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Large scale disorder broke out across the country after three young children were killed in Southport

They were days that will live in infamy in Greater Manchester’s history. Division and chaos reigned.

The deaths of three young girls in Southport led to a wave of disorder throughout the UK, and Manchester did not avoid such trouble. Wholly inaccurate claims about the identity and ethnicity of the alleged attacker spread online.

Fuelled by anger and inspired by disinformation, thugs took to the streets intent on causing trouble. Disorder erupted outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Newton Heath, on July 31, after a Facebook post swirled that afternoon.

“Let’s get them out,” it menacingly declared. Missiles were thrown towards the building, a bus was attacked and its driver injured, and asylum seekers, vulnerable individuals seeking help, were terrorised.

The far-right sought to capitalise on the division and called a demonstration for Manchester city centre on Saturday, August 3. The incident soon turned violent. Shocking video footage emerged of a lone black man being attacked by a baying mob.

Thugs then advanced down Mosley Street and stormed a Sainsbury’s store as innocent customers tried to shop. A vape store came under heavy attack, as yobs kicked its windows with a road sign being launched at it.

The following day, the trouble moved to Bolton. Another demonstration had been called by the far-right, with counter-protestors also present. Missiles were thrown as police dealt with mass disorder. Ever since, police have been tracking down and charging rioters.

Over the past three months, dozens of yobs have felt the full force of the law as their cases were speedily brought through the courts. The M.E.N. has extensively covered the ensuing court cases, and have now analysed the sentences handed down since August.

Of those in the dock, 39 were men, six were women and seven were children, the youngest being a 12-year-old boy. Jail sentences totalling more than 80 years have been handed down. The longest single jail sentence was imposed on a ‘violent racist’ for his part in a disgraceful attack in Piccadilly Gardens.

In chronological order from August until this month, here are the 52 rioters who faced justice.

1) James Nelson

James Nelson (Image: GMP)

Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two months in prison on August 6 and ordered to pay £4,999 compensation at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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2) Mathew Edge

Mathew Edge (Image: GMP)

Edge, 34, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 12 months in prison on August 13 at Bolton Crown Court.

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3) Paul Smith

Paul Smith (Image: GMP)

Smith, 21, of Keynsham Road, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and 10 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

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4) Joseph Ley

Joseph Ley (Image: GMP)

Ley, 30, of Hardman Street, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years and two months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

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5) Oliver Chapman

Oliver Chapman
Oliver Chapman (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Chapman, 23, of Duke Street, Radcliffe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.

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6) Daniel Hanslip

Daniel Hanslip (Image: GMP)

Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and two months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

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7) Colin Demulder

Colin Demulder
Colin Demulder (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and eight months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

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8) Kane Kelly

Kane Kelly (Image: GMP)

Kelly, 24, of Woodford Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and five months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

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9) Anthony Livesey

Anthony Livesey (Image: GMP)

Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and breaching a suspended sentence. Sentenced to four years and two months, comprising of 32 months for the violent disorder, and a further 18 months for being in breach of a suspended sentence, on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

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10) Lynden Parker

Lynden Parker (Image: GMP)

Parker, 26, of Douglas Street, Salford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

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11) Thomas Ward

(Image: MEN Media)

Ward, 35, of Colliery Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and exposure. Sentenced to 32 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

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12) Graham Brookes

Graham Brookes (Image: GMP)

Brookes, 42, of Frogmore Avenue, Hyde, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

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13) Dane Freeman

Freeman, 25, of Timson Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court

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14) Warren Gilchrest

Warren Gilchrest (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Gilchrest, 52, of North Road, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court.

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15) Lee Upton

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Upton, 54, of Bailey Lane, Wythenshawe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison on August 22 at Manchester Crown Court.

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16) Carl Ryan

(Image: GMP)

Ryan, 55, of Collin Avenue, Gorton, Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

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17) Mark Bridgeford

(Image: GMP)

Bridgeford, 50, of Canon Street, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

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18) Niall Charnock

Niall Charnock (Image: PA)

Charnock, 31, of Edward Street, Farnworth, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 27 at Bolton Crown Court.

