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Rotherham riots: Father-of-three jailed after hurling wheelie bin at police guarding hotel

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December 3, 2024
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A father-of-three who threw rocks and a wheelie bin at riot police guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and four months.

A judge told Sonny Ackerman, 30, he would have received an even longer sentence for his part in the violence outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Rotherham, on August 4, but for his clear learning disability.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Ackerman: “I have little doubt you’re easily led. I very much doubt you even understood what the disorder was all about.”

But Judge Richardson added: “You knew what you were doing and knew it was wrong.”

Footage shown at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday showed a masked Ackerman throwing a rock at police lines at the height of the disorder outside the hotel, which was housing 240 asylum seekers.

Further video showed the defendant helping to hurl a wheelie bin at the officers trying to push back the rioters.

This happened close to a larger bin, which had been set alight against the fire door of the building.

Judge Richardson heard that Ackerman was on bail for an offence of driving while disqualified at the time of the rioting.

The judge said he had received a report from a neuropsychologist and told the defendant it was clear he had a learning disability and a very low IQ.

The judge said: “This was a disgraceful episode. It shocked the entire country. Those involved were an ignorant mob and they must be punished. You were part of that ignorant mob.”

Ackerman, of Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing and appeared in court on Tuesday (Dec 3) via videolink from prison.

He is the latest of more than 70 men who have been jailed after the rioting at the hotel.

The court heard that the residents were trapped on the upper floors of the building as rioters broke in and started the fire in a bin at one of the exits, filling the hotel with smoke.

Staff have described how they barricaded themselves into a safe room, fearing they would die.

More than 60 police officers were injured in the disorder, the court heard.

Yorkshire Post

Fleetwood man, 21, threw bottles at police and encouraged JD Sports looters during Blackpool riots

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November 29, 2024
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A Fleetwood man threw bottles at police and cheered on yobs as they attempted to loot a store during the riots in Blackpool.

Violent disturbances broke out following a protest in the resort on Saturday, August 3.

Morgan Spencer, 21, was identified by police at various scenes of the disorder.

CCTV showed him in Talbot Square where he joined others in running at a police van and throwing bottles at officers.

He then joined the protestors as they moved to Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Spencer cheered on the group as they attacked security guards and attempted to loot the JD Sports store.

He was then seen throwing bottles and chairs at a group of people from the Rebellion Festival in St John’s Square.

Spencer, of Windsor Terrace, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

He was subsequently jailed for two years and nine months by a judge at Preston Crown Court on Friday (November 22).

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards, of Lancashire Police, said: “Morgan Spencer clearly played a role at different locations in the disgraceful disorder in Blackpool on August 3.

“He was involved in abhorrent behaviour where police officers and members of the public were subjected to threats and violence.

“Such behaviour is not welcome in Lancashire and will not be tolerated in our county.

“A number of people have been brought to justice for their role in the disorder and I welcome the sentence in this case.”

Blackpool Gazette

Pair given youth detention for migrant hotel attack

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November 29, 2024
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Two men have been given custodial sentences for taking part in a violent protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Joe Howell, 20, and Alby Brannan, 18, hurled objects at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 31 July, police said.

The pair, from Ash, Surrey, pleaded guilty at Salisbury Crown Court to violent disorder.

Howell, who also admitted assaulting an emergency worker, was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months, while Brannan was given an 18-month sentence.

More than 200 protesters gathered at the hotel, as part of the rioting that swept across England in the days after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, the court previously heard.

A small group of men entered the car park, kicked footballs against windows and damaged blinds and a perimeter wall, the court was told.

The protesters shouted slogans including “we want our country back” and “get ’em gone”, leaving hotel residents “petrified”, Judge Rufus Taylor previously said.

Howell, of Bareham Drive, hurled bicycles at the hotel and banged on doors, while Brannan, of Winchester Road, threw fireworks, police said.

Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: “We know that the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful.

“However, Howell and Brannan were part of a smaller group that chose to act in an aggressive and intimidating manner.

“Their behaviour that day spiralled out of control and caused fear of violence to those inside the hotel and our officers. Our message is clear – this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

BBC News

‘Good’ dad bitten by police dog as he hurled beer cans at officers during riot

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November 28, 2024
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He’ll now miss his daughter’s first birthday after being jailed

A dad who threw beer cans at police officers protecting a hotel full of asylum seekers and was bitten by a police dog has been jailed for 30 months.

