A man who kicked out at a police officer after rioting broke out in Rotherham said he had “nothing better to do” when he decided to drive to the town.
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard Joshua Simpson travelled from Worksop to the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, where major public disorder had broken out on 4 August.
When he arrived at around 20:00 BST, he was aggressive towards officers guarding the hotel, pushed against the police line and kicked a riot shield, which in turn hit an officer’s leg.
Simpson, 26, a self-employed joiner of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and was handed a 12-month community order on Tuesday.
‘Nowhere else to go’
The court was told Simpson arrived at the scene “in the aftermath of the violent disorder”, was verbally abusive and tried to push through the police cordon still in place.
When he was told he could not pass through the cordon, he kicked out at one of the riot shields which connected with the officer’s lower leg.
The court heard Simpson later apologised to the officer, who had not suffered any pain or injuries.
During his interview, Simpson told police he had travelled to Rotherham as he had “nowhere else to go and nothing better to do”.
District Judge Marcus Waite said Simpson was not being sentenced for his intentions that day and highlighted that he had not been charged with violent disorder.
He noted Simpson, who is homeless, had no previous convictions and had already “effectively spent three weeks in prison” following his arrest.
He told the defendant: “You’ve not been in trouble before and I therefore accept that your actions were out of character.”
Judge Waite sentenced him to a 12-month community order, 20 rehabilitation activities and 120 hours of unpaid work.
Dozens of people have so far been convicted in relation to the Rotherham riot, which has been described by a judge as “racist in nature”.
Among those imprisoned are former Army peacekeeper Peter Beard, who was filmed attacking officers and Drew Jarvis, 19, who threw wooden planks, bricks and lit arrows at officers and the hotel.
The case of Joseph Iggo, 20, of Hartley Brook Road, Sheffield, previously reported by the BBC, was discontinued at Sheffield Crown Court on 19 August.
The courts are continuing to hand jail terms to those involved in recent unrest
Dozens more people have been sent to jail this week for taking part in disorder that spread across the UK earlier this month, after the deaths of three young girls in Southport.
Prosecutors have charged over 520 people following the recent disorder, with the CPS saying they are ‘working around the clock’ with police to ‘deliver swift justice.’ Since the start of August, at least 117 people have been sent to jail for their involvement in the riots.
Over the last week, thugs, including two brothers, have been jailed for throwing bricks and wheelie bins at police responders, assault and chanting racist abuse.
One man took a sledgehammer to cars at a garage belonging to a foreign national, while the terrified owner cowered inside with his family. Another used a large piece of concrete to smash the window of a police vehicle with an officer inside fearing for his life.
The majority of charges so far have been for violent disorder, which carries a maximum jail sentence of five years. Sentences can range from anything from a community order to increasingly longer spells in prison up to the maximum.
Here are some of the people put behind bars for their part in the riots last week.
Dean Groenewald, Sunderland (two years and two months)
Dean Groenewald, 32, was filmed throwing a paving stone towards the police (Image: PA)
A man who threw a stone at police after getting “carried away” during riots in Sunderland has been jailed for more than two years. Dean Groenewald, 32, was jailed for 26 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday after admitting one count of violent disorder at a previous hearing.
The court heard that Groenewald was filmed throwing the paving stone at Keel Square during a riot that broke out following a protest in Sunderland city centre on August 2.
Claire Anderson, in mitigation, said that while her client threw the missile in the direction of the police, it had gone over their heads. “He got carried away in the moment, and for some inexplicable reason, he picked up that item that was on the floor and he threw it in the general direction of the police,” she said.
Ms Anderson said her formerly unemployed client had found work while on remand at HMP Hull. “In the short time that he has been on remand in Hull he has managed to get a job as a helper on the servery,” she said. “He hopes that he will be able to find alternative employment in custody, depending upon the circumstances and prison he ultimately ends up being sent to. Because, obviously, my lord knows the conditions in custody are exceptionally difficult at the moment.”
Niven Matthewman, Rotherham (two years and eight months)
Niven Matthewman, 19, threw a chair at police during unrest in Rotherham (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
Niven Matthewman, 19, threw a chair at police and yelled “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for taking part in violent disorder on August 4 in Rotherham.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC described Matthewman as part of an “ignorant mob” who participated in racist disorder, and said the incident was “extremely frightening for anyone who was there”.
The court heard how 58 police officers were injured as a result of the incident, alongside three police dogs and a police horse.
Judge Richardson told Matthewman: “I cannot imagine why someone aged 19 years with no previous convictions would wish to get themselves in this and you must be punished.”
The judge said Matthewman would be detained in a young offenders’ institution and be subject to a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.
Donna Conniff, Hartlepool (two years)
Donna Conniff, 40, was caught on camera throwing bricks at police (Image: Cleveland Police)
A mum-of-six threw a brick at police officers during a violent protest in Hartlepool. Donna Conniff has been jailed for two years as a judge branded her actions “truly disgraceful”.
The 40-year-old was identified from CCTV and video footage of a protest in Murray Street on the evening of July 31, in which she was seen hurling a brick and a rock towards a line of police officers. She was arrested on August 13.
Conniff, of Alford Court in Hartlepool, dressed all in black and wearing sunglasses, was also seen handing a brick to a juvenile who threw it towards police, and was part of a crowd of people who surged forwards at officers and was seen joining in with cheers as missiles were thrown.
Martin Scarborough, defending Conniff, told Teesside Crown Court on Monday that she had come across the protest, which was advertised on social media, “by chance” at around 6pm.
Judge Francis Laird KC accepted that Conniff, who earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was remorseful but said a custodial sentence was the correct course of action. He said: “Your behaviour and the behaviour of others around you was truly disgraceful.”
She was told she must serve up to one half of her 24-month sentence in custody before being released on licence. As she was led out of the dock, Conniff shouted “love you” to family members in the public gallery.
David Notley, London (one year and eight months)
David Notley, 67, was jailed for 20 months at Inner London Crown Court (Image: Met Police)
A 67-year-old man was locked up for 20 months after chanting “You’re not English anymore” at police officers during a demonstration in Whitehall in London. David Notley, of Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forest, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and causing religiously aggravated distress.
Alex Agbamu, prosecuting, said that “members and supporters of far-right organisations” took part in the protest on July 31. He said Notley made his way to the front of the crowd, confronted police in a “fighting pose” surging back and forth and joined in the chant “You’re not English anymore” and “Who the f*** is Allah?”.
He helped push another demonstrator into a police officer which “precipitated a physical confrontation involving the police (and) demonstrators”, the prosecutor said, and then remained at the front of the crowd.
Defending himself, he told the court that he got “swept up” in the demonstration and was not violent towards police officers.
Judge Freya Newbery told the court that Notley was a “career burglar and thief” who was jailed for 20 years in 2009 for drug smuggling. He had been released on licence but was recalled to prison for breaching his licence due to his involvement in the protest.
Lynden Parker, Manchester (two years and two months)
Lynden Parker, 26, launched a vape at a hotel housing asylum seekers (Image: GMP)
A tyre-fitter admitted violent disorder after throwing an e-cigarette at a hotel for asylum seekers in Manchester. Lynden Parker, 26, has been jailed for 26 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder following trouble at the hotel in Newton Heath.
During the disorder on July 31, bricks and glass bottles were thrown at the hotel and a mob of people surrounded and attacked a passing bus with ethnic minority passengers aboard, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Passing sentence Judge Patrick Field KC, told Parker: “You appear to have been motivated by deeply unpleasant, ignorant and possibly extremist racist views and such a mindset.
