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Two men who threw objects and banged on doors of asylum-seeker hotel jailed

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September 5, 2024
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Kieron Marney and Clive Patfield were part of a group who also shouted abuse at people inside the hotel, police said.

Two men who banged on doors and hurled a bike at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Hampshire have been jailed.

Kieron Marney, 25, of Ash, threw a bike and other objects and pulled at window blinds at the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on July 31.

Clive Patfield, 60, of Farnham, also attended the 200-strong gathering and was part of a group banging on the doors, Hampshire Police said.

The force said video footage was played to Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday showing their violent disorder, which they pleaded guilty to at the hearing.

Marney was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and Patfield was jailed for two years.

It comes after officers launched an investigation and charged seven men and a teenage girl with violent disorder.

Two other men at the Aldershot protest also pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Wednesday and will be sentenced at a later date.

Alby Brannan, 18, of Ash, and Cameron Bowling, 41, of Farnborough, will be sentenced on November 29 and September 23 respectively.

A fifth man at the hearing on Wednesday, Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Farnborough, pleaded not guilty and a trial has been set for April 14 next year.

A 29-year-old man, Perrie Fisher, who rode a children’s scooter before throwing it at the hotel and telling a police officer to f*** off was jailed for 29 months at Winchester Crown Court on August 21.

A 13-year-old girl, from Aldershot, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder over the same incident at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court and will be sentenced there on September 30.

In a separate hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, a 41-year-old man pleaded guilty to four counts of assaulting an emergency worker, affray and a racially aggravated public order offence at the hotel on August 3.

Steven Tiquin, of Aldershot, assaulted officers, including one who had to go to hospital with a minor injury.

He will be sentenced on September 13.

Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: “While the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful, the men involved in disorder chose to act in an aggressive manner.

“I hope the sentences that Patfield and Marney received highlight that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. It is a clear message that these actions have consequences.

“This should serve as a warning to anyone else considering trying to bring mindless violence to our streets and that the minority who seek to cause disorder will face the full force of the law.”

Evening Standard

More than 200 people sentenced for offences linked to recent disorder

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September 5, 2024
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Just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

More than 200 people have now been sentenced for offences in connection with the disorder that broke out in parts of the country following the knife attack at a Southport dance studio on July 29 that left three girls dead.

Here are some of the key statistics:

– How many people have been sentenced?

The PA news agency has compiled details of 202 people who had been sentenced as of September 5.

– What is the age range of the people sentenced?

The oldest person to have been sentenced is William Morgan, 69, of Walton in Merseyside, who was jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon – a cosh – during unrest in Liverpool on August 3, in which police were attacked and a library was set on fire.

The youngest is a 13-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, who received a 12-month youth referral order for throwing missiles as part of a mob that besieged a Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

Some 21 of the 202 people sentenced are under 21, or 10% of the total. This includes two under 18: the 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.

A further 20 (10%) are aged 21 to 24, while 34 (17%) are aged 25 to 29.

This means just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

Some 62 people sentenced, or just under a third of the total (31%), are aged 30 to 39, while 39 (19%) are aged 40 to 49, 17 (8%) aged 50 to 59 and nine (4%) aged 60 and over.

– How many people have been sent to jail?

A total of 193 of the 202 people received immediate custodial sentences.

Of the nine others, four received suspended jail sentences, two were fined, two received community orders and one received a referral order.

– What is the longest jail sentence so far?

Six years, which was handed to David Wilkinson, 48, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, attempted arson and racially aggravated criminal damage for his role in the disturbances in the city on August 3.

The next longest jail term was given to John Honey, 25, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, racially aggravated criminal damage and violent disorder during the August 3 unrest in the city, for which he received a sentence of four years and eight months.

A jail term totalling three years and six months was handed to Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze in Bristol, comprising 34 months for violent disorder plus eight months for breaching a sexual harm prevention order, for his role in an anti-immigration protest that turned violent in the city on August 3.

– What is the shortest jail sentence so far?

Seven weeks, given to Jake Grainger-Quinn, 29, who pleaded guilty to a public order offence in Whitehall in central London on July 31, when he was part of a crowd rushing at and pushing against a police cordon.