Tommy McQuaker, 29, will miss his daughter’s first birthday this weekend after he was ordered to serve at least 12 months in prison for his part in “extreme” disorder on August 4 outside Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express hotel that arose in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings.

When McQuaker arrived at the scene that evening, a fire had already been set inside the foyer of the hotel with around 300 protesters throwing missiles including fireworks, a petrol bomb, bricks, chunks of concrete, lampposts and makeshift flamethrowers at Staffordshire Police officers who were trying to protect those inside.

Judge John Gosling said the incident was a “siege” which involved serious violence and racist and abusive language and that McQuaker was not a ringleader but part of a mob.

Stafford Crown Court heard on Thursday that McQuaker, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, wore dark clothing, a hoodie and a balaclava to disguise himself as he pulled at least four cans of beer out of a bag and launched them at a line of officers.

At around 9.20pm, a police dog handler and police dog Vixen were deployed, with the handler giving “repeated warnings to the baying mob, including the defendant, to move back or they may be bitten”, prosecution barrister Rajbir Punia said.

When the defendant did not move, he was set upon by PD Vixen who bit his leg to “discourage him from taking part in further violent behaviour”.

Ms Punia said: “He shouted ‘get your f****** dog off me’, which appeared to incite the nearby crowd. He fuelled an already hostile crowd, leaving the police dog handler vulnerable and in fear.

“He called for help but colleagues were unable to assist him as they too were coming under attack. He said this was the first time in his 10-year career that he felt he was in trouble.”

Ms Punia said the events at the hotel was an “unacceptable, relentless attack” on both police and hotel residents, which forced staff members to run to the loft for safety as smoke bombs and other missiles were hurled at the premises and fires were set.

Defending, Christopher O’Gorman told the court that McQuaker’s “inexplicable” behaviour had had a serious effect on his family, including his children and partner, and that he was suffering as his beloved grandmother died while he was in custody.

He said: “Men have appeared before this court for offences arising out of this disturbance for whom prison is an occupational hazard and missing their family is part of that occupational hazard while they serve their time.

“There are reasons that are unique to Mr McQuaker that bear a burden that will no doubt remind him every day of the utterly reprehensible and shocking behaviour he indulged in that evening.

“He genuinely regrets his inexplicable decision to get involved in that disturbance that night, but the regret will stay with him for the rest of his life.

“He is a good father. His daughter is one this weekend and he has missed a third of her life by getting himself remanded in custody because of the terrible behaviour he took part in.

“He knows he only has himself to blame for all of this. There is a handwritten letter from his nan. She is no longer here to read the letter out herself and he will think about that every day.”

Stoke Sentinel

Man says ‘love ya’ as he’s jailed for what he did in Pret A Manger

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November 27, 2024
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Adam Harvey thanked the judge before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters

A man emptied the contents of a fire extinguisher over customers at Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee in Liverpool ONE. Adam Harvey was identified by police from the “distinctive” tattoos on his neck after embarking upon a rampage of violence across Liverpool city centre.

The thug also launched a can at an officer’s head and hurled a brick at a van before breaking into a phone shop. He now says he “got carried away” after widespread disturbances erupted following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar in Southport.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that Harvey was involved in the incident of “mass disorder” in central Liverpool on August 3 this year. The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was first seen on camera at around 3pm on the day in question, being identified in footage via the “distinctive tattoos on either side of his neck” by a PC with whom he had had previous dealings.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, described how he thereafter launched a can of beer after forming part of a crowd around 300 people near to the Liver Building, with this missile striking a police officer in the head. PC Rachel Judge, who was not wearing a protective helmet at this stage, was also hit by a second object thrown by a second person and rendered unconscious.

Harvey was later seen throwing another object as he crossed the Strand and chucking a brick at a police carrier van as an officer was driving the vehicle away. As he subsequently made his way through Liverpool ONE with a group of other men shortly, he was shown on CCTV letting off a fire extinguisher over customers who were sitting outside Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee on Paradise Street.

