Archive

Tag Archives: riots

‘We’re protecting our kids…’ rioter told he displayed ‘extraordinary level of ignorance’

By
October 20, 2024
Uncategorized

Steven Miller was one of the latest rioters to face justice

A rioter who launched vile abuse outside a hotel housing asylum seekers was told he displayed an ‘‘extraordinary level of ignorance’.

Steven Miller launched into a tirade aimed at an asylum seeker being escorted into the building, as well as a police officer. He was one of up to 70 people who attended the protest outside the hotel on Oldham Road in Newton Heath, after false information was posted online about the alleged perpetrator of the killing of three girls in Southport.

The disorder in north Manchester came after a Facebook post which read: “Let’s get them out. “6pm today. Stand up and take note, because if you don’t, no-one will.”

Police attended on July 31 as thugs launched missiles towards the building and officers, including bricks and bottles. A bus came under attack and the driver was injured. Others including 38-year-old Miller launched vile verbal abuse.

In footage played to the court, Miller could be heard calling an asylum seeker a ‘nonce’ and asked ‘why are you here?’ In another video, which police discovered on his mobile phone, Miller had filmed officers who were trying to move the mob away from Oldham Road.

Miller, of Devon Street, Farnworth, could be heard saying: “We’re peaceful. We’re protecting our kids, that’s all we’re doing, from these vile people.

“Take your uniform off and stand with us brother. What about your kids bruv?”

Sentencing, Judge Patrick Field KC told Miller that the asylum seekers were ‘vulnerable people’ who ‘probably deserved a bit of empathy from you rather than vile abuse’.

“The words you used not only displayed your own lack of tolerance, but an extraordinary level of ignorance too,” he said. Miller was jailed for 15 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

His barrister claimed Miller had been ‘failed rather spectacularly by the state’ while in care as a child, and said he had suffered mental health issues. Sarah Magill said Miller has a six-month-old baby, and that his partner is without him following his ‘incredibly stupid’ actions.

Two others who attended the protest were sentenced in separate hearings on Friday. The judge said that Conor Grange, 30, behaved ‘aggressively’ and his presence provided ‘encouragement’ to others. His barrister David Toal said Grange, of Church Street, Failsworth has a job and a family, and added that his month-long spell in prison on remand had provided a ‘short, sharp shock’.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Regan Goodwin was seen picking up a brick, but he did not launch it and instead threw it to the ground.

The judge said he was an ‘active participant’ and at one stage appeared ‘rather pleased with yourself’. “One suspects you are not in quite such a self congratulatory mood now,” the judge added. His barrister Rob Kearney said Goodwin has a job and a young child with his partner.

“His mother and his partner don’t share the defendant’s sentiments, and have a particular view about his behaviour that day,” Mr Kearney said. Goodwin, 24, of Kennington Avenue, Newton Heath, was jailed for 12 months. Goodwin and Grange both pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Manchester Evening News

What on earth brought on this?’: Mum-of-two loses job following ‘appalling and deplorable’ scenes

By
October 20, 2024
Uncategorized

Lindsay Keenan, 50, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment

A mother lost her job after launching a volley of ‘deeply hurtful and racist language’.

Lindsay Keenan, 50, from Middleton, was heard shouting ‘f*** off back to your own country’ during the large scale disorder in Manchester city centre last month. A far-right demonstration was held in Piccadilly Gardens, with protestors being met by counter protestors.

Manchester Crown Court heard a witness present at the incident saw and heard mum-of-two Keenan launch the racist abuse. He later went home and watched footage on TikTok from the disorder.

“He says he saw what he believed to be the same person using similar abuse towards two Asian females,” prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said. The man then alerted police to the footage. Keenan was identified and was arrested.

She told police: “Well what about the other woman, has she been arrested too?” Keenan, of Glen Grove, Middleton, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment, an offence which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

Keenan has since lost her job and has her good character, after previously being unknown to the courts. “After 50 years of blameless behaviour, you find yourself sitting in the dock of a crown court, faced with a potential custodial sentence,” Judge Patrick Field KC told her.