– What is the average length of jail sentences?

The average is 24 months.

– What is the most common offence for which people have been sentenced?

Violent disorder. Some 157 of the 202 people sentenced so far had been charged with violent disorder, either by itself or in combination with other charges.

Other charges that have led to jail sentences include assaulting emergency workers, possession of a knife or sharp object in a public place, publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and causing racially aggravated intentional harassment.

– Which police forces account for the most number of people sentenced?

Five police forces together account for more than half of those sentenced: Merseyside (15% of the total), South Yorkshire (12%), Humberside (10%) Avon & Somerset (8%) and Cleveland (7%).

Evening Standard

Teen handed in by mum after riot avoids detention

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September 4, 2024
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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.

BBC News

Two men jailed over violent disorder at protest

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September 4, 2024
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Two men have been jailed for using or threatening violence during a protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

They were among seven men who appeared at Winchester Crown Court over the demonstration in Aldershot on 31 July.

Kieron Marney 25, of Fairview Road, Ash, was sentenced to 27 months, and Clive Patfield, 60, of The Chantrys, Farnham, was jailed for two years.

Judge Rufus Taylor said the asylum seekers would have been petrified and some remain too scared to leave the hotel.

Cameron Bowling, 40, of Broadhurst in Farnborough, also pleaded guilty to the same offence and will be sentenced on 23 September.

Pre-sentence psychological reports have been ordered for Joe Howell, 19, of Bareham Drive in Ash, Surrey, and Alby Brannan, 18, of Winchester Road, Ash.

They also admitted the same charge and will be sentenced on 29 November.

Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Montgomery Road, Farnborough, pleaded not guilty to using or threatening violence and will stand trial on 14 April 2025.

A police officer was injured when disorder broke out at the demonstration involving about 200 people.

Last month a 13-year-old girl pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the protests.

Steven Tiquin, 41, of Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, also appeared and pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting two police constables and two police staff investigators.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of using or threatening violent behaviour and racially aggravated harassment against a female police officer.

The charges relate to an incident at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on 3 August, when police were carrying out routine enquiries following the protests.

A police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Tiquin was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 13 September.

There were outbreaks of violence in other towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland, including Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.

It followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – with unrest believed to be fuelled by misinformation online.

BBC News

His ‘curiosity and stupidity’ led him straight into a prison cell

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September 4, 2024
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Anthony Buck says he was hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed after launching missiles towards them

A dad’s “curiosity” led to him being hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed twice.

Anthony Buck says that he was met with such retaliation after launching four missiles towards PCs when scenes of violence erupted in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice DaSilva Aguiar.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that a 1,000-strong crowd descended on the Southport Islamic Society Mosque on the evening of July 30 this year, the day after the killings, and chanted “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b****rds” and “who the f*** is Allah?”. Items being hurled towards officers led to more than 50 being injured, while residents’ properties were “significantly” damaged and one police van was destroyed by fire at a cost of £100,000.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Buck was seen on CCTV in close proximity to Windsor Mini Mart as the shop was looted, with cigarettes, crates of beer and bottles of spirits being taken from inside after the shutters were ripped open. The 52-year-old, formerly of Shakespeare Street, was said to have been “front and centre” as entry was forced to the premises, although he did not enter the store.

Footage also captured him launching objects towards the police four times in quick succession in his “distinctive” blue Berghaus top. Buck was subsequently arrested at Southport Police Station on August 29.

Under interview, he “admitted throwing several small rocks or stones” and said he was “under the influence of drink” at the time. The defendant told detectives that he had been “PAVA sprayed twice and hit with a baton four times” and said he was “agitated”.

Buck meanwhile stated that he could not remember anything he had shouted at the scene, but maintained that it “would not have been racist chanting” as he was “not a racist”. He also said he had filmed the events on his mobile phone, but later deleted the footage.

His criminal record shows a total of 23 previous convictions for 32 offences dating back to 1986. This includes an entry for wounding without intent in 1994 and receiving 27 months for possession of heroin with intent to supply in August 2021.