“By your presence as part of a mob and throwing that missile, you were encouraging and spurring on others to behave in a similar way.
“People like you who involve themselves and participate in such violence, bringing terror and disorder into this city, must expect severe consequences by way of severe custodial sentences.”
David Engleby, Paul Dryhurst and Luke Summerfield, Southport (up to two years and four months)
David Engleby, Paul Dryhurst and Luke Summerfield were all jailed for throwing missiles at police in Southport (Image: Merseyside Police)
Three men were jailed for throwing missiles at police officers outside a mosque in Southport.
David Engleby, 29, of Scarisbrick New Road, Southport, gave a thumbs up to the judge after he was jailed for two years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court for violent disorder.
Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You joined a large and aggressive mob on St Luke’s Road. You can be seen to be part of the group chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah’. You then pick up an item, a brick, throw it at police and then throw a second missile at police.”
Self-employed joiner Paul Dryhurst, 33, of Gale Road in Litherland, was sentenced to two years for violent disorder after the court heard he was recognised on footage by a police officer who had gone to school with him.
Sentencing him, the judge said: “You can be seen to pick up some item, throw it at police before seeming to smile in satisfaction then taking up a position to film the disorder.”
Luke Summerfield, 33, of Mansfield Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, was jailed for two years and two months after he was seen on footage among the crowd, picking up an item and throwing it towards police.
Eve Salter, defending, said video also showed him trying to stop other members of the crowd from kicking a journalist who was on the floor.
Stuart Randall and William Riley, Hull (three years and one year and six months)
Stuart Randall and William Riley were involved in the riots in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)
Two men have been locked up for violent disorder that unfolded in Hull on August 3.
Father-of-three Stuart Randall took a sledgehammer to cars at a garage belonging to a foreign national while the terrified owner cowered inside with his family. The 55-year-old has been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to two counts of racially aggravated criminal damage, violent disorder, criminal damage to two shops, burglary of the O2 store and Lush, and possession of cannabis.
Hull Crown Court heard how Randall danced in front of a police line while waving a riot shield and smashed the front windows of two shops during a day of “racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” in the city. He also smashed the glass of a BMW that had contained three Romanian men who were forced out of their vehicle by an angry mob, although the court heard he was not directly involved in that incident.
Footage played in court showed Randall picking up a bar stool and using it to smash the front of a Specsavers shop, before doing the same with a fire extinguisher at Holland & Barrett. He was also seen on CCTV looting Lush and the O2 store.
William Riley, 64, punched a police officer in the jaw and handed out eggs for people to throw. He has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.
The court heard he was prominent at the front of a group who were confronting a police line, acting aggressively and throwing missiles. He went on to punch an officer to the side of the jaw as he was trying to detain him.
The court heard the conviction was “a massive fall from grace” for Riley, who is involved with veterans’ charities who had attended the city centre that day to lay a wreath for the victims of the Southport stabbing.
Graham Brookes, Manchester (one year and eight months)
Graham Brookes, 42, was caught on camera throwing a pint of cider towards police (Image: GMP)
A family man who has never been in trouble with police before was locked up for 20 months for violent disorder amid mob violence in Manchester. A “legion of testimonials” praising Graham Brookes, 42, was handed to Judge Patrick Field KC, passing sentence on the defendant at Manchester Crown Court.
Brookes was caught on camera throwing a pint of cider towards police before later aiming a kick at one officer during widespread disorder in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on August 3.
Judge Field asked Brookes’ barrister: “How is it that a man with his background and character, a family man with a good work record, should behave the way I have witnessed? Like a hooligan? A man about who so many good things have been and could be said, could find himself involved in this sort of brutish, nasty, public violence. It’s a question, I suppose, there’s no reasonable answer to.”
Tim Storey KC, defending, replied: “It is the conundrum at the heart of the whole case for Graham Brookes. His life is characterised by stability. Community minded. Graham Brookes is not a racist man.”
Ethan Miles, Blackpool (two years and six months)
Ethan Miles, 21, was jailed for 30 months for violent disorder in Blackpool (Image: Lancashire Constabulary)
A man who threw objects at crowds of people during a violent protest in Blackpool has been jailed for 30 months. Ethan Miles, 21, of Haig Road, hurled chairs, bottles, cans and other objects towards the crowds – which included police officers – during disorder in the town on August 3.
Lancashire Police said Miles, who was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to violent disorder, also removed the wing mirror of a police van before throwing it at the vehicle, which had officers inside.
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said Miles “acted without care towards those around him, choosing to be violent and cause disorder in the town”.
David Jordan, Tamworth (two years and four months)
David Jordan took part in a protest outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth (Image: Staffordshire Police)
David Jordan was jailed for 28 months after throwing a missile and shouting racist remarks during a protest in Tamworth. The 59-year-old was charged with violent disorder after video footage showed him throwing an object towards a line of police in front of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Staffordshire town, where migrants were being housed, on August 4.
The defendant, of Tamworth Road, could also be heard shouting “f****** paedos” towards the hotel and telling police officers to “f*** off”.
Sentencing him at Stafford Crown Court, Judge John Edwards told Jordan: “You rightly hung your head in shame as we watched the video. I have looked with care at the footage, you are front and centre of this baying mob for an hour-and-a-half.”
Liam Gray, Rotherham (three years)
Liam Gray, 20, pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A 20-year-old man was caught on video repeatedly charging at a line of police with riot shields outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Manufacturing engineer Liam Gray was arrested following rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on August 4.
Gray, of Randerson Drive, Kilnhurst, South Yorkshire, was filmed at the front of a large mob charging at least three times at the officers and trying to grab their shields. He was also filmed among the crowd outside the hotel at a number of different points during the afternoon as police attempted to disperse them.
Sentencing him to three years in jail, Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “You have brought shame on yourself. You have brought shame on your mother and father. You have brought shame on the town in which you live.”
Ed Moss, defending, said: “He’s made the biggest error of the 20 years he’s been on this planet and he’s now going to pay the price.” Mr Moss said his client wanted to make it clear “there isn’t racist bone in his body”, to which the judge responded: “If that’s true, what on earth was he doing?”
Bradley McCarthy, Bristol (one year and eight months)
Bradley McCarthy was involved in clashes with counter-protesters and police (Image: Avon and Somerset Constabulary)
Bradley McCarthy shouted in a police dog’s face during rioting in Bristol and called opponents “p*** c****”. The 34-year-old has been jailed for 20 months after joining an anti-immigration march on August 3.
A court heard how McCarthy was involved in clashes with counter-protesters and police in Castle Park and on Bristol Bridge. McCarthy was caught on video “threatening” opponents and shouting at the police, including at a police dog. Emily Evans, prosecuting, said the defendant played a “prominent role” in the incident.
Bristol Crown Court heard McCarthy was arrested for breach of the peace and later let go by officers but remained in the area. “Instead of taking that as a sign to go home, he can later be seen shouting at police officers and also shouting in a police dog’s face,” Ms Evans told the court.
At a previous hearing McCarthy, of Knowle, Bristol, admitted violent disorder. The dad-of-three has convictions for violence, weapons offences and public order but had not been in trouble for several years.
Robyn Rowlands, defending, said McCarthy had recently tried to help a person at the roadside who was dying after trying to take their own life, which had an “exceptional effect” on his mental health.
Alfie Conway, Rotherham (two years and three months)
Alfie Conway, 19, pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A 19-year-old man threw missiles at police protecting a hotel housing asylum seekers. Apprentice bricklayer Alfie Conway was jailed for two years and three months at Sheffield Crown Court after admitting violent disorder.