“I expect that at some point you have asked yourself, ‘what on earth brought on this?’ I will tell you what brought you to it immediately. That was the fact that on August 3 this year, you committed an offence of racially aggravated disorderly behaviour.

“It was an ugly and intimidating incident. Your behaviour was appalling and deplorable.

“I suspect that if in a quieter moment before August 3, somebody had asked you whether you were ever likely to behave like this, you would have said no.”

The judge said Keenan was seen and heard ‘telling people with darker skin than you or I ‘f*** off back to your own country’. He continued: “This was deeply hurtful and racist language. Very few of us, looking around the courtroom, will have experienced anything like being on the wrong end of that sort of language.

“Very few of us will have any insight into what inevitably is a deeply dehumanising effect of such language. But that is why we regard it as such a serious offence.”

Defending, Emma Clarke said: “In hindsight she knows she never should have acted in the way that she did. She is a complete stranger to the criminal justice system.

“She is utterly disappointed at the fact that her emotions in that moment got the better of her and caused her to lose her good character at the age of 50. She is a devoted, hard working mother and partner.

“She has never been without a job up until now. She is the sole provider for the family.” Ms Clarke said that Keenan has ‘learnt a very stern lesson’.

Judge Field sentenced Keenan to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was ordered to attend the women’s problem solving court, and attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

“You have a notable work record,” the judge told Keenan. “I appreciate you have lost your job as a result of this.

“That I am sure, within anything that I have got to say, brought home how grave this is. You have received a merciful sentence. You make sure you don’t come back to my court.”

Manchester Evening News

Business owner went to the pub to celebrate – then took his balaclava off

By
October 20, 2024
Uncategorized

Ryan Leckey, 24, was jailed after pleading guilty to violent disorder

A balaclava-wearing thug who carried a box of beers to a large-scale disturbance outside a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers has been jailed.

Ryan Leckey, 24, joined a mass demonstration outside the hotel on Oldham Road, in Newton Heath, on July 31 this year. He was seen to throw a missile towards the hotel whilst others hurled abuse at the occupants and the police.

Afterwards, he went to celebrate in a pub nearby before he was caught on CCTV taking his balaclava off, Manchester Crown Court heard.

At the same incident, 42-year-old Darren Butler threatened one officer that he would ‘kick your f***ing head’ in before shouting: “They are protecting nonce’s.”

Both were jailed today, September 18, after admitting violent disorder. Disorder spread across the country last month after misinformation spouted online about the killing of three children in Southport.

Prosecuting, Kate Gaskell said police were deployed to the hotel after reporting of a large crowd forming. Racist abuse was hurled as missiles, including eggs, bottles and bricks, were thrown, she said.

Leckey, of Newton Heath, was caught on bodycam walking down the road carrying a large box of beer over his shoulder.

“He was seen picking something up and throwing it, directing it towards the hotel,” Ms Gaskell said. “He was then seen to move off to a local pub and celebrated his actions before taking off his balaclava.”

Mitigating for Leckey, who had no previous convictions, Rebecca Filletti said her client was ‘extremely sorry’.

“He is sorry to the people there, sorry to the victims of this, sorry to the police and sorry to his family,” she said. “He has asked me to tell the court he is ashamed of his behaviour that day and said his family have worked too hard to see him in this situation.”

The court heard that Leckey’s parents were on holiday at the time but had previously expressed concern about his peers. The business owner, who runs his own shoe cobbling company, said he joined a group of friends during the incident.

Butler, of Oldham, was captured on the footage approaching officers who were trying to move the crowd away, with a number of others.

“He could be heard to shout: “I will kick your f***ing head in”. He also shouted: “They are protecting nonce’s”, the prosecutor added.

After the footage of the incident was played to the court, Butler, who appeared over videolink from HMP Dovegate, said: “I am disgusted with myself.” When he was arrested he told officers that he was an ‘idiot’ for going to the riot.

