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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two more locked up for their roles in Hull riot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hull Daily Mail

Man jailed for violent disorder in Hull riots

By
January 24, 2025
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A man has been sent to prison for his role in the Hull riots.

Ethan Armstrong, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder at Hull Crown Court.

Armstrong, of Raven Walk in Hull, was jailed for 34 months.

A number of people have been given prison sentences after violence broke out following a demonstration involving anti-immigration protesters in Hull city centre on 3 August 2024.

BBC News

Jail for man who torched car during riot

By
January 9, 2025
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A man who attacked police and set fire to a car during the Hull riots has been jailed for 45 months.

Tony Mulchinock, 35, had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson at a previous hearing.

Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland played CCTV footage to Hull Crown Court showing Mulchinock outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway on 3 August kicking a police car and “aggressively challenging officers”.

Later footage showed him smashing the window of a car on a garage forecourt and leaning in and setting fire to it, completely destroying the vehicle.

Ms Gatland told the court that the defendant “carried out a leading role” in the disorder, which followed an anti-immigration demonstration in Hull city centre, and was “present throughout the entirety of the events of that day”.

In mitigation, his defence barrister Billy Torbett said his client had a troubled upbringing and mental health issues and was “remorseful and deeply regrets his actions”.

Passing sentence, Judge John Thackray KC said Mulchinock, of Stroud Crescent West in Hull, played a “very prominent role” in the violence.

“It formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence which led to police officers being injured,” the judge said.

He said that Mulchinock had set fire to a car while a family including children sheltered in a nearby garage “terrified as they heard threats to kill directed at them”.

Judge Thackray imposed an increase to the sentence to reflect that both offences were racially aggravated.

BBC News

Man, 64, stole from Lush and O2 during riot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BBC News

Boy, 13, admits disorder through floods of tears

By
December 18, 2024
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A boy who threw a traffic cone at a police car during this summer’s rioting told a judge he will “never be bad again” as tears streamed down his face while he was given a 12-month youth referral order.

The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also caught on CCTV wielding a hammer in Hull city centre on 3 August.

At Hull Magistrates’ Court earlier, which was sitting as a youth court, the teenager, flanked by his parents, admitted violent disorder through floods of tears while being comforted by his mother.

During the plea hearing, Judge Mark Daley accepted the boy had not intended to cause trouble.

Violence flared in several towns and cities across England following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

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

Prosecutor Emily Robinson told the court the boy was present with a large group and had thrown the traffic cone at the police car, which was parked on Ferensway, and landed just short of hitting the vehicle.

In footage played to the court, the youngster was seen walking through a crowd of people with the cone before hurling it. The mob, which included John Honey, who was jailed for his part in the riot, was repeatedly attacking the vehicle.

The judge heard the 13-year-old saw a hammer on the bench and picked it up “not knowing what to do with it”.

Mitigating, solicitor Craig Davie said his client had not threatened anyone with it and was incredibly remorseful about his actions.

He said the boy had played a small role and accepted he should not have taken part.

Mr Davie added: “At the time he didn’t think of the consequences but only afterwards did he realise how serious it was and the impact of it.

“He attended town with a friend and it took him by surprise. He allowed himself to get involved.”
‘Kick up bum’

Mr Davie said the boy’s actions had left him fearful of the impact on his future.

Handing the referral order, Judge Daley explained to the boy why he decided not to jail him.

“A lot of people went into town to cause trouble but I don’t think you were one of them,” he said.

Just before the sentence was passed, the boy’s father told the judge: “This has given him a kick up the bum.”

“I’m never gonna do anything bad again,” added the child, while wiping his tearful face.

BBC News

Man warned he faces likely prison sentence for role in Hull riot

By
November 28, 2024
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Andrew Wardrobe pleaded guilty to violent disorder

The latest troublemaker to appear in court after the serious scenes of mob violence in Hull city centre in August has been warned that he faces a likely prison sentence.

Andrew Wardrobe was brought in custody before Hull Crown Court, where he appeared in the secure dock for a charge of violent disorder to be put to him.

Wardrobe, 54, of Falkland Road, Greatfield estate, east Hull, pleaded guilty to committing the offence on August 3. His behaviour was part of 12 hours of trouble in the city that day.

The disturbances in Hull included rowdy and violent scenes outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, which was being used at the time to house asylum seekers. There were confrontations with police, who were forming a protective line.

There were also disturbances in Queen Victoria Square, Jameson Street and at a garage. Details on Wardrobe’s involvement in the disorder will be given at a later stage.

Sentence on Wardrobe was adjourned for a psychiatric report to be prepared on him. Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Wardrobe had suffered problems. He was further remanded in custody.

Judge Mark Bury warned Wardrobe that he faced a likely prison sentence at the next hearing.

When the case of Wardrobe was mentioned at a different point of the day, Judge Bury asked if any co-defendants with the surnames Lion and Witch were going to be brought before the court. He was told that there would be no defendants with those names appearing in court.

Hull Daily Mail

Hull rioter jailed after handing himself in to police

By
November 23, 2024
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Leon Armstrong was at several places when disturbances broke out in Hull city centre, the court heard

A man who took part in scenes of “mass stupidity” during disturbances in Hull city centre in August got carried away with a “group mentality” and has now been jailed.