He was then part of a mob who looted iFix phone repair shop on Church Street, being shown in one clip reaching underneath shutters at the storefront and helping himself to a box before throwing the item back inside the premises after realising that it was empty. Harvey was subsequently arrested November 20 and made no comment to detectives when interviewed.

His criminal record shows a total of 34 convictions for 51 offences – including assaulting a police officer and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour in 2004, shoplifting in 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2013, criminal damage in 2012, a public order offence in 2018 and affray and theft in 2021.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “There are personal circumstances which do not in truth mitigate that which he did, but perhaps give some understanding of how he found himself in this position and got carried away with what was going on.

“Historically, he has had a problem with drink. During the course of the last two years, he has done a lot to try to alleviate that problem from his life with some relative success.

“He received bad family news in the spring regarding an illness that his father has, which is a serious illness. As a consequence of that, he fell back into his old ways and started drinking again.

“On the day in question, while not being involved in the planning of the disorder that took place in the city centre, he was in Liverpool with friends and he was participating in drink. When this disorder struck up, he got himself involved.”

Harvey admitted violent disorder, burglary and assaulting an emergency services worker. Appearing in the dock wearing a prison issue jumper, he was jailed for 34 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “This case stems from events in the summer following the killing of three children in Southport. There was, the following day, mob violence on a significant scale which itself spawned copycat mob violence in other locations across the country.

“This all had a far reaching impact on the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder – including causing damage and fear to communities, taking part in looting of shops and causing injury to police officers – will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Harvey replied “thank you judge” before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters. He then gave a thumbs up as he was led to the cells and added: “Love yas.”

Liverpool Echo

Man who used 3D printer to make gun part locked up

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November 27, 2024
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A teenager has been locked up for making a gun part using a 3D printer.

Owain Roberts, 19, of St Michael’s Street in Newport, was part of a messaging group called domestic terrorism and shared anti-Semitic messages online, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Roberts was 17 when the offence took place but messages up to March 2024 suggested he was intending to finish the firearm.

Roberts pleaded guilty to manufacturing a component part for a weapon – a frame for a FGC9 semi automatic pistol – and was sentenced to four years and nine months in a young offenders institution.

Police also found gas masks, body armour and night vision goggles in his bedroom in Newport which had a poster of JStark on the wall, the man who made the first printed firearm.

The frame Roberts printed forms the outside of the gun which hold other parts.

A FGC9 is a 3D printed weapon which the court heard was “deliberately designed to circumvent firearms laws through the use of non-regulated parts.”

Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, told the court police searched Roberts’ home in April after he became the focus of an investigation by serious organised crime officers.

At his father’s home in Newport, officers seized a 3D printer, a frame for a FGC9, steel barrels and a magazine for a gun – the part which stores and feeds ammunition.

Roberts exchanged messages on a site called Discord used by gamers with the profile name Strelok which the court was told meant “gun slinger” in Russian.

The court was read some of the messages which included references to Adolf Hitler and indicated he wanted to hurt Jewish people and Muslims.

A second search of Roberts’ bedroom uncovered bullets, knives, target posters and an American revolutionary flag known as the Gadsden flag, with the words ‘Don’t tread on me’,

This type of flag was seen in the US Capitol Riots in 2021.

A firearms expert told the court that the gun was “reliable and lethal”.

The court heard that Roberts had undertaken basic military training in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and marksmanship had been an element of his training before he dropped out after five months.

During police interviews, Roberts described the messages sent as “lads’ banter”, describing the name of the group domestic terrorism as a “dark joke and in bad taste”.

He claimed he only planned to use the gun for display and used the night vision goggle “to look at the stars”.

Defending, Peter Donnison said Roberts was a self-described “nerd” with an interest in puzzles and the mechanical working of objects.

He said Roberts was “genuinely remorseful” and ashamed of his conduct, particularly the comments he made online.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said she took into account Roberts’ age and immaturity but said his views and interest in military activity was relevant.

Roberts will serve half of his sentence in custody before being considered for release.

BBC News

Three people sentenced for violent disorder in Merseyside

By
November 27, 2024
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Three people were sentenced yesterday, Tuesday 26 November, for their role in violent disorder in Merseyside.