Joshua Bowker, representing Butler, said his client was there for a short period of time and did not take any weapons or throw any missiles. “His involvement is the words said and his demeanour,” the barrister added.

“He suggests he attended out of intrigue and is very regretful.” He said that Butler, who has 25 previous convictions for 52 offences, was last before the courts in 2018.

Sentencing them, Judge Alan Conrad KC said that following the disorder against innocent people: “The courts must make clear, and will keep making clear, that for this sort of behaviour in a civil society, only serious punishment will follow. Deterrent sentences are necessary.”

Leckey, of Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, was jailed for 16 months. Butler, of Cattlin Way, Oldham, was jailed for 17 months. Both will serve half of their terms in prison before being released on licence.

Manchester Evening News

Barrister claims disorder outside hotel housing asylum seekers was ‘less about racism’ and ‘more about’ anti-government sentiment

By
October 20, 2024
Uncategorized

Violence that erupted in Newton Heath after Southport stabbings was ‘less about racism’ and ‘more about a general feeling about the government’, a defence barrister has claimed

A barrister claimed violent disorder that erupted outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in north Manchester was ‘less about racism’ and was ‘more about’ anti-government feeling.

The comments were made during the sentencing of a balaclava-wearing thug who was part of a ‘mob’ who attacked a bus in Newton Heath. Kemmy Grange, 20, was part of the disorder that took place outside a Holiday Inn on Oldham Road on July 31 during a wave of violence that swept the country following the deaths of three young girls in Southport.

Manchester Crown Court heard the Newton Heath protest on July 31 was organised via Facebook in a post that read ‘Let’s get them out. 6pm today,’ followed by three clenched fist emojis and a St George’s flag.

During the disorder racist chants were heard, bricks and bottles were hurled at police and the hotel and a passing bus was attacked. A resident of the hotel, which was housing families and children among others, was injured after he was hit by flying glass.

During mitigation, defence barrister Richard Dawson said: “This was less about racism and more about a general feeling in the community about how the government was managing this community and immigration into this community.”

Judge John Potter replied: “Are you seriously telling me this was some kind of anti-government protest? I completely disagree. Racist chants were made towards the Holiday Inn and the bus. Nobody stood up and said ‘let’s get this government out’.”

Mr Dawson replied: “This individual was not there because of any underlying racist characteristics.” While the violence was ongoing Grange was captured on CCTV riding a bike on nearby Fletcher Street where he was seen to stop and pocket some ‘debris’ he picked up from the floor.

The court was shown CCTV footage from the number 83 bus, in which Grange could be seen wearing a balaclava, black top and black shorts attempting to ‘impede’ the vehicle. During the CCTV the windscreen was smashed, and shouts of ‘Take the bus’ could be heard.

The driver, who was injured after being assaulted through a side window, can be heard asking if the passengers are alright before telling them to get off the bus and ‘go to the police quickly’.

In a victim impact statement the driver said the attack had left him ‘stressed’ and ‘scared’. He was praised by Judge Potter for his ‘commendable bravery’.

Police footage was also shown to the court showing Grange among a group of males who could be seen hurling bricks and other missiles towards officers, although it was accepted the defendant hadn’t thrown anything. Grange was later identified by police after being caught on camera outside a pub without a face covering.

He was arrested at a house in Moston where police found £200 of cannabis in a kitchen cupboard.

Mr Dawson defending, said Grange had an ‘undiagnosed neurological disorder’ and was a ‘young man who had a somewhat troubled upbringing’. He added: “Plainly this was a disgraceful and highly inappropriate course of conduct. He is deeply ashamed and offers a sincere apology.”

Grange, of Elysian Street, Openshaw, admitted violent disorder and possession of a class B drug. Appearing via video link from Forest Bank prison in Salford he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and given a five year criminal behaviour order.

Judge Potter said the violent disorder in Newton Heath was ‘organised via lies and racist comments spread on Facebook’. The judge told Grange he ‘took part in the attack’ on the bus and was seen to ‘impede’ the vehicle ‘in an attempt by the mob to make it stop, no doubt the intention being those on board should be attacked’.

