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Longest prison sentence so far for violent disorder in Merseyside

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October 11, 2024
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Lukas Allen threw bricks at officers, destroyed a garden wall and then broke into a shop in Southport

The longest prison sentence so far for Merseyside disorder has been handed to a man from Litherland after he was jailed today. Lukas Allen, 23, of Kirkstone Road North, in Litherland, threw bricks at officers, destroyed a garden wall and then broke into a shop in Southport.

Violence originally broke out in Southport on July 30 when hundreds of people clashed with police following the deaths of three young girls – Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Da Silva Aguiar – in a mass stabbing the previous day.

Allen pleaded guilty to violent disorder, burglary and possession of a controlled Class A drug and was sentenced to four years and two months in jail today, Friday October 11, at Liverpool Crown Court. Allen could be identified on footage as being heavily involved in the appalling scenes in Southport on Tuesday, July 30.

Officers were able to prove that Allen hurled missiles at officers and then helped kick down a nearby garden wall in order to get more bricks to throw. Footage later shows him breaking into a shop, which caused significant damage to the front and inside of the store. A number of people entered the shop and CCTV shows Allen climbing over the counter and taking various items from the shelves.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: “The actions of Allen were absolutely disgraceful and there is no room in society for such violence and abhorrent behaviour. Allen not only hurled bricks at officers, but also caused significant harm and fear for the residents and business owners who live in Southport.

“The mindless actions of those involved is perfectly demonstrated by Allen and others destroying a garden wall and causing damage and stealing from a local business. The community were then left to pick up the pieces once the violent mob left the area. I think it’s right that Allen has received a significant sentencing and I sincerely hope that he reflects on his appalling actions while he’s in prison.”

The total number of arrests for violent disorder in Merseyside now stands at 126 people, with 88 charged and 67 people sentenced to a combined 145 years and two months. We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Liverpool Echo

Baby faced thug told police he ‘ruined his whole life’

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September 19, 2024
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Jackson Hegarty was part of a mob that surrounded a police officer who was knocked off his motorbike and assaulted

A baby-faced thug told police he had “ruined his whole life because of one day” after he participated in a city centre riot.

Teenager Jackson Hegarty, identified by his distinctive yellow JD bag, went into the city centre to meet friends but ended up joining a violent mob that engaged in serious disorder by damaging vehicles and local businesses and attacking police officers.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Thursday, September 19 that the violent disorder followed the deaths of three young girls – Bebe King, Alice Da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe – who died following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift dance party on July 29. Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, told the court: “What followed was widespread violent disorder fuelled by misinformation and racial hatred”.

She said between July 30 and August 3 between 225 and 275 officers were deployed each day to three major incidents of violent disorder in Merseyside. The offending of Hegarty, 18, relates to the violent rioting seen in Liverpool’s city centre on August 3 that started at around 3pm and lasted several hours.

The court heard on the day in question the teenager had got the train into the city centre to meet friends between noon and 2pm. However, at the same time a large crowd had gathered for a march that was billed as “save our kids”. However, the protests soon turned violent with rioters clashing with police officers and ransacking businesses.

Ms Nemat told the court that Mohammed Omair, who owns the I Fix Phones Repair Centre on Church Street in the city centre, made the decision to close his shop shortly after 3pm due to concerns about the disorder. Mr Omair, who has been in the UK for 10 years, said he feared for both his and his staff’s safety after hearing chants of “you bloody Muslims”, “you f***ing p****” and “go back to your country”.

The court heard as he was closing his shop a group of around 40 people, many of them with their faces covered, grabbed the shutters and forced them open. Ms Nemat said some used metal poles to keep them open while another brandished a knife at the terrified owner.

Ms Nemat said: “The defendant is captured on CCTV approaching the shutter and kicking it before beckoning towards people. He then holds open the shutter enabling others to exit the store.” Mr Omair, his staff and three members of the public sheltered at the back of the store while the mob stole around £100,000 of his stock.

Shortly after, Hegarty engaged in further disorder on the Strand. CCTV footage played in court showed the teenager gesturing towards a line of police officers. He is said to have squirted a liquid towards the officers and thrown a number of empty drink cans. CCTV also showed him “high five” another person after they let off a smoke bomb in the direction of police.

A police officer riding a motorbike was attacked during the riot. The officer, who has been named as PC Cumberlidge in previous court appearances, was kicked from his bike and attacked by the mob. Ms Nemat said: “The crowd charged towards the police officer who was pushed off his bike by another member of the group. A metal pole was thrown towards the police officer.

“While the police officer is being attacked the defendant gestures towards him and approaches him. Another member of the public stands between the defendant and the officer and gestures to him to stop or go away.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Omair said he sustained small glass cuts to his hands when his shop was looted. However, he said his mental health is suffering and he has to go and check any noise for fear of further attack. He said: “I feel like this was a personal attack. I am terrified to take my daughter to nursery because I am worried about her safety.”