Conway, of Park Avenue, South Kirby, was arrested after one officer standing behind a riot shield outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, near Rotherham, recognised him and shouted that he would be going to prison.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how the defendant had a troubled past but had worked hard to secure an apprenticeship.
The judge said: “What on earth possessed him to truly throw all of that away to hurl whatever it was at police officers – one of whom knew exactly who he was?”
Judge Richardson told Conway: “You have been exceptionally foolish”, and expressed his sympathy for Conway’s grandparents, who were watching from the public gallery.
Craig Timbrell, Bristol (two years and six months)
Craig Timbrell was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Bristol Crown Court (Image: Avon and Somerset Constabulary)
A single father who took part in violent clashes with the police during an anti-immigration protest in Bristol has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Craig Timbrell, 38, threw concrete blocks, bricks and bottles at the police near to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.
Bristol Crown Court heard Timbrell attended the demonstration in Bristol city centre on August 3. Meabh McGee, prosecuting, said Timbrell was filmed throwing objects at the police during clashes near the Mercure Hotel in the Redcliffe area of the city.
She said: “There was targeting of locations known to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees. The situation escalated to the point where there was significant disorder and violence used towards officers, property and opposing groups.”
The court heard he has convictions for violence, public order offences and knife crime, but had not been in trouble since 2015.
Emily Evans, defending Timbrell, of Hartcliffe, Bristol, said: “He couldn’t really explain it (why he threw missiles at the police) other than to say his mental health was at a decline at that point in time.”
She said he had recently stopped caring for his children due to his declining mental health and had looked after them following the death of his partner from cancer. She added: “He very much wants to have the children back in his care. That of course is jeopardised by the way he behaved on August 3.”
Passing sentence, Judge Julian Lambert told Timbrell: “This was no peaceful protest and was never going to be so. It was a violent, ignorant, drink fuelled defiance of the law. The violence that I saw later from you was intense and shocking. It was also a potential catalyst for yet worse violence.”
Lee Crisp, Rotherham (three years and four months)
Lee Crisp, 42, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Crown Court (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
Lee Crisp shouted abuse at police guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and cheered as others threw missiles at officers. The 42-year-old has been jailed for three years and four months.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how Crisp, of Mount Road, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, was even abusing police after his arrest outside the Holiday Inn Express, telling one officer: “You’re protecting the bastards who are raping our kids.”
Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said the defendant shouted at one officer: “Take your f****** uniform off, I’ll knock the f*** out of you” and “you f****** horrible little c***”. And he shouted at someone recording the violence: “Sex offending bastards. BBC bastards”.
Ms Hollis said factory worker Crisp celebrated as the group he was with threw missiles at the officers.
When Crisp appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, his solicitor told a district judge that his client was a victim of mistaken identity as he took his elderly mother for a Sunday lunch in the pub next to the hotel. But Crisp did not maintain this defence when he appeared at crown court this week.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said the “high octane” abuse dished out by Crisp encouraged the crowd, adding: “You were leading the way in all of this, in four separate incidents”.
Joel Bishop, Hartlepool (one year and six months)
Joel Bishop threw rocks and a plank of wood during widespread disorder in Hartlepool (Image: Cleveland Police)
Ex-soldier Joel Bishop threw stones at the police during widespread disorder in Hartlepool. He was identified later from the T-shirt he was wearing which had his name on the back, a court heard.
Bishop, a qualified tank driver who served with the Royal Logistic Corps, admitted a charge of violent disorder and two counts of possessing offensive weapons, namely rocks and a plank of wood. Video footage shown in court showed the father-of-two joining in attacks on police officers in riot gear, three times throwing stones or a plank at them and referring to them as “black c****”. The prosecution accepted this was not a racist comment, but an insult directed at police.
Judge Francis Laird KC, at Teesside Crown Court, sentenced the 27-year-old to 18 months in prison, having accepted his genuine remorse and that the hard-working “family man” had an “exemplary” Army record.
Bishop, of Tweed Walk, Hartlepool, has no previous convictions or convictions and acted completely out of character that night, said Rod Hunt, defending. The defendant joined the Army at 18, boxed for his regiment, took part in winter combat exercises, and had no disciplinary issues during his five years in uniform.
Passing sentence, Judge Laird said Bishop’s behaviour that night was “disgraceful”. He told him: “Joel Bishop, you chose to take part in an organised and large scale act of public disorder. In that disorder, police officers were attacked and there was significant damage to property.”
Bishop’s partner and mother wept in the public gallery as he was jailed for 18 months. The judge reduced that from 27 months on account of his earlier guilty plea.
David Chadwick, Rotherham (two years and eight months)
David Chadwick, 36, was jailed for two years and eight months (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A 36-year-old man who threw wood at police guarding a hotel in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months. David Chadwick, of Furlong Road, Barnsley, was part of a “violent mob” who attacked a “vastly outnumbered” group of police officers who were pinned to the wall of the Holiday Inn Express, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.
The judge heard how Chadwick was also present during an incident in which a police van was violently rocked, with officers and a dog inside. The court heard how Chadwick was filmed twice pouring the contents of a can through the van window onto the police driver, who was trying to move out of danger.
Judge Richardson said: “Each and every one of them (the police) were doing their duty and it must have been very frightening for them.”
Chadwick said in a letter to the court: “I have let myself down, I have let my family-and-friends down, and I’ve let my whole community down.”
Daniel Stewart and Andrew Hook, Blackpool (two years and three months)
Andrew Hook (left) and Daniel Stewart (right) took part in violent disorder in Blackpool (Image: Lancashire Police)
Two men were jailed for 27 months each after taking part in violent disorder in Blackpool on August 3. Daniel Stewart, 28, of Ashton Road, and Andrew Hook, 32, of Coronation Street, were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.
Stewart had been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating after covering his face before shouting at police officers, who he also threw a can towards and pushed. He later assaulted a security guard at a shopping centre, the Lancashire Police said.
Hook had been charged with violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after kicking and punching a security guard during disorder in the town.
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said: “Hook and Stewart chose to have a detrimental impact on the law-abiding citizens of our Lancashire communities. They were violent towards my officers, and members of the public. Their behaviour was disgraceful and will absolutely not be tolerated in Lancashire.”
Jake Lowther, Southport (one year and six months)
Jake Lowther, 20, will spend his jail term in a young offenders institute (Image: Merseyside Police)
A 20-year-old man who threw stones at police during disorder in Southport has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institute. Jake Lowther, of Abrams Fold, Banks, nodded to his parents as his mother called “love you” after he was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC said Lowther was seen on footage as part of the crowd, gesticulating towards officers while others threw missiles. He said at one point Lowther picked up two pieces of brick or stone from a broken wall and threw them towards police, with one hitting a riot shield.
Stuart Mills, defending, said Lowther had ADHD and had been “swept up in the moment”. The judge said: “There’s no evidence your condition in anyway reduces your culpability.”
Peter Beard, Rotherham (two years and six months)
Peter Beard, 43, was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob (Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A former solider who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Father-of-three Peter Beard, 43, of Becknoll Road, Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob confronting officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on August 4.
The court heard how Beard’s aggression toward the officers came at a critical time in the rioting after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and the judge said he was “astonished” that the defendant had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper.
Luke Moran and Nicholas Sinclair, Southport (up to three years)
Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of father-of-three Luke Moran, 38, who was sentenced to three years after trying to smash a police van window. Issue date: Wednesday August 21, 2024. PA Photo.
A father-of-three who left a police officer fearing for his life as he tried to smash a van window has been jailed for three years. Liverpool Crown Court heard Luke Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm after his image was published following violence which broke out in Southport on July 30.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran was seen on footage with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver’s side window of a police vehicle with an officer inside.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC told the court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far.”