The three offenders appeared in court after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that on Saturday 3 August, 25-year-old Keelan Woodhead travelled from Telford to attend the disorder in Liverpool city centre and on County Road, Walton where he received an injury to his hand which required medical treatment. He disclosed to hospital staff that he had thrown bricks at police which resulted in his hand injury. Woodhead was also identified as throwing an item at a police vehicle and he was arrested the next day, Sunday 4 August.

Woodhead, of Tilia Green in Telford, pleaded guilty and was jailed for one year and five months in prison.

Christopher Dean of Byfleet Close in Wigan pleaded guilty for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July.

Dean was one of the first to throw items towards the officers, including a wheelie bin directly at them. The court heard that he also participated in racial chanting.

The 35-year-old was jailed for two years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

A 14-year-old girl from Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty for her role in violent disorder and theft on County Road, Walton on Saturday 3 August.

Liverpool Youth Court heard that she threw missiles towards officers and was part of a group who attacked a police vehicle and a lone officer. The group then went into a Go Local store on Delamore Street and she stole a pack of soft drinks. In addition, while a cash register was thrown on the floor by group member, she then stole money from the till before fleeing.

Yesterday the teenage offender received a 12-month referral order and fined £200 compensation.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This latest sentencing yesterday showed that the three offenders played an active part in the shocking scenes of violent disorder we all witnessed in Southport and Liverpool.

“We continue to remain steadfast in our investigation to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside by reviewing more than 12,000 pieces of footage, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

An investigation into the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool is ongoing. The total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 151, with 110 charged and 84 sentenced to a combined 176 years.

We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Merseyside Police

Rioter threw rocks at police during Middlesbrough protest

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November 26, 2024
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A rioter who threw rocks and stones at police as they attempted to control angry protesters has been locked up for his behaviour.

Connor Stokes was at the forefront of the violent disorder that swept through Middlesbrough town centre in the summer and his actions were caught on camera as the protest descended into violence.

The 27-year-old was spotted hiding behind a wall before launching a barrage of missiles towards the police lines, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said: “He was distinctive because he was wearing a grey tracksuit and black face covering and was observed throughout the day – he was deemed to be one of the main participants of the disorder.

“He was observed throwing bricks at police lines. The defendant hid behind a wall, he then came from behind the wall and threw several objects in the direction of the police.”

An officer was forced to move out of the way of his missiles and he was caught on camera throwing rocks at a passing police van, the court heard.

Stokes, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following his behaviour on August 4 this year.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had very little memory of what he did on the day as he was so intoxicated but had taken advantage of the time he had spent in custody to carry out a number of courses.

He added: “He is working with the drug and alcohol team in prison, he has had a problem with cocaine and has been doing relapse prevention work. He has also been working with the mental health team.

“He realises that the only sentence the court can impose is a custodial one and he is very ashamed of his actions.”

Judge Richard Clews sentenced Stokes to two years and nine months in custody for his role in the disorder.

He said: “You were wearing some sort of facial disguise at the time which suggests to me that you had intended to involve yourself in disorder and you didn’t want to be recognised.

“The police described you as one of the main participants throwing objects to the police lines and you were seen to hide behind a wall before throwing several rocks towards the officers.”

Northern Echo

Masked dad, 41, at ‘forefront’ of Hanley riots served in Iraq

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November 26, 2024
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Now Lee Whitby has been jailed

Iraq veteran Lee Whitby was at the ‘forefront’ of the Hanley riots. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 41-year-old was caught on camera near Salahuddin Mosque, on Town Road, as well as at the front of police lines outside Hanley Library and in Shelton during the August 3 troubles.

Now Whitby – who has 42 previous offences on his record – has been jailed for 26 months after admitting violent disorder. Tours of Kosovo and Iraq have left him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said: “Mr Whitby was very much at the forefront of the police line, wearing a balaclava or face mask. He can be seen taking out his phone and shouting at police officers before sustaining an injury to his hand and then he gets a plaster for it.

“Video footage from Town Road shows Mr Whitby was there again at the front of the police line causing issues and he is present when missiles and fireworks are thrown. He can also be seen picking something up and throwing it in the direction of the mosque and the mosque car park. Mr Whitby is also seen pushing with others against the police line in Shelton, and further footage by the library shows him standing directly in front of a police carrier preventing it from moving and he is spoken to by a police officer.”