He added: “I have lived here for 10 years and this is the first time I have experienced anything like this. I can’t believe these people are from Liverpool. I am so shocked by their act. I believe there was a racial undertone. I came to this country legally. Illegal immigration has nothing to do with me.”

The court heard Hegarty handed himself in to police after his picture was circulated. In a police interview he admitted that he threw missiles and swore at police. He accepted “he ruined his whole life because of one day”. He was charged with violent disorder and burglary and admitted the two offences at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

Daniel Travers, mitigating, told the court that his client was “appalled by his actions”. Mr Travers said: “He was carried away in the group mentality and followed the crowd wanting to be part of something.” He told the court his client wasn’t racially motivated but was instead “looking to belong to something”.

Mr Travers said: “Although his behaviour is appalling and unacceptable, it’s behaviour he won’t be repeating. He is realistic and understands there is a public interest in punishing those responsible. Mr Travers added in his client’s pre-sentence report the teenager “was impressed by the way police and prison staff treated him with care and kindness”.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “Although your conduct encouraged others, you didn’t play a leading role. Although some involved were racially motivated, I can’t be sure you share their motivation but I am sure that you must have been aware of a general atmosphere of racial hostility. You have no criminal convictions and I accept you didn’t go to take part in the violent disorder and you didn’t personally steal anything.”

But Judge Flewitt told Hegarty his actions had left a shop owner “feeling traumatised” and a number of officers had been seriously injured. The judge sentenced Hegarty, formerly of Ryefield Lane in Litherland but most recently of HMP Altcourse, to 20 months’ imprisonment in a young persons institute.

The teenager blew a kiss to a dozen members of his family in the public dock as he was led to the cells.
Liverpool Echo

Nuclear industry worker jailed after laughing during Southport disorder

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August 30, 2024
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Gavin Pinder, 47, has been jailed for two years and four months.

A “highly-paid” nuclear power industry worker who laughed as he took part in disorder outside a mosque in Southport has been jailed for two years and four months.

More than 50 police officers were injured and a carrier was set alight during riots outside Southport mosque on July 30, the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Gavin Pinder, 47, had a “highly paid, responsible job” at the Hinkley Point power station in Somerset, but had been at his home in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, spending time with family when he said he was contacted by an associate who made him aware of a protest that was to take place in Southport.

Michael Johnson, defending, said Pinder believed the protest was focused on the belief that “something was being held back from the public in relation to the identity or circumstances of the person who had been detained” following the knife attack.

He said Pinder, who admitted violent disorder, had travelled to Southport and congregated with others in a pub.

“He understood the focus of the protest was to be a police station where he believed the detainee to be held. He did not know that a mosque was going to be the focus of the protest and didn’t learn that until he arrived back in Manchester the day after,” Mr Johnson said.

Footage of the disorder showed Pinder shout at officers, throw a traffic cone and throw a smaller object towards them.

He was arrested at a pub in Manchester on August 17 and in interview told police he had been struck by an officer with a baton after asking why they were not releasing information about the suspect.

The court heard Pinder, father to a four-year-old, had 10 previous convictions, including for breaching an international football banning order.

Sentencing him, Judge Simon Medland KC said: “You threw two objects at police, were clearly seen to be laughing and taking the view, perhaps, this had a recreational element to you.

“How this sits with the character references in your case and your highly responsible, very well-paid job is difficult to reconcile.”

He was jailed along with Jonathan Duerden, 31, and Joseph Buckley, 44, who also admitted violent disorder.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said Duerden, a handyman from Colne, Lancashire, threw a brick that bounced off the top of a police carrier and encouraged the crowd to advance towards police.

He told police he travelled to Southport to lay flowers at a vigil, but said he had taken a cocktail of drugs including cannabis, ketamine and cocaine along with alcohol.

Andrew McInnes, defending, told the court the defendant had ADHD, was barely literate or numerate and his family believed he had been addicted to cannabis since the age of 13.

He said: “It certainly seems this defendant is more of a follower than a leader.”

Duerden was jailed for two years.

The court heard Buckley, of Litherland, Merseyside, was the joint owner of a civil engineering business and was seen on footage throwing a brick around a corner towards police.

In interview, he said he had thrown the brick because he was angry after an officer “assaulted him with a shield”.

Des Lennon, defending, said Buckley had believed he was going to a peaceful vigil but had stayed for about two hours after violence broke out because of “morbid curiosity”.

Jailing him for 16 months, Judge Medland said: “You are an intelligent and capable person and you could readily have left. You didn’t, you involved yourself in this.”