The court was played bodyworn footage from Pc James Hayes in which Moran was holding a chunk of masonry, which he hit the vehicle with three times.
Judge Flewitt said: “Unsurprisingly, at that stage Pc Hayes feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked.”
In the footage, the constable could be heard telling colleagues over his radio: “I’m going to have to bail, my window’s about to go through.”
Nicholas Sinclair, 38, was seen in footage throwing bricks at officers (Image: Merseyside Police)
Moran’s friend and co-defendant Nicholas Sinclair, of Bury Road, Birkdale, was jailed for two years and four months after admitting violent disorder. The 38-year-old, a manager at a scaffolding firm, was seen in footage from the disorder on July 30 shouting towards police and throwing bricks.
Simon Christie, defending both Sinclair Moran, said they had been “swept up in an incident they neither understood or took the time to consider”.
Daniel Carrigan, Southport (two years and eight months)
Daniel Carrigan, 41, was jailed for two years and eight months (Image: Merseyside Police)
Cocaine addict Daniel Carrigan was put behind bars for two years and eight months after admitting violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport.
The 41-year-old, of Preston Grove, Liverpool, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, where footage was played which showed him throwing items at a police van and kicking the side of the vehicle.
Charles Lander, defending, said Carrigan had taken cocaine on the day of the incident and said his addiction to the drug was “out of control”. He added: “He didn’t go there to cause violence, he got carried away with the mob.”
The court heard he had been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault in 2016 after telling a traffic warden he should “return back to his own country”.
Thomas Whitehead, Southport (one year and eight months)
Thomas Whitehead, 53, was arrested on a plane at Manchester Airport (Image: Merseyside Police)
Thomas Whitehead was arrested on a plane at Manchester Airport after taking part in a protest in Southport and has now been jailed for one year and eight months for violent disorder.
The 53-year-old was part of a large group which gathered outside a mosque in the Merseyside town on July 30, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said his picture was circulated and he was arrested on August 13 at Manchester Airport on board a plane.
The gardener, of Pool Street, Southport, told police he had been to the pub when he noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening, but he accepted throwing items.
Paul Wood, defending, said Whitehead had three daughters and was a “family man”.
Declan Dixon, Hartlepool (one year and six months)
(Image: PA)
A 22-year-old electrician who threw a brick at police during disorder in Hartlepool was jailed for 18 months. Declan Dixon, of Salisbury Avenue, Hindley, was seen on video footage picking up a missile and throwing it at police in riot gear on the night of July 31 after a protest grew violent.
When he was arrested 11 days later, sitting in a BMW, he was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said Dixon was working on Teesside at the time and he told police he was present that night “out of curiosity”.
He admitted violent disorder and possessing cocaine and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 18 months, saying: “Your behaviour, and the behaviour of others around you, was disgraceful.”
Gary Wood, defending, said Dixon was immature, had no previous convictions and had now lost his £1,600-a-month apprenticeship. The judge accepted the defendant came from a “loving family” and added: “It is very difficult to understand how you came to be involved with a violent mob.”
Perrie Fisher, Aldershot (two years and five months)
Perrie Fisher, 29, was seen riding a bike wearing an England flag (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police)
A 29-year-old man was seen riding a children’s scooter before throwing it at a hotel housing asylum seekers and telling a police officer to f*** off. Scaffolder Perrie Fisher was also seen riding a bike wearing an England flag before throwing it in a skip, and throwing bicycle wheels at the walls of Potters International Hotel as part of a crowd of around 200 people in Aldershot on July 31.
The Farnham man was arrested at Gatwick airport on return from his Dubai holiday on August 19 after he did not appear at magistrates’ court following the incident. He was brought before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and a bail act offence.
Winchester Crown Court later heard how 85 families were living in the hotel and there were people inside the accommodation in “great fear” of what was going to happen to them. Around £1,900 worth of damage was also caused from the disorder after a small group of protesters got into the hotel car park at around 6.40pm and more and more joined them.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC described how Fisher threw the children’s scooter “with force” at the hotel and there was a loud bang and cheering from the crowd as a result. The bikes had been provided for the hotel residents to use, the court heard.
Prosecutor Tim Devlin said a large crowd started shouting ‘illegals out,’ ‘we want our community back’ and ‘f*** off’. He added the police were “massively outnumbered” and the situation was “rapidly getting out of hand”.
In mitigation the court heard the act was “out of character” for the new dad who felt remorse for what he had done. Sentencing Fisher, Judge Lickley said the occupants of the hotel were the “real target” of Fisher’s actions which were fuelled by hostility over race and religion.
Fisher was sentenced to 29 months’ imprisonment for both offences. He will be released from prison after serving half of his sentence and will spend the rest on licence, the judge said.
Jordan Murray, David Buckle and Jermaine Glover, Hull (up to three years)
(Left to right) Jordan Murray, David Buckle and Jermaine Glover were involved in riots in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)
Three men were jailed for offences including arson and violent disorder after rioting in Hull.
Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, Hull, who looted a Greggs outlet and threw a metal bench at police was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, possession of class B drugs and two counts of burglary.
Hull Crown Court heard he played a “significant role in the large-scale disorder” and was at the front of a group confronting police in the city centre on August 3 and “behaving in an aggressive manner towards officers throughout”.
David Buckle, 39, of Southgate Way, Hull, was part of a crowd that pursued a BMW carrying three Romanian men, although the court heard he was not one of the mob that forced them out of the vehicle. Buckle was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
The court heard he was prominent in a group of people confronting a protective police line outside a hotel known to house asylum seekers, with prosecutor Jeremy Evans saying he was “aggressive and abusive, throwing missiles at officers”.
Jermaine Glover, 23, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, who took part in an arson attack at a garage owned by a foreign national, was jailed for two years after admitting violent disorder and arson. The court heard he barged into a police line and “behaved in an aggressive manner towards officers, shouting, gesturing, helping others push bins at officers and throwing missiles”.
Tommy Callaghan, Southport (two years and two months)
Tommy Callaghan, 32, was jailed for two years and two months (Image: Merseyside Police)
A gas engineer who joined in racist chants and threw objects at police in Southport has been jailed for two years and two months. Tommy Callaghan, 32, of Platt Bridge, Wigan, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse at Liverpool Crown Court, where footage was played showing him wearing a fluorescent yellow T-shirt and sunglasses in a “large and aggressive mob” on July 30.
Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You were one of those who was chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah’, with your left arm and fist raised as you chanted and gesticulated in rhythm. You were then part of the mob who surged forward at the police line. Then you picked up part of a brick, threw it at police, then picked up a second missile even before the first had landed.”
Peter White, defending, said Callaghan had put his business, through which he employed three people, and the mortgaged home he shared with his partner and nine-month-old daughter at risk. He said Callaghan had travelled to Southport, about 25 miles from his home, to attend a vigil for the victims of the stabbing in the town.
He did not have a reason for why he had consumed alcohol once there and said he had no racially or religiously prejudiced beliefs but had “gone along with the mob”.
James Martin, Scarborough (two years and two months)
James Martin, 18, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated harassment based on race or religion, possessing an article with the intent to cause property damage, and obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
A teenager who marched outside an Islamic centre with firelighters in his pocket while waving an England flag has been jailed for two years and two months. A court heard James Martin, 18, was “going to lose everything because of one night of stupid behaviour” on August 8 in Scarborough.
