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The case of the 15-year-old boy from South Liverpool, who is represented by Joe Ely, is being called on now.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is supported in court by his mum.

He is charged with violent disorder on Paradise Street in the city centre on Saturday.

The boy is brought into the dock wearing a blue hoodie.

He speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address before pleading guilty to the single count.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk says: “The crown’s case is he attended Liverpool city centre on August 3 in respect of violent disorder. CCTV enquiries were made, and also members of the public were encouraged to send videos in. A TikTok video was sent in with CCTV, and a PCSO identified [the defendant] as being involved.”

The CCTV footage is played to the court.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk continues: “There is a line of police in front of him. There seems to be a confrontation with a member of the crowd.”

The video shows the youth taking his t-shirt off before picking up a paving slab and throwing it at the member of the public in question.

It then hits the man, who has his back turned, on the back of the head.

The teenager has no previous convictions, although he “successfully completed a community resolution in July last year”.

He was said to have been on bail with a condition not to attend the city centre at the time.

His case will be adjourned for sentencing in the youth court on September 17 in order to enable the completion of a pre-sentence report.

The defendant is released on bail until this date under the condition not to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcode areas, other than to attend appointments with his solicitors.

Judge Boswell tells the boy: “The court on the 17th of September is going to have to decide what the sentence should be. I will order a pre-sentence report. That will help the judge to make the right decision about what the sentence should be. They could send you to a young offenders’ prison or not. I am sure that you appreciate that this is a very serious matter.”

Liverpool Echo

Liam Riley formed a part of a “large crowd”, some of whom were “throwing rocks and bricks”

A thug downed “three or four pints” before calling police officers “traitors” during violent scenes of disorder in Liverpool city centre. Liam Riley, 41 and of Walton Road, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Monday, August 5 after he was charged with violent disorder in relation to events in the city centre on Saturday afternoon.

Prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court that Riley formed part of a “large crowd” of around 100 people, some of whom were “throwing rocks and bricks” towards police officers on Whitechapel, where a number of shop windows were also smashed. The prosecutor added: “The rest of the crowd began to run but the defendant stood his ground, shouting and waving his arms.”

Riley was taken to the ground by officers, but continued to shout calling them “traitors” and “Muslim lovers”. The court heard the defendant “appeared very drunk to officers”.

The defendant was found in possession of a banner reading “this is our city” following his arrest. Under interview, he “said he’d heard through word of mouth” of a protest at the Pier Head and attended “in sympathy”.

Riley was said to have been wearing a St George’s flag and “said he’d been to the pub and had three or four pints”, but “accepted he did get involved”. Riley, who was brought into the dock wearing a grey jumper and with a shaved head, spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth before he pleaded guilty to the violent disorder charge, as well as a count of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards a police officer.

Riley’s offending comes in relation to the violent disorder in Liverpool and around the country over the weekend. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after people were seen throwing bricks and debris at officers.

Scenes later spilled onto County Road in Walton, with rioters causing major damage in what police described as “serious violent disorder”. Chaos, violence and destruction followed as looters targeted businesses, bins were used to start fires and the Spellow Library & Community Hub was set alight.

Mark Dallas, defending, said there would be no application for bail and added his client has no previous convictions. Riley was remanded into custody by District Judge Timothy Boswell ahead of his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on August 30.

Liverpool Echo

The 41-year-old, Walton Road, is charged with violent disorder in relation to events in the city centre on Saturday. He is brought into the dock wearing a grey jumper and with a shaved head.

Riley speaks to confirm his name, date of birth and address and pleads guilty to the charge, as well as a count of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards a police officer.

Liverpool Echo

The court will now hear the case of William Morgan.

The 69-year-old, of Linton Street in Walton, is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place – namely a wooden bat – in relation to events on County Road on Saturday night.

Wearing a black t-shirt and sporting short grey hair in the dock, he speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth before pleading guilty to both charges.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk says: “Officers were deployed to County Road in response to widespread disorder. Officers were equipped with full riot gear. Approximately 100 people set fire to bins, damaged buildings and set fire to buildings.

“Mr Morgan was identified as throwing bricks towards officers. The defendant had a wooden bat in his hand. An officer attempted to detain him. The defendant resisted shouting to get off him and pulling his arms away and swearing at officers.”