Father-of-three Leon Armstrong was later shown a social media post about the police trying to find more of the people who took part in the “12 hours of mob violence” and he handed himself in the next day, Hull Crown Court heard.

Armstrong, 33, of Holderness Road, east Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3.

The court heard that Armstrong was present in several places when disturbances broke out in Hull city centre, including in Ferensway, where there was a police line outside the Royal Hotel to protect asylum seekers being housed there.

He was also in Queen Victoria Square and Jameson Street, where a group lunged forward towards police and he encouraged another person to grab the shields of officers.

Armstrong played a leading role in the trouble and his behaviour was motivated by racial hostility, the court heard.

He had a long history of crime, including offences of wounding, assault causing actual bodily harm, assault, possessing weapons, threatening behaviour, criminal damage, harassment, racially aggravated disorder and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Stephen Robinson, mitigating, said it was a serious incident but Armstrong cooperated with the police investigation and handed himself in.

“A post was put on a social media site showing further people that the police wanted to find,” said Mr Robinson. “A friend pointed out that he was on that and, the very next day, he handed himself in at the police station and he made admissions during interview.

“His apologies and expression of regret are genuine because he handed himself in. There was cooperation and there were expressions of regret.

“Little useful can be said about why he was there. He went to attend a protest. It didn’t turn out to be what he thought it would be but, rather than leave, he got caught up in a group mentality.”

Armstrong was most recently before a court in 2022 and he had got himself a job, training as a dock worker and gaining qualifications. “He has been doing that for two years and it gave him a purpose,” said Mr Robinson. “He had just started to sort himself out.

“He enjoyed the work. He has lost that job, of course. It is sad that, when he has managed to sort himself out, he got involved in this mass stupidity. He has paid a penalty already.

“He accepts that there will be further punishment to come in terms of the sentence to be imposed. He was not one of the more heavily involved individuals.”

Judge John Thackray KC told Armstrong: “Your offending formed part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence. During those 12 hours of mob violence, immeasurable harm was caused to this city and to people. Huge financial costs were caused to the city and to businesses.”

There was “utterly deplorable public disorder” involving huge numbers of people, racist chanting and determined attacks upon the police.

“You were close by when missiles were being thrown at police officers who were there to protect asylum seekers,” said Judge Thackray. “Your history of previous convictions goes back many years, with relevant offences of violence and damage.”

Armstrong, who was already in custody on remand, was jailed for two years and eight months.

Hull Daily Mail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hull Daily Mail

Grandmother who was part of ‘baying mob’ during Hull riot is jailed

By
October 16, 2024
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She was ‘at the front of a large group behaving in a threatening way’

A rabble-rousing grandmother who helped stir up trouble during “12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” in Hull city centre has been jailed for two years.

Julieanne Kay was walking around with a piece of wood in her hand while large numbers of police were being confronted outside a hotel that was housing asylum seekers.

She was present when fires were started at a garage and a “baying mob” surrounded a car that had three “terrified” men inside it, Hull Crown Court heard.

Kay, 47, of Lorraine Street, Hull, admitted violent disorder on August 3.

Judge John Thackray KC said that Kay played a prominent role at the front of a group of people who were confronting police outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were living at the time. She made a comment about “banana boats” and she was part of racist insults that were hurled during the disturbance.

She pushed a large blue bin towards police and she was walking around holding a piece of wood. Kay was near her boyfriend, David Wilkinson, 48, of Lorraine Street, who had nunchucks with him. He was jailed for six years at a hearing in August for violent disorder, attempted arson and causing racially aggravated criminal damage.

Judge Thackray told Kay: “You were at the front of a large group behaving in a threatening way, waving and beckoning at the crowd. You tried to damage a litter bin that was screwed to the ground. You were kicking and pulling at it.”

Kay was also present when fires were set at a garage and when a BMW car was surrounded by a “baying mob” while three “terrified” occupants were inside. “You were part of that episode,” said Judge Thackray.

Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Kay had three children and three grandchildren. “She is incredibly embarrassed to find herself here today and she is appalled by her behaviour,” said Miss Scott.

“She got carried away with all of this.” Kay was involved in some unpleasant behaviour but she claimed that she was carrying the piece of wood not as a weapon but more as a crutch.

She “mirrored” the behaviour of her boyfriend, David Wilkinson, and she became “carried away in an entirely unpleasant way” during the trouble.

“She is incredibly remorseful and incredibly embarrassed,” said Miss Scott. “She has already served three months of a prison sentence.

“A Class A drugs addiction has blighted most of her life. Her Class A drugs addiction started when she was injected with drugs by a partner. She has managed her mental health by turning to Class A drugs.”

Kay had been clean of drugs for five or six years and her most recent previous conviction was from 2009. At the time of the offence, she had split up with her boyfriend of 26 years for about four weeks. “She was struggling to come to terms with the break-up,” said Miss Scott.

Judge Thackray said that Kay’s actions were “part of 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” that had caused “immeasurable harm” and left a huge financial cost.

“I am not satisfied that your risk can be managed in the community or that you can be rehabilitated in the community,” said Judge Thackray. “Ultimately, only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”

Hull Daily Mail