The court heard Whitby, of Newpool Terrace, Brown Lees, had not been in trouble since 2012.

Catherine O’Reilly, mitigating, said: “It is clear Lee Whitby is incredibly remorseful and ashamed at being sentenced for an offence that is completely out of character. His focus has been on his family and work. Mr Whitby is a family man. His partner sits in court and he has a young daughter and son from a previous relationship. He is not the kind of man out on the weekends causing trouble. He wants to remain in employment and then go home to his family. He is a fabricator for a well-established company for a number of years, hopefully he will return to the trade.

“Mr Whitby takes full responsibility for his actions that day. He misplaced his sense of loyalty to his friends who were participating in the riots that day. There is no suggestion of Mr Whitby chanting anything of racial motivations and he says he is not racially motivated.

“He has served this country for a number of years, previously in Iraq and Kosovo, and he has PTSD from this, but he returned to employment in civilian life. He’s let himself down badly but his family more. This is a snapshot of a man who behaved completely out of character and he is hopeful to return to work and to his family as soon as possible.”

Judge Graeme Smith told Whitby: “You were in four locations shouting and disrupting, throwing missiles, and wearing a balaclava. You have shown genuine remorse in mitigation and you say it was out of character. It is regrettable having served the country and then acting in this way that it has impacted your family.”

Stoke Sentinel

Dad misses Stoke City game to hurl missiles near Hanley mosque – now he’s jailed

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November 26, 2024
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Dominic Cartwright has been locked up

Dad Dominic Cartwright hurled missiles towards a mosque and was up for a fight at the ‘forefront’ of the Hanley riots. The 34-year-old says he had only gone to Hanley after finishing his night shift to have a drink in Wetherspoons and watch Stoke City.

But he instead endured the ‘worst day of his life’ after becoming caught up in the August 3 riots. Now Cartwright, of Shawport Avenue, Bradwell, has been jailed for 28 months after admitting violent disorder.

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said: “On the video footage he shouts and eggs on the other side of the protest to have a fight. He is present when the crowd shouts ‘You’re all protecting nonces’. There were a number of people sitting in the road obstructing vehicles and Mr Cartwright was one of them. Some footage shows Mr Cartwright in the area of the mosque and he is seen to be throwing missiles. He picks up and throws something from the road and throws another item as he walks off with other protesters and is then ushered away from that area. He is captured on other footage causing issues for police. When a protester pushed back Mr Cartwright demonstrated and goaded for a fight.”

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Cartwright has 34 offences on his criminal record. But he had never been behind bars – until now.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said: “Mr Cartwright is disgusted, ashamed, and embarrassed by his offences on August 3. This has been the worst experience of his life.

“He has spent time in custody wisely and he has received an enhanced status eminently. There are letters from his mum, his son, his ex-partner who is the mother of his child, his friends, his little brother, his sisters, an offer of employment, and from his landlord. The fact they have all put pen to paper shows high regard for Mr Cartwright.

“On August 3 Mr Cartwright had finished working a night shift, so he went to Wetherspoons in Hanley to meet friends. The plan was to watch the Stoke City match but he was told by a police liaison officer that something was happening in Hanley so he decided to stay around.

“He accepts he was highly intoxicated and knows this is an aggravating feature, but the reason for his drinking was because in March he lost his grandmother and after years assisting his grandmother he couldn’t cope with that because he was not there when she passed away and he carries guilt. He is having bereavement therapy and has been drinking as a result of this.

“On the day in question Mr Cartwright really didn’t want to be on this earth anymore, and he was so drunk he didn’t know what he was doing. His position now whilst in custody is completely different; he’s sober, he is engaging with prison authorities offering programmes, and he is going to apply to a different prison because Dovegate doesn’t offer the courses he’d like to do, such as construction work.

“He is adamant that on his release he will never trouble the justice system again. He has shown he can be a law-abiding member of society and he will continue to do so, and he will continue being a good father to his son, and a good son to his parents.”

Judge Graeme Smith accepted Cartwright ‘has shown remorse’.

He added: “This has had a significant impact on your family, you have taken positive steps in custody, and you had grief for your grandmother. I sentence you to 28 months imprisonment.”

Stoke Sentinel