Morgan has no previous convictions.

His solicitor Jeremy Coleman says: “It would seem he was out on saturday night on his way home and then became involved in it. He is somebody who suffers from COPD and high cholesterol.

“He’s a semi-retired welder. I invite you to grant him bail with conditions of a curfew and residence.”

Judge Boswell says: “Given the nature of the offences and widespread public disorder, there is plainly a real prospect of an immediate custodial sentence. By his own admission, he has been part of violent disorder when armed with a weapon.

Morgan is remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing at the crown court on August 29.

Court is now adjourned until 2pm.

Liverpool Echo

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard convicted burglar Adam Wharton was “attacked in the cells” before his case was called on

A man who burgled Spellow Library wearing a balaclava during the weekend’s riots said “nice one lad” as he was led to the cells. Adam Wharton, 28 and of Selwyn Street in Walton, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning, Monday, August 5 after he was charged with burglary in relation to serious disorder on Saturday night.

Wharton, who was brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, pleaded guilty to the charge put before him. His case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on August 29.

Before the proceedings started, the court heard from Wharton’s solicitor Isaac Mirza who said the defendant had been “attacked in the cells” prior to appearing. Mr Mirza said the defendant had “a bloodied nose and an injury to his eye”.

Wharton’s charge comes in relation to the violent disorder in Liverpool and around the country over the weekend. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after people were seen throwing bricks and debris at officers.

Scenes later spilled onto County Road in Walton, with rioters causing major damage in what police described as “serious violent disorder”. Chaos, violence and destruction followed as looters targeted businesses, bins were used to start fires and the Spellow Library & Community Hub was set alight.

Prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court: “Officers were dealing with large scale violent disorder. Officers dealt with arson, throwing bricks and glass. A police helicopter observed a male entering Spellow Hub Library, which had previously been burnt out and looted.”

The prosecutor said one man was found inside the library carrying a computer monitor. He added: “Outside, the police found this defendant. He was wearing a balaclava and appeared to be profusely sweating. The crown says this defendant was acting as a lookout.”

Mr Sanderson-Kirk told the court the offence carries a starting point of one year with a range of a community order to two years in prison. The court hears that Wharton has 16 previous convictions for 26 offences, including robbery and burglary.

His solicitor Mr Mirza said there would be no application for bail. The defendant put his hands up and said: “Am I allowed to speak?” District Judge Timothy Boswell told Mr Mirza to speak to his client, before addressing the defendant.

He said: “Mr Wharton, I am committing your case for sentence to the crown court. It will be up to the crown court to decide what the right sentence is.” Following a query regarding the preparation of a pre-sentence report, the defendant said “nice one lad” as he was led to the cells.
Liverpool Echo

Kristofer Thomas Kearney – known online as Charlie Big Potatoes – was extradited from Alicante to face charges last year

An alleged far-right fitness guru for a British group known as Patriotic Alternative has admitted sharing a stash of terrorist documents on social media.

Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 38, is originally from Liverpool but was based in Alicante before he was extradited from Spain to face charges last September.

On Wednesday, Kearney, who was known online as Charlie Big Potatoes, pleaded guilty to two offences of disseminating terrorist publications.

Kearney, who entered his plea at the Old Bailey by video link from Chelmsford prison, is believed to be the first member of Patriotic Alternative to be convicted of terrorist offences. The offences related to two Telegram posts on January 23 and March 8 2021 which disseminated dozens of documents glorifying and encouraging extreme right-wing terror attacks.

Ged O’Connor, defending, told the court Kearney’s pleas were on the basis he was “reckless” as to whether the effect of his conduct was to encourage terrorism. However, prosecutor Naomi Parsons told the court the Crown’s case was “consistent with intent”.

Judge Richard Marks KC said the issue of Kearney’s motivation would be decided at a two-day hearing on May 4 and 5 before he passes sentence. Kearney is alleged to have created a Telegram channel entitled “Charlie Big Potatoes” in November 2020.

