in relation to the incident in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. He did not enter any plea at this stage. DJ Hamilton remanded Mr Green into custody. He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

Matthew Wilson, 31, of Parrock Street, Rossendale, Lancashire, has pleaded not guilty to three offences of racially aggravated assault. It is alleged that he was involved in an incident in the city centre on August 5. He denies involvement.

The court heard he had also allegedly made racist and homophobic comments. He was remanded into custody and will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

As he was led to the cells, Mr Wilson punched the glass of the dock a number of times and shouted derogatory terms at the judge.

District Judge Hamilton hauled the defendant back into court after the lunchbreak asked him to apologise for his outburst or spend the next seven days in custody for contempt. At first the defendant remained silent and said: “Yeah, go on then.”

Probed to give a ‘proper apology’ by the judge, he said: “I’m sorry for punching the glass.”

Duty solicitor Mr Philpott said: “I saw him earlier over the lunchtime adjournment. He apologises. He is mentally frustrated by recent events.”

The case was concluded and Mr Wilson will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

Alex Fraser, 20, of Leicester Road, Salford, pleaded not guilty to three racially aggravated public order offences. It is alleged that he was involved in an incident in the city centre on August 5. He denies involvement.

The court heard he had also allegedly made racist and homophobic comments. Applying for bail, his solicitor Richard Birtwistle said he was staying at a hostel in Stockport at the time, and has some mental health challenges.

DJ Hamilton remanded Mr Frazer, who looked visibly upset, into custody and he will next appear before Manchester Crown Court on September 11.
Manchester Evening News

Bradford man Liam Ryan pleads guilty to violent disorder

By virginiagolden

August 7, 2024

Uncategorized

A BRADFORD man cried in court as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder following disturbances in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre last weekend.

Liam Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this morning after the prosecution said he played an “active role in the disorder”.

Prosecutor Laura Peers said there had been a number of “large-scale disturbances” in Piccadilly Gardens last Saturday and Ryan had travelled from West Yorkshire to take part in the disorder.

Ms Peers said a “large group of far-right protesters” were seen engaging in an “altercation with one black male”, which was filmed by members of the group and uploaded on social media.

The prosecutor said the footage showed “a black male being confronted by a large group of white males”.

Ms Peers said Ryan had “played an active role in the disorder”, adding: “He was seen on the footage aiming a punch towards the male involved.”

District Judge Jane Hamilton remanded Ryan, who was shaking as he wiped tears away with a tissue after pleading guilty, into custody and ordered him to appear at Manchester Crown Court on August 14.

Earlier, Greater Manchester Police said four men – including Ryan – had been charged over the disorder in Manchester city centre last weekend.

David Green, 41, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, was also charged with violent disorder, while Andrew Phillips, 27, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, and Shaun Holt, 42, of Oak Road, Stockport, were both charged with violent disorder and assault.

Holt also appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today.

Holt gave no indication of plea.

District Judge Hamilton remanded Holt into custody and he will appear for a plea hearing at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

Disorder erupted in cities across the country last week after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest fuelled by misinformation online that the suspect was an asylum seeker.

The Government has said it will do “whatever it takes” to ensure those engaging in criminal activity are dealt with, including courts sitting overnight.

Minister for policing, Dame Diana Johnson, said: “We’ve already got people arrested and remanded into custody.

“It’s very clear that we want to send that message to people – if you engage in this type of criminal thuggery on our streets, you will be held to account,” she added.

Telegraph and Argus