Judge Potter said while he accepted Grange had not thrown any missiles his presence at the disorder ‘was designed to encourage such lawless behaviour’.
Manchester Evening News

Topless thug tried to hide his face during Piccadilly riots… it didn’t work

By
October 20, 2024
Uncategorized

Lee Upton is the latest to be jailed

A topless thug punched a man before behaving in a ‘loutish’ manner during large-scale disorder in Piccadilly Gardens.

Lee Upton, 54, is the latest to be jailed for his part in the trouble that broke out in the city centre on August 3 when a far-right demonstration was held, with counter-protestors also attending. Upton was caught on camera punching a man while a ‘heated debate’ was ongoing between the two sides.

He was pushed away then began to loiter at the back of the crowds. Manchester Crown Court heard that he then moved down Mosley Street, where thugs were attacking the front of a vape shop, and a Sainsbury’s store was looted.

Upton, who was not involved in either incident, was seen on footage shirtless, having wrapped his T-shirt around the lower part of his face. In the footage he is seen to make a gesture as if he were holding an ‘imaginary rifle’, prosecutor Philip Hall said.

Mr Hall claimed that Upton made a ‘Nazi salute’. Upton’s lawyer said he denied this, and the judge said he was not sure that he had done so.

Upton was later arrested after being spotted by police in Altrincham town centre. “You were part of an unruly, threatening and on occasion violent mob that congregated in Piccadilly Gardens and then moved along Mosley Street,” Judge Patrick Field KC told Upton.

“You were seen to strike a blow with your fist to the face of a man who was arguing with others as two opposing groups came together. It is perhaps in your favour that that blow didn’t lead to widespread violence at that point.

“That perhaps says more about your victim and the people around him, than it says about you. This was on any view nasty, unpleasant and loutish behaviour, but I have to acknowledge that it is significantly less serious than other behaviour that I have seen displayed in respect of that day.”

Prosecutors pointed to the fact that he covered part of his face with his T-shirt. “It was an incompetent attempt to avoid detection,” the judge said.

Upton, who has 62 previous offences on his record, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder. Defending, Laura Broome said Upton takes ‘full responsibility’ for his behaviour and is ‘ashamed’ of his actions.

She said Upton became homeless following the death of his mother, and that he sleeps on the streets or sometimes at a hotel. Upton, of Bailey Lane, Wythenshawe, was also handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from a certain area of Manchester city centre, which will last for three years.

Manchester Evening News

Man pleads guilty over Weymouth disorder

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

A 31-year-old man from Portland has pleaded guilty to a public order offence following disorder in Weymouth.

About 400 anti-immigration protesters and 200 Stand Up to Racism demonstrators gathered on The Esplanade on 4 August.

James Hepburn pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence.

He was bailed and will be sentenced at Poole Magistrates on 21 November.

A previous charge of “encouraging or assisting in the commission of offences of murder believing one or more will be committed” was discontinued.

BBC News

Man jailed for violent disorder in Southport

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

A man who threw missiles at police and their vehicles in Southport has been jailed for two years, two months today (Friday 18 October).

Lawrence Howarth, 33 years, of Carnoustie Close, Manchester was convicted of violent disorder in Southport where he was identified throwing objects at officers and at a police vehicle.

He was jailed today at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: “The actions of those involved in the disorder in Southport – including Howarth – left more than 50 officers injured, windows smashed, garden walls destroyed and local residents in fear.

“Howarth will now have time in a prison cell to reflect on his decision to bring chaos and destruction to our streets.

“We have now seen 73 people sentenced to a total of 156-and-a-half years in prison for the part they played in disorder in Merseyside, with 131 arrested and 93 of those charged.

“We continue to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Our latest gallery can be found here: CCTV appeal to help identify 74 people as part of investigation into violent disorder in Merseyside | Merseyside Police

Merseyside Police

Ex-Army teen who stood on wall making ‘racist speech’ during riot is jailed

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

Evan Wilkins-Doyle said he is ‘disgusted’ and ‘ashamed’ of his behaviour during the Hartlepool riot

A teenager who volunteered with a charity helping refugees shouted racially aggravated abuse at the summer riot in Hartlepool.