In 2021, he posted a numbered list and links to some 89 extreme right-wing documents. Among them were the manifestos of Anders Breivik, who murdered 77 people in Norway, and that of Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Two other far-right extremist manifestos related to Texas Walmart mass killer Patrick Crusius and John Earnest, who shot people at a Californian synagogue in 2019.

Kearney’s motivation in making the terrorist material available was said to be in the context of his racist ideology and support for Patriotic Alternative, whose policies including deporting non-whites.

Previously, Kearney is said to have been an active member of neo-Nazi group National Action until a week before it was banned in December 2016 for glorifying the murder of MP Jo Cox.

He then switched to Patriotic Alternative, another extreme right-wing organisation that is not currently proscribed by Government, it is claimed. It is believed he became “head of fitness” at Patriotic Alternative and regularly shared posts from its accounts such as White Lives Matter banners.

Liverpool Echo

An alleged far-right fitness guru for a British group known as Patriotic Alternative has admitted sharing a stash of terrorist documents on social media.

Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 38, is originally from Liverpool but was based in Alicante before he was extradited from Spain to face charges last September.

On Wednesday, Kearney, who was known online as Charlie Big Potatoes, pleaded guilty to two offences of disseminating terrorist publications.

Kearney, who entered his plea at the Old Bailey by video link from Chelmsford prison, is believed to be the first member of Patriotic Alternative to be convicted of terrorist offences.

The offences related to two Telegram posts on January 23 and March 8 2021 which disseminated dozens of documents glorifying and encouraging extreme right-wing terror attacks.

Ged O’Connor, defending, told the court Kearney’s pleas were on the basis he was “reckless” as to whether the effect of his conduct was to encourage terrorism.

However, prosecutor Naomi Parsons told the court the Crown’s case was “consistent with intent”.

Judge Richard Marks KC said the issue of Kearney’s motivation would be decided at a two-day hearing on May 4 and 5 before he passes sentence.

Kearney is alleged to have created a Telegram channel entitled “Charlie Big Potatoes” in November 2020.

In 2021, he posted a numbered list and links to some 89 extreme right-wing documents.

Among them were the manifestos of Anders Breivik, who murdered 77 people in Norway, and that of Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Two other far-right extremist manifestos related to Texas Walmart mass killer Patrick Crusius and John Earnest, who shot people at a Californian synagogue in 2019.

Kearney’s motivation in making the terrorist material available was said to be in the context of his racist ideology and support for Patriotic Alternative, whose policies including deporting non-whites.

Previously, Kearney is said to have been an active member of neo-Nazi group National Action until a week before it was banned in December 2016 for glorifying the murder of MP Jo Cox.

He then switched to Patriotic Alternative, another extreme right-wing organisation that is not currently proscribed by Government, it is claimed.

It is believed he became “head of fitness” at Patriotic Alternative and regularly shared posts from its accounts such as White Lives Matter banners.

He also set up a channel called “Fascist Fitness” to hand out exercise and fitness tips.

Kearney, who spoke only to enter his guilty pleas, was remanded into custody until his next hearing at the Old Bailey.

County Press

A judge said John Dunbar’s ‘shameful performance’ at Liverpool One had no place in our city

A racist rapist was told he doesn’t belong in Liverpool after he hurled “vile abuse” at Christmas shoppers.

John Dunbar, aka Stuart Partington, was filmed in Liverpool One launching a tirade of abuse at three Asian men last December.

The 57-year-old was captured on film hurling insults such as “c***s” and “horrible b******s” at passers-by.

Dunbar initially followed two Asian men while telling people to “f*** off” and saying he was Muslim.

After he was challenged by onlookers he told people he had been released from a 26 year prison sentence.

On Friday, a judge at Liverpool Crown Court blasted Dunbar’s behaviour, telling him there is “no place” for racism in Liverpool, which she described as a “welcoming and inclusive city”.

Judge Louis Brandon, sentencing, said: “Liverpool is a welcoming and inclusive city.

“That was demonstrated by the way that those who had the misfortune to deal with you on that day sought to protect each other.

“There is no place in this city for behaviour like that or people like you who hold such offensive views and prowl the streets.

“The public need protecting from you.”

Fiona McNeill, prosecuting, explained that the incident took place on December 2 at around 5pm when Dunbar “approached two Asian males” while “acting in an aggressive manner”.