Buck was originally released from this term in July 2022, but was subsequently recalled on licence in February 2023 before being freed again in November last year. Simon Christie, defending, told the court: “He bitterly regrets his part in the serious violent disorder on the streets of Southport.

“The defendant is a native of Southport. He is not one of those who travelled to the scene. He is seen undisguised on the footage. He instructs that he went to the crowd out of curiosity and then, out of pure stupidity, allowed himself to get involved and remained at the scene, and he threw a number of objects towards the police.

“He has responsibilities at home. He has two children, aged 12 and 13, who are being looked after by family members. Having seen the footage, he is quite simply appalled at what he did.

“He is proud of the town and cannot rationally explain why he become involved in it. He quite inexplicably not only got involved, he stayed there for an appreciable period of time – albeit the violence was concentrated into a relatively short period of time.”

Buck admitted violent disorder. Appearing in the dock wearing a black North Face t-shirt, he nodded as he was jailed for 28 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “A mob which became a thousand strong gathered near to the mosque. Without any justification at all, the mob attacked the mosque and its community – who were completely blameless – and the police, who were, in the eyes of the mob, at fault for trying to protect those who were their targets.

“The mob laid siege to the police line. There was a violent confrontation. In years passed, it would probably have been described as a pitched battle and it lasted a considerable amount of time.

“The events which you were part of sparked a series of incidents of mob violence in other places in the days and weeks which followed, the consequences being far reaching – not just for the people of Southport, but for the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder which causes injury, damage and fear to communities will, as you now appreciate, inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Liverpool Echo

‘Lonely’ yob took advantage of Middlesbrough riot to raid Chinese takeaway and steal cash from till

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September 4, 2024
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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.

MSN

‘Abusive’ wind turbine worker bitten by police dog after hurling brick at officers during riot

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September 4, 2024
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John Barton, a wind turbine worker, threw a brick at police officers during the violent protest on Murray Street, in Hartlepool

An “aggressive and abusive” Teesside rioter was bitten by a police dog after he refused to move away from officers.

John Barton, who was “struggling” with his break up, met up with his pals in Hartlepool town centre for a drink on July 31. The dad then attended Murray Street with the group where hundreds had gathered for the violent protest.

The 33-year-old – who claimed he hadn’t done anything to police – had actually hurled a brick at police officers who were called in to control the growing mob. Prosecutor Rachel Masters told Teesside Crown Court that the evidence against Barton, who has a three-year-old daughter, was “overwhelming” and that he pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

The Middlesbrough court heard that on July 31 Cleveland Police were alerted to a number of social media posts circulating online that gave details of exact addresses of asylum seekers living in the Teesside area. “Pre-organised protests” were arranged and at 6pm a group gathered at the cenotaph in Hartlepool.

It quickly gathered in size with many members carrying England flags. By 8pm it had turned violent, Ms Masters said.

Barton was one of the men involved in the 200-strong protest – he was “present and participating”. At around 9.20pm on Murray Street, police officers were pushing back the crowd.

A man was seen hurling a brick at police officers and refusing to move back – that man was later identified as Barton. One officer, who had a police dog, “stood his ground”.

Barton was then bit by the dog in the stomach area, Ms Masters told the court. The prosecutor outlined that Barton had met his friends in the pub in the town centre earlier that afternoon for a drink.

They met another friend who told them about the protests which were “something to do with the incident in Southport”. The group then left the town centre and attended Murray Street where Barton was spotted “throwing items at police”. Ms Masters stated that in a police interview Barton claimed he hadn’t done anything and had been bitten by a police dog.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, stated that Barton’s “best mitigation” was that he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and that he has “genuine remorse”. The court heard that Barton’s time in custody has been a “sobering experience” as he has never been in custody before.

Ms Kitson-Parker added that her client has three previous convictions for four offences. “It is the biggest regret of his life,” she added.

At the time of the offence, Barton had broken up with his partner and “struggled” to get over it and had recently found out that his estranged father had died. Ms Kitson-Parker told His Honour Judge Francis Laird KC that Barton has worked in factories and in quality control on wind turbines for the past decade.