Martin was in a group of four who marched outside the Islamic centre on Roscoe Street while people were inside praying just after 10pm. York Crown Court heard he had been swearing and shouted words to the effect of “what a stupid time to pray, have they got nothing better to be doing?” and “let’s be proud of our flag”.
When he was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace, police found firelighters in his pocket. Martin, who has no previous convictions, will lose an apprenticeship in bricklaying as a result, the court heard.
Peter Lynch, Rotherham (two years and eight months)
Peter Lynch (Image: PA)
A 61-year-old grandfather who was filmed repeatedly screaming abuse at riot police who were trying to push him back from a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Peter Lynch was at the front of a mob which gathered outside the Manvers hotel on August 4, shouting “scum” and “child killers” at police, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Thursday. He was pictured holding a placard asserting the corruption of MPs, judges, the media and the police.
But body-worn camera footage was shown to the court of him screaming “you are protecting people who are killing our kids and raping them” at police with riot shields and “scum”.
Lynch – who suffers from diabetes, thyroid issues, angina and has recently had a heart attack – was then filmed repeatedly challenging officers as they tried to push him back with shields, screaming “protect my children” repeatedly and yelling: “We are on the streets now to protect our kids”.
Lynch, of Burman Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.
Matthew Putson, Middlesbrough (two years and eight months)
Matthew Putson, 27, was one of the “main instigators” of violence during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough, a court heard (Image: Cleveland Police)
A 27-year-old was one of the “main instigators” of violence during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough, Teesside Crown Court heard. Matthew Putson, of Palmer Street, was with a group who were making racial slurs before he kicked a police officer but he was dragged away by others before he could be arrested during trouble in the town on August 4.
With his face disguised, he was later seen to have climbed up some traffic lights before he picked up bottles, bricks and stones and threw them at police over a period of around an hour.
Putson admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 32 months, saying: “The public are rightfully outraged by this behaviour on our streets.”
Michael Campbell, Hull (one year and eight months)
Michael Campbell, 56, admitted violent disorder in Hull city centre on August 3 (Image: Humberside Police)
A grandfather was jailed for 20 months after he used a bicycle to fend off a police dog during a “hate-fuelled” riot. Michael Campbell, 56, was only in Hull city centre to buy himself a suit for a funeral when he became involved with the violence on August 3, Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court heard.
The ship loading supervisor, of Hull, used his bike as a “makeshift cordon to deflect police officers” and “fend off a police dog”, before the animal bit him on the leg, the court was told.
During the 12 hours of “mob violence”, 11 police officers were injured and huge financial damage was caused when rioters gathered outside the Royal Hotel, Judge John Thackray KC said.
Sentencing Campbell, the judge described him as a “family man” whose behaviour had been “out of character”.
Luke and Paul Sissons, Rotherham (three years)
Paul Sissons was part of a group that violently rocked a police van (Image: PA)
Two brothers who were at the forefront of rioting outside a Rotherham hotel housing more than 200 asylum seekers have each been jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court. Luke and Paul Sissons were involved in a range of violent incidents at the Holiday Inn Express on August 4, including an attack on a police dog van and violent confrontations with riot officers.
Paul Sissons – who is a tunnelling team leader on the HS2 project – was filmed over a period of nearly four hours, first in a mob shouting at police and chanting “Tommy Robinson”. Sissons, of Two Gates Way, Barnsley, was then captured as part of a group that violently rocked a police van with officers and a dog inside, and was later seen throwing missiles at a group of cornered officers.
Body-worn camera footage was also shown to the court on Friday of the 37-year-old angrily kicking and pushing at riot shields as officers tried to push the crowd back.
Luke Sissons has been jailed for three years alongside his brother (Image: PA)
His brother Luke Sissons, 34, of The Green View, Shafton, Barnsley, was also part of the mob rocking the van and footage was shown of him at the front of group goading officers with riot shields who were pinned against the hotel wall.
Daniel Mennell, Jackie Miller and Jarrod Farrah, Hull (up to two years and three months)
(Left to right) Daniel Mennell, Jackie Miller and Jarrod Farrah took part in disorder in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)
Three people who took part in disorder in Hull earlier this month have been jailed.
Daniel Mennell, 36, was handed a 27-month jail term at Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court after he threw missiles at police. He was also seen taking a selfie with a stolen police riot shield during the violence on August 3.
The drunk labourer, who was prominent at the front of the riot, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
“Hostile” Jackie Miller, 57, was jailed for eight months for a racially aggravated public order offence after she unleashed a “diatribe towards police officers”. In the presence of her 15-year-old daughter, Miller told officers: “A P*** lad killed two, three girls and yet you’re having a go at us. They don’t look after their own.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Miller she had used “truly disgraceful words”.
Jarrod Farrah, 32, was jailed for two years and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for violent disorder after he behaved aggressively towards police by “lunging” at them. He told his family in the public gallery “love you all” as he was led out of the dock to start his sentence.
Judge Thackray said it had been “depressing and horrifying” to watch footage of the disorder.
Rory Allington-Mott, Southport (three years and three months)
Rory Allington-Mott, 34, smiled as he took part in the unrest in Southport (Image: PA)
A man who threw objects including bricks and a wheelie bin at police during disorder has been jailed for three years and three months. Rory Allington-Mott, 34, of Newport in Shropshire, was shown in footage released by police appearing to smile as he took part in the unrest in Southport on July 30.
He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to violent disorder, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. In the video, he was seen to throw bricks, a wheelie bin, a plastic box and what appeared to be a picture frame towards police vans and officers.
A hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this week was told Allington-Mott had been convicted in April last year of religiously or racially aggravated criminal damage and served 24 weeks after a suspended sentence was activated.
Louis McGrother, Middlesborough (one year and eight months)
Louis McGrother, 22, admitted violent disorder (Image: Cleveland Police)
A “well-balanced young man” who kicked out at a police officer and set fire to a wheelie bin during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough has been jailed for 20 months. Louis McGrother, 22, of South View Terrace, Middlesbrough, was filmed joining in attacks on police in the town on August 4, Teesside Crown Court heard.
When footage of his offending was published by the media, he handed himself in to police, bringing with him the clothes he wore that day, said Rachel Masters, prosecuting.
Joel Wootten, defending, said McGrother went along to the protest at the Cenotaph intending only to join a peaceful protest.
McGrother admitted a charge of violent disorder and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 20 months. The judge said he had read references from his employer, partner and mother which described “a well-balanced young man who takes his family responsibilities seriously, and who has a good work ethic”.
David Hann, Sunderland (eight months)
David Hann, 58, admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence (Image: Northumbria Police)
A former member of the English Defence League (EDL) who shouted “dirty Muslims” outside a mosque, along with other abuse, during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for eight months.
David Hann, 58, of Ryhope Street South, Sunderland, admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for his part in the trouble on August 2.
Judge Paul Sloan KC, sentencing, said Hann, was present at various locations that night and was seen gesticulating towards police officers and hurling racist abuse outside a mosque.
The judge accepted the unemployed defendant had learning difficulties, suffered from depression, did not have contact with his children and was no longer a member of the EDL. But Hann continued to hold racist and Islamophobic views, the judge said.
Jack Fowler, Sunderland (two years)
Jack Fowler, 24, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Northumbria Police)
A man holding a flag of St George who confronted police during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for two years. Jack Fowler, 24, of Northbourne Street, Newcastle, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for his part in the trouble on August 2.
Judge Paul Sloan KC, sentencing, said Fowler, who was drunk and masked that night, was seen at one point running away when police horses were used to disperse the “mob”.
