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

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.

2) Mathew Edge

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.

3) Paul Smith

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.

4) Joseph Ley

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.

5) Oliver Chapman

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.

6) Daniel Hanslip

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.

7) Colin Demulder

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.

8) Kane Kelly

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.

9) Anthony Livesey

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.

10) Lynden Parker

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.

11) Thomas Ward

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.

12) Graham Brookes

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.

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

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.

15) Lee Upton

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.

16) Carl Ryan

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.

17) Mark Bridgeford

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.

18) Niall Charnock

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.

19) 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.

20) Nigel Simpson

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.

21) Charlie Mott

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.

22) Dane Potter

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.

23) Scott Chadwick

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.

24) Kye McGlade

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.

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.

26) 15-year-old boy

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.

27) 12-year-old boy

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.

28) 16-year-old boy

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.

29) Andrew Phillips

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.

30) David Green

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.

31) Kemmy Grange

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.

32) Tracy Pearson

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.

33) Michelle Jibson

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.

34) 13-year-old boy

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.

35) 14-year-old boy

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.

36) Ryan Leckey

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.

37) Darren Butler

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.

38) 17-year-old boy

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.

39) Liam Ryan

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.

40) Nevey Smith

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.

41) Zakaria Sadiq

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.

42) Thomas Richard

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.

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.

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.

45) Steven Miller

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.

46) Shaun Holt

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.

47) Anthony Whitelegg

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.

48) Aaron Davy

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.

49) Daylan Burgess

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.

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.

51) Aaron Johnson

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.

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.

Read More

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

Manchester Evening News

A pram, a gran and a shameful family day out in Newton Heath

By virginiagolden

September 26, 2024

Uncategorized

‘What on earth were you thinking?’

On a warm summer evening in July, a Facebook post began circulating north Manchester. It called for action on Oldham Road.

“Let’s get them out,” it declared. “6pm today. Stand up and take note, because if you don’t, no-one will.”

Soon, a mob of up to 70 people had answered the call, gathering outside a Holiday Inn in Newton Heath. Before long, bottles, bricks and eggs filled the sky.

Police were scrambled to defend the hotel and its residents – the majority of whom were asylum seekers. ‘Protestors’ flung abuse and obscenities as officers hurried them inside during shameful scenes of violence.

In the sky above, a helicopter hovered – tracking the crowd’s every move.

Among them on July 31 were Vanessa Smith and her daughter Nevey. The pair were captured on video throwing liquids at police officers and asylum seekers.

Just metres from where a man was being taken to the floor and detained by three policemen, a bird’s eye view showed Nevey, 21, was pushing a pram.

Sat inside was her 20-month-old son. Her mother was seen recording the incident.

Just days after her daughter was hauled before the same judge, Vanessa Smith, 42, was sentenced for her actions today (September 26).

The Smiths were part of a violent crowd which gathered in front of what was supposed to be a place of safety for defenceless people seeking refuge.

One of Manchester’s most senior judges had strong words for Nevey Smith as she faced the consequences of her actions. “What on earth were you thinking?” he questioned the 21-year-old single mother in Manchester Crown Court earlier this week.

He characterised her decision to get involved while her son was present in a pram as an ‘extraordinary and concerning feature’ of the case. “I doubt very much you had his safety and wellbeing in mind,” he added.

During Nevey Smith’s sentencing hearing, it was revealed that when questioned, she admitted she didn’t understand what an asylum seeker was. “That aspect of the case and indeed other aspects of the case show you have quite a lot to learn and quite a lot of growing up to do,” Judge Patrick Field KC told Smith.

Today, the same judge took to court to sentence her mother. During the shocking disorder, a bus was attacked and an asylum seeker being escorted into the hotel was injured by flying glass. The prosecution told how Vanessa Smith was seen as part of the group and threw liquid towards police officers.

Vanessa Smith, a mum-of-three with two other children aged 16 and 11, handed herself in to police and pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Judge Field told the elder Smith that she had been ‘wholly misguided’ in her involvement in the mob and the court heard how she has suffered the loss of her employment at a Failsworth café because of it. Vanessa Smith, of Farnborough Road in Failsworth, was sentenced to an 18 month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation activity days, and instructed to make a payment of £150 to the cost of proceedings.

The judge accepted the defence’s submission that it was an ‘isolated incident and out of character’, with the throwing of water being the height of her contribution to the day’s chaos. But the judge called the behaviour ‘mistaken, ill-advised’, and’ completely unacceptable’.