Evan Wilkins-Doyle appeared before Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting to a charge of violent disorder on the night of rioting in the town on July 31. Rachel Masters prosecuting, told the court crowds has gathered following social media posts about protests and by 8pm the mood had turned violent.

She said the defendant was part of the crowd and showed the court CCTV footage of him standing on a wall addressing others. His speech included “Islam is getting further and further into our f****** country”, “don’t let them take our land off us” “step forward, step forward”. Ms Masters said he was trying to surge the crowd forward.

The prosecutor said Wilkins-Doyle, 19, of The Spinney, Hartlepool, had handed himself in to the police and said he had gone because he thought it was going to be a peaceful protest. Stephen Constantine, defending, told the sentencing hearing that the teenager is of previously good character and has spent a lot of his time doing good in the local community and helping others.

He said Wilkins-Doyle had even volunteered for a charity with his mum helping refugees. “The defendant made a speech, or whatever it can be called, for about 20 second and got off the wall,” the court heard.

“You could be forgiven for not understanding why he climbed on that wall and said the things he said. What he said was clearly entirely at odds with the way he has presented himself throughout the rest of his life. It is impossible to explain it.”

He said his clients’ family members are all astonished and the defendant has said he is “disgusted” and “ashamed” by his actions. Mr Constantine said: “Those are the words he used to describe himself and he is at a loss as to explain why he acted in such a way.

“This type of behaviour is alien to him and his family.” The barrister said it is something his client never wants to repeat or put his family through again.

Judge Francis Laird said Wilkins-Doyle had suffered heartache following the death of his step-father and disappointment in being medically discharged from the army and unable to pursue the careers he wanted. He said: “The combination of these factors did affect you greatly.”

He said he found the words he used on that evening did make the crime racially aggravated. But, he took into account all the positive things he had been told about him and his early guilty plea and sentenced him to 14 months in prison.

Gazette Live

Man, 23, is latest to be sentenced over Southport violent disorder

By
October 18, 2024
Uncategorized

Man, 23, is latest to be sentenced over Southport violent disorder

A 23 year-old man has been sentenced for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on July 30. Harry Holmes Moore, of Zetland Street, Southport, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, October 17).

Moore was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity days. A 27 year-old man from Wigan has also been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in Southport and has been conditionally bailed.

So far, 131 people have been arrested, and 72 people sentenced to a total of 154 years and four months. The latest people to be charged with violent disorder include a 13-year-old girl from Anfield, while 20-year-old Harry Conway, of Vivian Drive, in Birkdale, who hurled missiles at police, was given one year and eight months in a Youth Offender Institution. He was sentenced for his role in violent disorder in Southport after he was identified on CCTV footage.

Police are asking for anyone with information to contact them via their Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The latest gallery of people they would like to speak to relating to the disorder can be found here: CCTV appeal to help identify 74 people as part of investigation into violent disorder in Merseyside | Merseyside Police.

Liverpool Echo

Birmingham thug who attacked police officer with a glass during the Summer race riots is jailed

By
October 17, 2024
Uncategorized

Adam Turner squared up to officers who had been sent to Solihull following reports that a group of masked men were heading to a local mosque from the area of The Greville Arms, on Cornyx Lane, Solihull

A man who attacked a police officer with a pint glass during the Summer race riots has been jailed. Police went to the Greville Arms, on Cornyx Lane, Solihull, on the evening of August 4, following reports that a gang of masked men were planning on travelling to a local mosque.

Adam Turner had been drinking outside the pub with 40 others when officers arrived. A cordon was put in place to stop people heading to the mosque.

Most returned inside the pub, but Turner hit one of the officers before throwing a pint glass, which smashed on his leg. Turner, aged 38, of Waterloo Road, Yardley, Birmingham, was yesterday (Wednesday) jailed for 16 months at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting affray, which happened at around 7.30pm on August 4.

Birmingham Mail