At another location, he beckoned others forward towards police lines, and soon after beer kegs were thrown at officers, the judge said. The court heard that Fowler said: “This is going to be all summer, everywhere.”
The judge sentenced the unemployed defendant to two years in jail, having heard he was in a relationship and has a baby daughter.
Judge attacks scaffolder Perrie Fisher’s ‘cavalier attitude to justice’ as he imposes prison sentence
A rioter who skipped court to go on a week-long birthday holiday to Dubai has been jailed.
Perrie Fisher, 29, was criticised by a judge for his “cavalier attitude” to justice as he sentenced him to two years and five months for his violent conduct outside an asylum seeker hotel.
Winchester Crown Court was told Fisher wore an England flag as he threw a scooter and bicycle wheels and kicked footballs at the windows of the building, shouting abuse at migrants.
Fisher, a father of one, did not react as he was sentenced after admitting charges of violent disorder and failing to surrender himself at court.
He had flown to Dubai despite being charged for his role in the violence that took place outside Potters International Hotel, Aldershot, Hants, on July 31, two days after the Southport killings.
200 protesters descended on hotel
Fisher, who was detained by police when he touched down at Gatwick on Sunday, was condemned by the judge for his “intimidating and threatening” behaviour and for delaying justice by going abroad.
Tim Devlin, prosecuting, told the court that Fisher, from nearby Farnham, was involved in a protest outside the hotel, which houses immigrants awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications.
“This matter related to a violent disorder that took place on July 31 outside a hotel which is currently being used by the Home Office for asylum seekers,” he said.
The court heard around 200 protesters arrived at the hotel and tried to enter the building after “misinformation” about the identity of the suspect for the Southport stabbings was shared online.
The court heard the group shouted “we want our country back”, “this is what community looks like” and “get them in, get them gone”.
After the group broke into a bike shed, Fisher picked up a bike and threw it into a skip. He was then seen throwing bicycle wheels at the hotel.
“Flares had been set off, and the perimeter wall to the hotel was damaged,” Mr Devlin added.
Police massively outnumbered
The prosecutor said police officers who first attended were not in riot gear and were “massively outnumbered” in a situation that was “rapidly getting out of hand”.
He added: “Security staff and people in the hotel were in great fear about what was going to happen to them.”
The court was shown body-worn camera footage of Fisher throwing the bike in the skip, as well as “lobbing” a children’s scooter towards the hotel and telling a police officer to “f— off”.
He was also seen riding a children’s bicycle and throwing it in the building’s direction.
After reinforcements arrived, the crowd was eventually dispersed.
In mitigation, Alexandra Scott said that Fisher had given police the flight number of his “not inexpensive” holiday so that they could arrest him on his arrival back in the UK.
“He took what steps he could to try and see if he could adjourn it. But ultimately he made a decision to prioritise his commitment to his partner and their holiday,” she said.
Ms Scott added that Fisher accepted his conduct was “entirely unacceptable” having “considered what it must have been like for those inside”.
‘Foul, abusive, racist’ chants
Addressing him about his bail offence, Judge Nigel Lickley KC said: “That demonstrates a cavalier attitude to the courts and the offence you committed. You delayed justice.”
The judge added that Fisher’s actions were accompanied by “foul, abusive, racist chants”.
“The sole purpose of that group of which you were one was to intimidate, frighten, and terrify the occupants of the migrant hotel,” the judge said.
“They were your target – there was no legitimate aim, it was totally unjustified and unlawful. It is troubling to think such activity took place with no justification.
“The mob you were part of was very intimidating and threatening. It has had wide-ranging consequences. People have been made to feel unsafe and fearful.
”[Your offences] are so serious only immediate custody is justified.”
Fisher was jailed for two years and four months for violent disorder as well as one month for failing to surrender.
Former soldier confronted police in Rotherham
Others rioters sentenced on Wednesday included a former soldier who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, who was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Peter Beard, a 43-year-old father of three from Rotherham, admitted pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Another man, Morgan Hardy, alleged to have been involved in the same riot, had his bail revoked after being accused of throwing chairs, fencing and a fire extinguisher at police.
He pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, a man who tried but failed to set fire to a wheelie bin which was pushed towards riot police during disorder in Middlesbrough was jailed for 26 months.
Michael Stevenson, 34, was recognised by a police officer who watched YouTube footage of the widespread trouble in the town on August 4.
A grandfather-of-seven and a former soldier involved in a peace-keeping operation were among five men jailed today for their roles in the Rotherham riots, as they were told they have brought shame on their families.
As the total number of people charged in connection with the widespread violent disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers Rotherham reached 54, five more men were sentenced and jailed at Sheffield Crown Court today for their roles in the riots.
All of the men were brought before South Yorkshire’s most senior judge, The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, during five separate Sheffield Crown Court hearings.
Judge Richardson invariably told the five different men their participation in the riots on August 4, 2024 was ‘shameful’ and that they had brought their prison sentences upon themselves.
During the course of today’s proceedings, he described the incident, during which 51 police officers, three police dogs and one police horse were injured, as being ‘racist from first to last’.
Judge Richardson also said he believes the incident is likely to have ‘historic notoriety,’ not just in the minds of those living in South Yorkshire, but across the country too.
Around 750 people are believed to have been present during the disorder, and in an update issued today South Yorkshire Police confirmed that 35 people of the 54 charged so far have been convicted, after entering guilty pleas.
Among those sentenced today is a dad-of-two whose criminal behaviour is likely to result in his family being made homeless, a well-respected veteran, a grandfather-of-seven and a man whose new wife is said to be ‘disgusted’ by his behaviour.
Sentencing of Peter Beard
A former solider who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo , Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Father-of-three Peter Beard , 43, of Becknoll Road, Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham , was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob confronting officers outside the Holiday Inn Express.
The court heard how Beard’s aggression toward the officers came at a critical time in the rioting after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.
Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and the judge said he was “astonished” that the defendant had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper. Sentencing former solider, Judge Richardson KC told him: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and, in many respects, astonishing.
“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British Army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation.
“You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones.
“You know what it is like to be under attack and, yet, there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.
“That’s why I have described your conduct as astonishing.
“You have been, so to speak, a victim yourself and here you are falling for sentence as a perpetrator.”
The judge said: “It really is astonishing that I am required to pass a sentence of that kind on an individual such as you.
“This is a disaster for you. It’s a disaster for your family.”
Sentencing of Michael Bailey
A grandfather-of-seven ‘gleefully’ told a police officer ‘it’s happening today, that hotel’s getting burned down today’ during widespread disorder outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.
Sheffield Crown Court was shown body-worn footage of 50-year-old Michael Bailey, who was dressed in a red England shirt and seen to be drinking alcohol during parts of the disorder, making the comment to a police officer.
Judge Richardson, who branded the utterance ‘racist,’ told Bailey: “You made that observation in the midst of disorder of a considerable degree. You said it gleefully to the police officer.
“You knew exactly what was going to happen, moreover it did happen.”
The court has previously heard of a large industrial bin being set alight and placed in the way of the hotel’s fire exit during the course of the disorder, following which attempts were made to place a second bin on top of it and to set that on fire.
Bailey’s conduct did not end there, prosecutor, Joseph Bell, told the court, adding that Bailey was one of two men who lay in the road in an attempt to prevent a police dog van from moving off.
Describing what happened next, Judge Richardson added: “A wing mirror had been damaged by others. You knocked it off. The driver, thus, couldn’t see what was going on behind him in the midst of this disorder. It was very unsafe, it was very dangerous.”
Bailey, of Hawthorne Drive, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19, 2024.