Judge Laird told Barton that he chose to take part in the disorder which led to businesses and members of the public “devastated” and “outraged”. He added that Barton was “persistently aggressive and abusive”.

Barton, of of Duke Street, Hartlepool, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Gazette Live

Hotel rioter jailed after ‘spreading hate’

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September 3, 2024
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A man who stormed a hotel used to house asylum seekers and was part of a crowd chanting “burn it down” has been jailed for three years.

Craden McKenzie was one of about 400 people who gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August.

Sheffield Crown Court heard the 26-year-old unemployed labourer, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, was a “central participant in the most serious aspects” of the rioting.

At his sentencing hearing, McKenzie, of Doncaster Road, Darfield, was told he “richly deserved” the punishment imposed.

South Yorkshire Police said 64 officers, three police horses and a police dog were injured during the rioting.

Footage played in court showed missiles being thrown at police officers and at the building, with a group of men including McKenzie seen breaking into a side exit.

McKenzie walked around the hotel lobby “almost as if [he] owned the place” while staff were in hiding, the court heard.

He was also pictured in a crowd which attacked riot police with fire extinguishers and other items outside, with the group heard chanting “burn it down”.

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said McKenzie told officers he went to the hotel to “peacefully protest” and blamed the disorder on a “miscommunication between protesters and police”.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, rejected McKenzie’s explanation as “arrant nonsense”, adding: “It is clear the group of which you were a part of was desirous of provoking police officers, damaging the hotel and seeking out the occupants of hotel.

“Thereby you were spreading hate.”

Judge Richardson accepted McKenzie was not filmed throwing missiles, but said being at the front and actively encouraging others placed him in “the same league”.

He told the defendant: “You were involved as a central participant in the most serious aspects of the violent disorder which occurred on that day.”

McKenzie was also made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

Passing sentence, Judge Richardson said: “For a man with no previous convictions, going to prison for three years is a very serious matter.

“I’m afraid you richly deserve it.”

He continued: “Anyone who involves themselves in this form of public disorder must be punished, and punished severely.”

BBC News

Man who chanted racist slogan at police jailed

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September 3, 2024
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A man who chanted a racially offensive phrase at a line of police officers during disorder in Whitehall has been jailed for 24 weeks for racially aggravated harassment.

Jordan Rawlings, 25, from Ritson Avenue, Bearpark, Durham, was among more than 700 people who gathered for a protest opposite Downing Street at around 18:30 on 31 July, following a similar demonstration in Southport, a court heard.

Video played in court showed a group of men also shouting “You’re not English any more” and calling the officers “scum”.

Rawlings was initially arrested at the scene, de-arrested when the situation was under control, then re-arrested at Darlington railway station when he was trying to travel to London on 8 August, following further analysis of CCTV by police.

At his first appearance before magistrates, Rawlings, who has no previous convictions, admitted causing harassment, alarm or distress that was racially aggravated.

Gary Wood, defending, said: “He has clearly been swept away with the behaviour that was going on and it is behaviour he very much regrets.”

The judge said: “You chose to be part of an organised and largescale act of civil unrest.

“In the course of that you were part of a group that was aggressive towards police officers and chanting racist insults.”

The judge said a suspended sentence was inappropriate and jailed him for 24 weeks.

BBC News

Man jailed over violent protest involvement in Bristol

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September 3, 2024
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A 40-year-old man has been jailed for two years for his involvement in an anti-immigration protest in Bristol on 3 August.

Bristol Crown Court heard that Marc Donavon, from Wells, had “kicked out” at people, thrown objects at police and poured liquid on a passing cyclist.

He was also seen to have encouraged other protestors by filming them.

Donavon handed himself in and pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder.

Judge Michael Cullum reminded the defendant that it was his choice to attend the protest.

“The febrile atmosphere must have made it clear right from the word go that this was going to be, and was, teetering on the point of disorder,” Judge Cullum said.

“You could have gone home and been the responsible family man that you had otherwise previously been.

“This was a deliberately violent protest, and you aligned yourself to it.”

BBC News