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19) Lewis Whitworth

Lewis Whitworth
Lewis Whitworth

Whitworth, 30, of Costabeck Walk, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on August 28 at Manchester Crown Court.

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20) Nigel Simpson

Nigel Simpson (Image: GMP)

Simpson, 57, of Deerfold, Chorley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on August 28 at Bolton Crown Court.

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21) Charlie Mott

Charlie Mott
Charlie Mott (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Mott, 28, of Barton Close, Eccles, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft from a shop and criminal damage. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on September 1 at Manchester Crown Court.

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22) Dane Potter

Dane Potter (Image: GMP)

Potter, 39, of Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on September 4 at Bolton Crown Court.

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23) Scott Chadwick

Scott Chadwick (Image: GMP)

Chadwick, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft and violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and six months in prison on September 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

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24) Kye McGlade

Kye McGlade (Image: GMP)

McGlade, 24, of Oldham Street, Manchester. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft and criminal damage. Sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on September 10 at Manchester Crown Court.

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25) 14-year-old boy

Footage has emerged appearing to show a group of demonstrators smashing up a vape shop amid protests in Manchester city centre on Saturday (August 3). (Image: Submitted)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and obstructing a police constable. Sentenced to a ten month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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26) 15-year-old boy

Police responding to a protest in Newton Heath
Police responding to a protest in Newton Heath (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and assaulting an emergency worker. Sentenced to a 12 month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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27) 12-year-old boy

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder at Newton Heath on July 31 and Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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28) 16-year-old boy

Riot police in Bolton last Sunday
Riot police in Bolton last Sunday (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. Sentenced to an 18 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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29) Andrew Phillips

Andrew Phillips
Andrew Phillips (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Phillips, 28, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.

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30) David Green

David Green
David Green (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Green, 41, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.

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31) Kemmy Grange

Police responding to a protest in Newton Heath
Police responding to a protest in Newton Heath (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Grange, 20, of Elysian Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and possession of a class B drug. Sentenced to two and a half years in prison on September 14 at Manchester Crown Court.

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32) Tracy Pearson

Tracy Pearson (Image: GMP)

Pearson, 53, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

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33) Michelle Jibson

Michelle Jibson (Image: GMP)

Jibson, 45, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.

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34) 13-year-old boy

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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35) 14-year-old boy

(Image: ABNM Photography)

The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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36) Ryan Leckey

Ryan Leckey was jailed for 16 months
Ryan Leckey was jailed for 16 months (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Leckey, 24, of Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

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37) Darren Butler

Darren Butler was jailed for 17 months
Darren Butler was jailed for 17 months (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Butler, 42, of Cattlin Way, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.

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38) 17-year-old boy

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The boy pleaded guilty to criminal damage and violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to a 12 month intensive youth rehabilitation order on September 19 at Manchester Magistrates Court.

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39) Liam Ryan

Liam Ryan (Image: gmp)

Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on September 20 at Manchester Crown Court.

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40) Nevey Smith

Nevey Smith (Image: GMP)

Smith, 21, of West Street, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month community order on September 23 at Manchester Crown Court.

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41) Zakaria Sadiq

Zakaria Sadiq (Image: GMP)

Sadiq, 21, of Bentinck Street, Farnworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on September 25 at Bolton Crown Court.

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42) Thomas Richard

Thomas Richard
Thomas Richard (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Richard, 56, of Kingsland Close, Miles Platting. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on September 25 at Manchester Crown Court.

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43) Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Smith, 42, of Farnborough Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.

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44) Lindsay Keenan

Lindsay Keenan (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Keenan, 50, of Glen Grove, Middleton. Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.

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45) Steven Miller

Steven Miller (Image: Facebook)

Miller, 38, Kennington Avenue, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 15 months in prison on September 27 at Manchester Crown Court.

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46) Shaun Holt

Shaun Holt (Image: GMP)

Holt, 42, of Oak Road, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on October 3 at Manchester Crown Court.

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47) Anthony Whitelegg

Anthony Whitelegg (Image: GMP)

Whitelegg, 40, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

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48) Aaron Davy

Aaron Davy (Image: GMP)

Davy, 18, of Liney Road, Cheadle. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

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49) Daylan Burgess

Daylan Burgess (Image: GMP)

Burgess, 20, of Regent Square, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.