Defending, Emma Coverley, told the court that Bailey, who has no other criminal convictions, saw information regarding a peaceful protest being shared online, and walked to the scene of the disorder alone.
Ms Coverley stressed that while Bailey talked about the hotel being burned down he had ‘never indicated that he would be involved with that’.
She told the court that Bailey has three adult children and seven grandchildren, for whom he plays a ‘very active role in their care’.
Ms Coverley told the court that while Bailey’s wife, who was present in court to support him, works, he is the main breadwinner and their finances were likely to be detrimentally affected by a prison sentence.
She agreed with Judge Richardson’s suggestion that the couple may now lose their house.
Judge Richardson sentenced Bailey to two years, four months in custody, along with a 10-year criminal order, and told him: “It defies belief, almost, that a man aged 50 with a respectable family should behave as you did, but you did, and you must be punished.”
“You have brought ruin upon yourself, and upon your family. You are the architect of that disaster.”
A dad-of-two who had turned his life around after a troubled criminal past has been told his family should be ‘deeply ashamed’ of him, after he donned a balaclava and participated in several parts of the ‘notorious’ disorder at a Rotherham hotel, during which over 50 police officers were injured.
Judge Richardson judged 27-year-old Jordan Teal to have played a part ‘in almost every theatre of activity and serious activity in particular’ during the events that unfolded outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham on August 4.
The court heard how Teal’s partner, who has significant health problems, and the couple’s two children may now be facing homelessness due to not being able to keep up with mortgage payments while he is behind bars.
“You’ve wrecked your family,” said Judge Richardson, and told him that his family should be ‘deeply ashamed’ of him.
Detailing Teal’s ‘extensive’ role, which he described as ‘racist from first to last,’ Judge Richardson continued: “You were outside the front of the hotel shouting abuse at the police officers, protecting the front entrance. You were wearing a balaclava, and you said – in a venomous fashion: “Police protecting paedophiles inside the hotel’.
“You were also chanting, along with others: ‘Save our kids’.
“You were being as provocative as provocative could be. You were uttering venomous comments towards the occupants of the hotel. You were intent on violence, that is self-evident.”
“You went around to an area of the hotel where there was a fence. You were part of a group who ripped up that fence. That fence was to be used, and indeed was used, as a form of missile.
“As part and parcel of that, you were part of a group who smashed windows and attacked, in a vicious, violent and deliberate fashion, that attacked the hotel, thereby terrifying the occupants.”
“Finally, you were part of a group after that, hurling high-octane abuse at police officers.”
Teal, aged 34, of Railway Terrace, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
Prosecutor, Joseph Bell, told the court that Teal has a criminal record consisting of 13 previous offences from nine convictions, the most recent of which was a decade ago in 2014.
Defending Emma Coverley told the court that Teal is a father to two young children, aged two and seven, adding that his last conviction in 2014 had been a ‘turning point,’ following which he had found gainful work as a groundskeeper.
“In fact that has allowed the family to buy a house,” Ms Coverley said.
Ms Coverley detailed how Teal’s partner is unable to work because she has epilepsy, something she described as a ‘significant health problem,’ and said she had been reliant upon Teal’s care.
She told the court that Teal’s partner was almost certainly going to be unable to make the mortgage payments on her own.
Jailing Teal for two years, eight months, Judge Richardson said: “[Your partner] is almost certainly going to be made homeless…your children will be put out of their house.”
“All of this misery – and make no mistake there will be misery – that you have caused your family is down to you. Public shaming, economic deprivation, they will suffer because of your actions.”
Judge Richardson also made Teal the subject of a 10-year criminal behaviour order.
Sentencing of Lewis Merritt
A 27-year-old man, who involved himself in four separate parts of the disorder outside the Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers, ‘endeavoured to camouflage his identity’ and prevent justice from being done, a Sheffield judge has said.
The court heard how Lewis Merritt, who was dressed all in light blue, wore a balaclava for much of his involvement in the Rotherham riots, but was still identified by police.
“You were masked. That was an endeavour to camouflage your identity so police would not be able to arrest you and bring you to justice in this court,” Judge Richardson said.
Prosecutor, Joseph Bell, said Merritt’s criminal behaviour began when he ‘grabbed hold’ of a police officer who was already on the ground, after being knocked down by others.
Merritt denied being one of the individuals to knock her to the ground when he entered a guilty plea to the offence of assault of an emergency worker during a Sheffield Magistrates’ Court hearing on August 16. He also entered a guilty plea to a second offence of violent disorder during the same hearing.
The second part of Merritt’s involvement, while he was still masked, related to what Judge Richardson described as an ‘attack’ upon a police dog van as it attempted to escape the disorder.
“You were part of a group throwing missiles at police officers who were trying to keep law and order,” Judge Richardson said, detailing the third part of Merritt’s involvement.
He continued: “When the hotel was eventually breached, windows were smashed, individuals go inside. You were well to the fore…it was a terrifying episode, it was a racist episode, it was truly shocking from first to last.”
Mr Bell told the court that Merritt, of Victoria Road, Balby, Doncaster, has 24 offences from 13 convictions on his record – the majority of which are for driving matters, including dangerous driving and was on licence from a 25-month sentence for the offence of burglary when he participated in the Rotherham disorder.
Defending, Dermot Hughes said there was no ‘getting away’ from the seriousness of Merritt’s offending, adding that Merritt is ‘ashamed of himself’.
Mr Hughes said that prior to the disorder, Merritt had found work as a ‘chicken catcher of all things,’ and while Merritt knows he must stay where he is in custody, the work has been gained through a personal connection and he is ‘hopeful’ he may be able to return to it when he is released from custody.
Judge Richardson sentenced Merritt to two years, eight months in custody, and made him the subject of a 10-year community order.
“You were one of those well to the fore in those four separate incidents that afternoon…it was shameful, it was disgusting and it must be punished,” Judge Richardson told Merritt.
A Rotherham man who got married just three months ago was told his actions in the Rotherham disorder were likely to cause ‘ruination’ for his family.
30-year-old Lewis Lynch was another this afternoon’s defendants who involved himself in multiple parts of the disorder at the Holiday Inn Express, despite having numerous responsibilities including a new wife and a promising job.
Speaking after the court had been shown detailed video footage of Lynch’s involvement, Judge Richardson told him: “You are a married man. You married your wife in May of this year. She is – I am told – disgusted by what you did. Your family are present sitting in the public gallery of this Crown Court sitting in what can only be described as shocked silence, just as any decent person would be.”
He added: “You’ve truly wrecked your life, and the lives of many others
The court heard how Lynch, who had no criminal convictions, prior to the incident of widespread violence was caught on camera involving himself in five separate incidents, all of which Judge Richardson branded ‘comprehensively shameful, comprehensively violent, comprehensively racist’.
Lynch, while wearing a mask, was seen to ‘confront police officers,’ before becoming involved in what has been termed as the ‘fire door incident’ where the hotel was breached and damaged was caused by some of those involved in the disorder.
Judge Richardson said Lynch was part of a group, or ‘mob,’ who were seen carrying chairs and other items including fire extinguishers out of the hotel.
“Chairs, fire extinguishers, pieces of wood and other missiles were hurled at them,” Judge Richardson said, noting that the officers were at that time vastly outnumbered by members of the various people participating in the disorder.
Judge Richardson said he regarded Lynch to have played a ‘prominent part’ of that group.
He added: “After that you sought to challenge officers in a particularly violent fashion.
The court heard how Lynch became involved in an incident involving a police dog van, which was prevented from leaving the area, before being shaken and rocked.
