John O’Malley and William Morgan were both sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

William Nelson Morgan and John O’Malley, both received 32 months for their involvement in the violent disorder last week(Image: Merseyside Police )

These are the faces of the next two thugs who took part in violent disorder in Merseyside. John O’Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, was charged with violent disorder in connection with the disturbance in the north Sefton seaside town last week.

William Morgan, 69 and of Linton Street in Walton, was charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place in relation to the disorder seen in the city on Saturday evening. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Thursday, August 8.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told the court O’Malley engaged in the violent scenes on St Luke’s Road in Southport on July 29. He described the scenes to the court and houses and the mosque were damaged.

Officers estimated a group of about 1,000 people being involved. There were chants of ‘this is our f***ing country,’ ‘s***houses’ and ‘scumbag b*******’, Mr Taylor told the court.

The prosecutor said of O’Malley: “It’s the crown’s case that he was active in and at the heart of the violence. The court will see a barrage of missiles being hurled at officers. The front bumper is pulled from a carrier and hurled at the officers.”

O’Malley was identified via footage from an “independent reporter, who heard chants of give us our country back, who the f*** is Allah and save our children”. Following his arrest, he “told officers he’d been subjected to threats because of his involvement in the disorder” before giving no comment under a further interview.

CCTV footage played to the court showed men taking items out of a red wheelie bin and throwing them towards a police carrier. Wheelie bins are also thrown towards the vehicle. Drone footage from overhead shows a stack of wheelie bins being set on fire in the middle of the road “in order to form a pyramid bonfire”.

Several men are seen on top of a police van, and Mr Taylor said another carrier was set on fire. The footage from an “independent journalist” was played, and showed “a variety of missiles striking the officers”. Comments of “they’ve got no chance” are heard.

Mr Taylor said the footage showed “officers being forced back because of the barrage,” “cheering and encouragement from other members of the mob,” and “shouts of ‘go on Southport’.” Mr Taylor added these chants “don’t represent the views of the community at large”.

O’Malley has convictions for drink driving in 2006 and received a fine for this offence. In November 2023 he was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and was on police bail in respect of a separate investigation at the time. There are currently no formal charges, the court heard.

Paul Lewis, defending, said O’Malley has no children and while “he does not have the benefit of good character he does not have a lengthy record”. Mr Lewis, who was also representing William Morgan, said: “The primary mitigation in their cases is their early pleas. Both men wish to profoundly apologise, not only to the families of those killed and injured in Southport but to the police against who they directed their aggression, to their own families for the shame and embarrassment caused to them and most importantly perhaps to the public for the destruction they in part caused, for the impact on public resources and the fear they now recognise their actions caused.”

Morgan took part in the violent disorder on County Road in Walton. Liverpool Crown Court heard how the 69-year-old was part of the “large mob”. Mr Taylor said: “Officers pushed forward in an attempt to disperse them. This defendant resisted and was seen to be holding a cosh in his hand.” An officer “charged” the defendant, and he dropped the item.

Morgan responded by “kicking out and swearing”, and Mr Taylor added: “It took three officers to control him.” He was then arrested at around 10.45am. As he was placed into a transporter van, Morgan said the cosh was “for his own protection”. Mr Taylor said: “He told officers he was 70 years of age and asked what else they expected him to do. In a subsequent interview, this defendant made no comment responses.”

Video footage played in court showed several men starting a fire at the entry of Spellow Library before the building is then seen “well alight” with other items ablaze in the road. A local corner shop was also broken into and wheelie bins were used as a barricade.

Body-worn footage showed Morgan’s arrest and he could be heard saying “f***ing arseholes, I’m f***ing 70 mate” as he’s struck with officers’ riot shields.

He then added: “I’m gonna die here. I’m English, I’m English. Stop it, I’m gonna die. Get off my. I’m f***ing 70 years of age. F*** off. F***ing get off me. Ah you c***, f*** off. I’m gonna die. You’re gonna kill me. I’m f***ing 70 years of age. F*** off.” An officer can then be heard on the footage, he said: “Why are you here, why are you in a riot man?” Morgan replied: “I’m trying to go home. F***s sake. I appreciate what you’re doing.”

The PC said: “Why are you here?” Morgan said: “Because I live here.” The officer, who has a north east accent, said: “Haway man.” Morgan responded: “You don’t know what I have been through – I have been pepper sprayed.”

Mr Taylor said Morgan “effectively apologises to the officers.” Morgan was said to be “of previous good character with no impending prosecutions”. Mr Lewis for Defence said Morgan was now retired and had worked as a welder.

He is a widower and has three grown up children and Mr Lewis said the offences for him “were entirely out of character”. He said: “He has no experience of the inevitable custodial sentence which will follow and which he may find particularly hard to bear. He accepts that he acted in drink and was disinhibited by the presence of a large crowd.

“Both defendants are aware they will receive sentences intended to provide both punishment to them and a deterrent. While neither were instigators of the damage and violence, they accept their presence provided encouragement for others and is a catalyst for other mobs. They are sorry.”

The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said both defendants were “at the forefront of very serious mob violence’.” He sentenced both to 32 months in prison.

Liverpool Echo