“You should be duly ashamed, particularly as there were children present – your grandson was present. I’m confident that what we’ve just seen and heard about is not the example you would want to hold up for your children and grandchildren,” added the judge.

Vanessa Smith sighed as she was spared jail, as Judge Field said: “You’ve received a merciful sentence, don’t let me down.”

Manchester Evening News

‘What on earth were you thinking?’ – Judge slams young mother who took baby to Manchester riot in a pram

By virginiagolden

September 23, 2024

Uncategorized

Nevey Smith’s defence lawyer told a court that she did not know what an asylum seeker was

A young mother who took her toddler to a riot at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester has been criticised by a judge, but spared an immediate jail sentence.

Nevey Smith, 21, admitted throwing water over police during the trouble on 31 July while her 20-month-old child was with her in a pram, claiming that she “lost her temper” while on a day out with the baby’s grandmother.

She had joined the mob that had been throwing bottles, bricks and eggs at the Holiday Inn amid nationwide unrest after three girls were stabbed at a holiday club in Southport two days previously.

Describing her as “misguided, naive and immature” at her sentencing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, Judge Patrick Field KC said: “You chose to join (the disorder) notwithstanding that you had your 20-month-old child in a pushchair.

“What on earth were you thinking? I doubt you had his safety in mind.”

Smith was handed a community order and made to attend reviews at a women’s problem-solving court, and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

The judge also told Smith that she had a “lot to learn” and “quite a lot of growing up to do”.

He said that her role was “minimal and peripheral” as she had not been involved in throwing bricks or encouraging others to do so.

Daniel Calder, defending, told the court that Smith had not set out to attend the protest on the day, and had been passing the riot when she “foolishly” got involved.

He said that Smith had not expressed discriminatory views and did not know what an asylum seeker is.

Smith was handed a community order and made to attend reviews at a women’s problem-solving court, and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Her mother, Vanessa Smith, 42, was also at the protest and admitted violent disorder. She will be sentenced on Thursday.

The Independent

Mother who took her child to a riot in a pushchair pleads guilty to violent disorder

By virginiagolden

August 15, 2024

Uncategorized

Nevey Smith will be sentenced next week as judge blasts her for ‘putting child at risk’

A young mother who brought her child to a riot in a pushchair has pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Nevey Smith, 21, of West Street, Oldham, admitted throwing water over police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.

Prosecutor Tess Kenyon told Manchester Magistrates’ Court: “Footage shows her throwing liquid from a bottle towards police officers who were trying to maintain order.

“She had a child with her in a stroller.”

Defending, Robert Moussalli said Smith had “lost her temper” during the disorder and “threw some water”.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told Smith: “You put your own child at risk.”

The judge added Smith was “not as heavily involved as others in the demonstration” and was “not heard to utter any direct racist abuse”.

She was released on bail and will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on August 19.

Smith is one of hundreds of people arrested and charged after the disorder which broke out after the murder of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said in its latest update that 1,024 people had been arrested and 575 charged across the UK in relation to the unrest. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, as of Monday, 273 people have been charged in relation to the disorder.

The NPCC figure is higher to reflect charges which are solely issued by police and do not involve the CPS.

Two 12-year-old boys are believed to have become the youngest people to be convicted of a criminal offence in connection with the nationwide public disorder.

Evening Standard

Woman pleads guilty after throwing ‘liquid’ at police

By virginiagolden

August 12, 2024

Uncategorized

A woman has pleaded guilty to throwing ‘liquid’ at police officers during a disturbance outside a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Nevey Smith, 21, of West Street, Failsworth, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder on July 31. Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said that there was a large-scale disturbance outside a hotel on Oldham Road, during which Smith was seen to throw a liquid from a bottle towards the police officers.

“This was after two people who were seeking asylum had gone into the hotel,” she said. “She had a child in a stroller with her at the time.”

Mitigating, Robert Moussalli said his client, who wept throughout, was ‘deeply sorry’. “She was taking her child to her grandmother’s when she saw her auntie standing with some people near to the hotel and went to talk to her,” he said.

“Then people started shouting and she moved to the front of the group and her auntie went to the back with her child. She wasn’t planning to do anything.”

He said Smith had thrown water, but it had not made contact with the officers. He added that she ‘lost her temper’ when someone from behind the police ‘shouted at her’.

“I accept she brought it entirely on herself,” Mr Moussalli added.

Granting her bail with stringent conditions, District Judge Joanne Hirst said: “I am prepared to give you one opportunity. You put your own child at risk.”

She will next appear at Manchester Crown Court for sentence on August 19.

MEN