Ms McNeill told the court that Dunbar followed the two men while shouting at them.

She said: “He was seen approaching two males, telling people to f*** off and said he was Muslim.”

Ms McNeill said he had asked one of the men “if he had cut to his hand” as he waved his bloodied arm in the air.

She added: “He seemed to be accusing the man for the injury to his hand” and is “heard to tell them to stop ganging up on him”.

Footage of the incident was played in the court, and in the video Dunbar shouts at a third man: “I’m not a f***ing radical alright”, adding: “You want to f*** with me bro? I’ve just done 26 years in prison, you mother f***er.

“You wanna f*** with me? I’ll bring the f***ing rain, the f***ing dogs down on you mother f***ers. Now f*** off.”

In the horrific abuse he calls onlookers “c***s” and “horrible b******s” while yelling “that’s right, keep walking”.

Dunbar then continues, and even says: “This is my country, don’t f***ing invade my country with your f***ing s***.”

Gesturing to a cut on his hand Dunbar says “E-N-G-L-I-S-H, English, see that? That’s f***ing English blood”.

In the video Dunbar continues to abuse members of the public and approached Lila Tamea, who filmed the ordeal, and said she had “no words” for the racism.

Ms Tamea was protected by other members of the public who intervened.

He also approaches someone off camera, while a woman can be heard saying “stop being a racist” and shouts: “Let’s go you Muslim c***.”

Footage from the body worn camera on a police officer shows an officer asking about the cut on his hand and offering to take Dunbar to the hospital, which he declines.

When asked what had happened Dunbar replied “I haven’t a clue” and admitted to the officer he had had a drink.

He then becomes agitated saying “I don’t need police, I’m not causing trouble” before the officers arrested him outside WHSmith for a public order offence.

A witness can be heard telling the officer “There’s been about three or four Asian guys, he has thrown racist abuse, I think he has called one a foreign b*****d”.

When arrested Dunbar was silent and refused to provide his name, but then his outburst continues as he shouts: “F*** you mate, f*** you right listening to them.

“So you’re saying I’m being racist what’s racist?”

Dunbar then resists arrests and continues to struggle before officers apply leg restraints and a spit hood and find a razorblade.

He was later charged with assaulting an emergency worker after he headbutted one of the police officers.

Dunbar has 26 previous convictions for 60 offences.

The court heard that in 1991 Dunbar was jailed for rape and a breach of a suspended sentence.

Ms McNeill explained that in 1995 was jailed for life with a recommendation of at least eight years in prison after robbing and terrorising female staff in four shops with a knife and imitation gun.

In his rampage a judge said he “terrorised and tormented” his victims over six hours in Bolton town centre.

Mr Justice Forbes told Dunbar: “You have shown no pity for your victims or remorse for these grave crimes.

“In one case you sexually attacked one of them – it was as bad a case of indecent assault as it is possible to imagine.

“Words cannot express the true measure of the horror and degradation you inflicted upon your victim.”

Dunbar had entered one Bolton store where he produced a handgun and tied up one 40-year-old female victim before doing the same in a second shop.

Dunbar went to a third shop, producing the knife and a handgun and made off with cash before going on to rob the fourth store, where he was “striking the victim several times with a gun causing wounds to her head”.

John Dunbar, aka Stuart Partington, 57

David Lister, defending, said: “The greatest mitigation is his guilty plea. He didn’t plead guilty at his earliest plea trial and preparation hearing, it wasn’t long after he entered his guilty pleas.

“I have had a conference with him before the hearing, he does wish for me to express his apologies and regret for the clear distress he caused to the members of the public who had to witness his frankly appalling behaviour.

“He is remorseful for that behaviour. It is clear Dunbar didn’t cope well in his release from custody.”

Mr Lister explained Dunbar had been serving a 26 year sentence and had been released for six weeks before his rampage.

Mr Listed said Dunbar “wasn’t in receipt of the support he evidently needed”.

Dunbar, of Great Howard Street, Liverpool city centre, admitted two counts of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, and one count of resisting or obstructing a constable, possession of a bladed article and racially aggravated harassment.