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50) Laurence Dunkerley

Manchester Crown Court (Image: ABNM Photography)

Dunkerley, 37, of Marlborough Drive, Failsworth, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 7 at Manchester Crown Court.

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51) Aaron Johnson

Aaron Johnson (Image: gmp)

Johnson, 33, of Criterion Street, Stockport, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred in Stockport on August 5. Sentenced to two years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court on October 10.

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52) Destiny Waugh

A beauty therapy student turned up to a riot in a yellow dress and bought eggs that were handed out to teenagers and launched ‘as missiles’ towards police during violent disorder in Newton Heath. Destiny Waugh, 19, walked to a Shell garage near to where the scenes of disorder were unfolding, on Oldham Road on July 31 this year, and bought two cartons of six eggs, Manchester Crown Court heard. (Image: GMP)

Waugh, 19, of Risbury Walk, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months at Manchester Crown Court on October 15.

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She turned up to a riot wearing a yellow dress and holding a box of eggs – then ended up in court

Manchester Evening News

Mathew Edge, 34, has been jailed for a year

A balaclava-clad thug who was armed with a hammer before violence erupted in Bolton said he’d made a ‘very bad stupid mistake’.

Mathew Edge, 34, has been jailed for a year for being in possession of an offensive weapon following large scale disorder in the town, after the death of three girls in Southport. He is the first offender to be sentenced in a Greater Manchester crown court in connection with public disorder following the killings of the children.

Opposing groups goaded each other outside Bolton town hall on Sunday, August 4, with one set of protestors facing off a rival group of counter demonstrators. Bricks and other missiles were launched at police officers trying to keep rival factions apart.

Bolton was one of a number of areas with an ‘increased level of unrest and disorder in reaction to the tragic events in Southport’, Bolton Crown Court heard. At about 1pm that day, police became aware of a man wearing a balaclava who was part of the crowds outside the town hall, prosecutor Kate Gaskell said. An officer approached Edge and searched him.

He was found to be in possession of a ‘small hammer’ and some cannabis. Edge told the officer that he had the hammer because he was ‘scared of people stabbing him and his friends’.

“He repeatedly apologised saying it was his own fault and he had got agitated and scared,” Ms Gaskell said. “He further said he wasn’t a racist, his friend had told him to come down and he had made a very bad stupid mistake.” He had been in the pub earlier there he’d drank a pint of non-alcoholic Guinness, the court was told.

Edge, who has 18 convictions for 32 offences, was interviewed by police and claimed he had been given the hammer by a friend. Ms Gaskell said: “He denied being aware of what was going on in the town centre that day, thinking it was linked to the football.”

Edge, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis. He was jailed for 12 months by Judge Martin Walsh, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton.

The judge said: “Bolton was one of five areas across Greater Manchester which experienced substantial levels of unrest and disorder which had broken out, in an utterly misguided and totally unjustified reaction to the tragic events that had unfolded in Southport some days before.”

He told Edge: “Your arrest occurred within the context of a significant incident of public disorder. Many individuals will have attended in order to engage in peaceful demonstration, but a significant number were intent upon seeking confrontation, using violence and causing large scale public disorder.

“Your presence within the large group that had congregated in the vicinity of the town hall was not accidental or coincidental. You had arrived in Bolton town centre having armed yourself with an offensive weapon, and having consciously made a decision to mask your identity.

“Although prior to being searched you had not produced the weapon, it is clear that at the very least you anticipated an outbreak of public disorder in which weapons might be used.”

Defending, Alex Beevers said Edge accepted having made a ‘conscious decision to embroil himself in what would inevitably second into hooliganism’. “If an example is to be made of him, so be it, he accepts that,” the barrister added.

MEN

Matthew Edge, 34, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, namely a hammer.

He is also charged with possession of class B drugs.

In court documents, it reads: “On Sunday 4th August 2024 at Bolton, in the City of Greater Manchester without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had with you in a public place, namely Bolton Town Hall, an offensive weapon, namely a Hammer.”

He was remanded into custody and will next appear at Bolton Crown Court when he will be sentenced on September 2

Manchester Evening News