“You prevented the police vehicle from moving off,” Judge Richardson said, before adding: “There came a point when you joined in in rocking and shaking the vehicle, such that it could have been toppled over, causing injury to both those inside the vehicle and those outside.”
The court heard how Lynch ‘kicked out’ at a police officer in the final part of his involvement.
Lynch, aged 30, of Burman Road, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 16.
Defending, Dermot Hughes said Lynch earned a good wage in his role as a machine operator, and said Lynch knows that someone will now have to ‘fill his shoes’ while he is in custody, and he is likely to lose his job as a consequence.
Mr Hughes said that from May this year, when Lynch was married, to now, Lynch had managed to go from ‘setting himself up for life to taking that all away’.
“He will have ruination for years to come,” remarked Judge Richardson.
Describing Lynch’s conduct as an ‘afternoon of madness,’ Mr Hughes suggested he had become involved out of ‘curiosity not ideology’ and has already suffered some ‘punishment’ through the shame he has brought upon his family.
Judge Richardson sentenced Lynch to two years, eight months in custody, and handed him a 10-year criminal behaviour order. Sheffield Star
A father-of-three who left a police officer fearing for their life as he tried to smash a van window has been jailed for three years.
Luke Moran, from Birkdale, was one of five people sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday for their part in violent disorder in Southport.
Describing the 38-year-old’s attack with a lump of concrete, a judge said it was “as bad a case as I have seen so far”.
The latest group of defendants to appear in court over the recent disorder that swept across the country also included men accused or convicted of unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, south Yorkshire.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, at least 497 people have so far been charged in relation to the weeks-long unrest that broke out in England and Northern Ireland following a stabbing attack in Southport that left three young girls dead and 10 others injured, including eight children.
Liverpool Crown Court was played police body camera footage showing Moran hitting the vehicle’s window three times with the piece of concrete.
Judge Neil Flewitt said that a police officer in the vehicle “feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked”.
A statement from a police officer said the men who attacked his van were “whipped into a frenzy”.
The officer’s body cam footage captured the roofer’s face as he attacked the police van. Its driver is clearly heard saying “we’re going to have to bail” as the footage ends.
The court was told the driver then escaped out of the rear of the van, covered by other officers as he fled.
Nicholas Sinclair, 38, was also sentenced to two years and four months for his involvement in the rioting.
The manager of a scaffolding firm from Birkdale admitted throwing bricks and pleaded guilty to violent disorder as a result.
Two other men were sentenced at the same time.
Daniel Carrigan, 41, of Liverpool, admitted to throwing two items at the window of the police van. He said he was struggling with cocaine addiction and had been on the drug at the time.
He was jailed for two years and eight months.
Thomas Whitehead, 53, of Southport, who worked as a gardener, was given a year and eight months for throwing an object during the violent disorder.
The court was told he “does not know what took hold of him when he threw that one missile from the back of the group”.
All the men were told they would be made to serve at least half of their sentences.
Earlier, a 20-year-old from Banks in Southport, who admitted throwing concrete during the riots, was given a prison sentence of 18 months in a young offenders’ institution.
Jake Lowther was captured on CCTV taking part in the violent disorder and was told by the judge he would spend half of his sentence in prison and half in the community.
It was accepted in sentencing that his actions were out of character and his defence conceded their client “did something extremely foolish”.
Lowther’s parents were in the public gallery and as he was taken away. His mother tried to offer comfort by saying “love you, it’s ok”.
Rotherham
Those in court on Wednesday in relation to the unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham included a former soldier.
Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting to pushing aggressively on a line of officers.
The father-of-three, who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, was told by Judge Jeremy Richardson KC: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and, in many respects, astonishing.”
Passing sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, the judge heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and said he was surprised that he had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper.
Hull
A man who charged at police officers with a metal bench is among three men who have been jailed for their part in violent unrest in Hull.
Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, Hull, admitted violent disorder and looting two shops at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. He was handed a two-year jail term on Wednesday.
David Buckle, 39, and Jermaine Glover, 23, were sentenced to three years and two years respectively for their roles.
Buckle, of Southgate Way, Hull, admitted violent disorder at Hull Magistrate’s Court on 14 August.
Glover, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson at the same court the following day.
Peter Beard, sentenced for disorder at asylum seeker hotel, is told his conduct was ‘astonishing’ given his army past
A former soldier who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting confronting police as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed on police bodyworn cameras at the front of a mob outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.
The court heard that Beard’s aggression towards officers came at a critical time in the rioting, after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.
Sentencing Beard at Sheffield crown court, the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Richardson KC, said: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and in many respects astonishing.
“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation. You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones. You know what it is like to be under attack and yet there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.”A former soldier who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting confronting police as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed on police bodyworn cameras at the front of a mob outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.
The court heard that Beard’s aggression towards officers came at a critical time in the rioting, after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.
Sentencing Beard at Sheffield crown court, the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Richardson KC, said: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and in many respects astonishing.
“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation. You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones. You know what it is like to be under attack and yet there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.”
Also at Sheffield crown court, Thomas Birley, 27, who threw a wood panel on to a fire outside the same hotel, admitted a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
The court heard that Birley, of Swinton, Rotherham, was involved in several incidents outside the hotel, including stoking a fire in a bin that was pushed against an exit, throwing items at the police and squaring up to officers while brandishing a police baton.
Richardson told Birley that his offending was unquestionably the most serious of all that he had dealt with in the last fortnight in relation to the rioting that followed the killing of three girls in Southport last month. He said: “The sentence must be of some substance. This is a crime which carries a life sentence. I rule nothing in and rule nothing out.”
The judge said Birley would be sentenced on 6 September and remanded him into custody and ordered that a psychiatric report be prepared.
At Liverpool crown court, Jake Lowther, 20, was sentenced to 18 months in a young offender institution. Lowther, of Banks, near Southport, nodded to his parents as his mother called out “love you” from the public gallery.
The court head that Lowther was seen in video footage in a crowd in Southport, gesticulating towards officers while others threw missiles. Judge Flewitt KC said that at one point Lowther picked up two pieces of brick or stone from a broken wall and threw them towards police officers, with one piece hitting a riot shield.
Also at Liverpool crown court, Luke Moran was jailed for three years after he tried to smash a window of a police van in Southport. The court heard that Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm since his image had been published after the violence.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran was filmed on bodyworn camera with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver-side window of a police van three times as an officer sat inside. In the footage, the officer could be heard telling colleagues over his radio: “I’m going to have to bail, my window’s about to go through.”
Flewitt told the court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far. Unsurprisingly, at that stage PC Hayes feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked.”
Daniel Carrigan, 41, of Liverpool, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport. Footage was played to the court showing him throwing items at a police van and kicking the side of the vehicle.
Charles Lander, defending, said Carrigan had taken cocaine on the day of the incident and said his addiction to the drug was “out of control”. The court heard that Carrigan had previously been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault after telling a traffic warden in 2016 that he should “return back to his own country”.
Thomas Whitehead, 53, who was part of a large group that gathered outside a mosque in Southport, was jailed for one year and eight months for violent disorder after being arrested onboard a plane.
At Liverpool crown court, Smith, prosecuting, said Whitehead’s picture was circulated and he was arrested on 13 August at Manchester airport. Whitehead, a gardener, of Southport, told police he had been to the pub when he noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening, and he admitted he had been involved in throwing items.
And a manager at a scaffolding firm was jailed for two years and four months after admitting being part of the violent disorder in Southport. Nicholas Sinclair, 38, of Birkdale, was seen in footage from 30 July shouting at police and throwing bricks.
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