Judge Brandon, summarising the offences, said: “You caused yourself an injury with a blade you were carrying at a busy shopping centre in December when the area was full of families.

“You embarked upon a racist rampage, hurling vile abuse at two young men.”

Judge Brandon said Dunbar then “turned on another member of the public” as he abused other innocent bystanders.

“Nobody should have to put up with that shameful behaviour.”

The judge added: “There were children present, it is obvious from that footage there were a lot of people present in that area Christmas shopping.”

Judge Brandon, referring to the racially aggravated offences, said: “It’s hard to envisage a more serious offence of its type, you continually made racist comments.”

The judge ruled that “serious alarm or distress was caused when you waved around your bloody arm”.

Judge Brandon said: “It is clear from the footage you were embarking on a shameful performance.”

After commenting that he had been under the influence of alcohol at the time the judge said: “I have considered all that has been said on your behalf.”

Judge Brandon noted that Dunbar had mental health difficulties but said: “It has not been suggested any of your difficulties affect your culpability and I do not find that they do.”

“In reality there is little that can be said to mitigate these offences save your guilty pleas.”

Referring to Dunbar’s previous offences Judge Brandon said: “You have made a career out of serious criminal offending.”

Dunbar was jailed for three years.

Liverpool Echo

A man who posted racist tweets about Liverpool FC footballer Mohamed Salah has received a suspended jail sentence.

During an online chat with Liverpool fans, Gary Hyland, 32, from Bootle, Merseyside, joked about the Egyptian striker praying to Mecca at half-time and sent altered images of the whole team praying to Allah.

A supporter asked him: “What’s the issue with Muslims lad? Can you even articulate it?”

Hyland – reportedly an Everton fan – then sent a photograph of Salah with a suicide vest superimposed on the top part of the player’s body as well as making racist remarks about Salah and sending further images that poked fun at people praying to Allah.

The tweets on August 6 were reported to Merseyside Police and two days later Hyland was arrested at his home.

Hyland later said to officers: “I know I’ll get charged. It was me.”

Earlier this month he pleaded guilty to racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment and obstructing an officer in the execution of his duty.

On Friday he was given a six-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, said the Crown Prosecution Service.

Sefton magistrates also ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and 14 days of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, including attending a Promoting Human Dignity Course.

Angela Conlan, of Mersey Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: “He pleaded guilty and admitted what he’d done was stupid. These sorts of remarks fuel racial hatred and are extremely offensive to people from the race or religion that they are aimed at.

“Mohamed Salah does not deserve to be the object of abuse and neither does any person in a civilised society. The tweets were sent in the early hours of the morning and Hyland turned a discussion into a racist rant.

“That is not acceptable. Let this be a lesson to everyone that words can hurt and society has standards that must be upheld.”

Evening Standard

The judge told Kendrick he had abused his victims for his "own selfish and sexual enjoyment"

The judge told Kendrick he had abused his victims for his “own selfish and sexual enjoyment”

A “dangerous predator” who raped two young boys and sexually abused four other children has been jailed for 18 years.

Gerard Kendrick, of Vauxhall, was sentenced to a further six years on licence after pleading guilty to 16 sex offences at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 32-year-old abused three boys and three girls, aged between six and 12, over two decades.

His first offence was committed when he was 10 years old.

Detectives were led to Kendrick when they found a large number of indecent images of children on the computer of a known sex offender in Lancashire.

They used technology to establish that the photos, which included images of one of the rape victims, had been taken at Kendrick’s home and distributed via the internet.

‘Fetishes and perversions’

The rape of a six-year-old boy took place in the last two years, the court heard.

Judge Robert Warnock told Kendrick he had abused his victims for his “own selfish and sexual enjoyment”.

“You did not have any consideration whatsoever for the welfare or innocence of those children. It seems that you regarded them as objects available to satiate your own fetishes and perversions,” he added.

Det Sgt Richie Shillito from Merseyside Police said: “Gerard Kendrick subjected his six victims to vicious and violent sexual assaults for his own sexual gratification.”

He praised the “bravery and courage” of the victims that “led to a dangerous sexual predator being sent to jail”.

Kendrick, who has no previous convictions, was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. He will have to serve 12 years before being able to apply for parole.

BBC News