Evening Standard

Smiling thug hurled missile at police but didn’t realise he knew officer

By
August 20, 2024
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Another rioter gave a thumbs up to a judge today as he was jailed over the violent scenes in Southport

A rioter “smiled in satisfaction” after hurling a missile at police, but was recognised by an officer he went to school with.

Paul Dryhurst, Luke Summerfield and David Engleby all launched objects towards PCs as violent scenes unfolded 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, with the latter giving a thumbs up to a judge as he was jailed.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, August 19, that evening prayers were in progress at Southport Islamic Society Mosque on St Luke’s Road when worshippers were “made aware of a significant number of white males gathering outside”. Members of the crowd began shouting vile chants and throwing objects towards the building and police officers at the scene, more than 50 of who were injured during the incident.

Simon Leong, prosecuting, described how Engleby was seen filming the violence on his mobile phone and chanting “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?”. The 29-year-old, of Scarisbrick New Road in Southport, then “surged forward with the crowd” before picking a brick up from the floor and throwing it towards PCs.

He subsequently followed this up with a second “projectile”. Engleby was identified from video footage provided to the police and handed himself in at Southport Police Station on August 12, having been circulated as wanted.

His criminal record shows two previous convictions from 2013 concerning the theft of bicycles and going equipped for theft. Olivia Beesley, defending, told the court: “He is lightly convicted. There has been a gap in offending since the last conviction, when he was 18 years old. This is his first experience of custody. He understands that it will not be a short experience of custody.

“He tells me that he was on good terms with his family, who he was estranged from for a matter of years. However, this incident has led to them cutting him off. He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was sectioned when he was 13 years old. He was in respite foster care from when he was eight years old, and this progressed to full time care when he was 15.

“He secured accommodation for himself and rebuilt the relationship with his family. He worked hard to build that relationship and is sad to now have lost it due to his actions.

“He understands that he has ruined that in a matter of hours and says he deserves it. He wants me to convey his remorse to the court. Quite frankly, he sees his behaviour as disgusting.”

Dryhurst, of Gale Road in Litherland, was meanwhile brought to justice after a “police constable recognised him as someone with whom he went to school”. He was also identified in footage as he was “slightly shorter than most of the people there” and due to his “distinctive” green hooded top.

This film showed the 33-year-old “throwing an object” at two officers and recording the scenes with his phone, as well as “surging forward with the rest of the crowd” and then standing on the wall of a resident’s front garden. Dryhurst surrendered himself at Marsh Lane Police Station on August 11 and “claimed he had gone to Southport to attend the vigil, but somehow found himself caught up in the wrong group” and was “trapped and scared”.

He has previous convictions for possession of cannabis in 2000 and assault in 2012. His counsel Desmond Lennon said: “He has not been in a position like this ever before in his life.

“He blames nobody but himself for his behaviour. He is only sorry and ashamed for that behaviour. His last conviction was in 2012. Since then, he has led a blameless and industrious life.

“He worked hard as a self employed joiner. He is held in his regard by those who he has had professional dealings with. He employs two people frequently and another two who work on and off with him. His own behaviour has effectively led to unemployment for four people who relied on him.

“He bitterly regrets his behaviour. He really is sorry for what he has done. He has no right wing affiliation or political interest whatsoever. He has no religious bias or adverse views about other religions.

“He did not organise this and he did not instigate this. He has gone along to go to the vigil, but saw this event unfolding and got swept up in this activity and acted in a shameful and reprehensible way.

“His mother is devastated over the fact that he is in this position. His mother and father work for the ambulance service and are at a complete loss after someone they believed had overcome earlier problems and built up a business and been in a stable relationship for almost 15 years with plans to acquire their own home. They have all been destroyed by his own stupidity.”

Liverpool Echo

Trio jailed for throwing missiles at police near to a Southport mosque

By
August 19, 2024
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Three more men have been jailed for taking part in violent disorder which broke out in Southport the day after three girls were stabbed to death.

The men all admitted taking part in a disturbance close to Southport mosque the day after the stabbings.

Violence was sparked by false online rumours the suspect in the Southport attack was a Muslim.

Footage played to Liverpool Crown Court showed the men throwing missiles at police and the crowd can also be heard chanting anti-Islamic slogans.

David Engleby, 29, from Southport, was jailed for two years and four months
Self-employed joiner Paul Dryhurst, 33, from Litherland, was jailed for two years
Luke Summerfield, 33, from Aston under Lyne in Greater Manchester, was jailed for two years and two months

Through their defence barristers all three men expressed their remorse at what they had done.

The court heard Dryhurst’s parents both work for the ambulance service and are “baffled” at their son’s behaviour.

Judge Watson said: “It would be wrong and misleading to look at the actions of individuals in isolation because violence feeds on itself. Events gain a momentum of their own.”

BBC News