A man has been sentenced for affray committed during a violent disorder in Bristol city centre.

Jacob Dolphin, 24, of Weston-super-Mare, admitted the offence and was given an 18-month community order and a fine at Bristol Crown Court on 23 October.

He was seen kicking out at officers on five occasions and threw an object outside Bridewell Police Station during the incident on 3 August 2024.

Judge Peter Blair described the violence during the riot as some of the worst seen in the city’s history. Dolphin was fined £900 in addition to a £95 surcharge, and was told to complete 170 hours of unpaid work.

BBC News

A bathroom fitter has been jailed after he smashed his way in through the window of a bank during a city centre riot.

Dane Peace and another man were caught on CCTV using a scaffolding pole to break through the glass front of the NatWest branch in Sunderland, while disorder swept across the city on August 2 last year (2024).

Footage shows the pair repeatedly ram the window before it eventually breaks and Peace kicks at it before he climbs in.

He is then shown roaming around inside the bank, where he stole two pin pads that had no use to him.

During the trouble that day Peace also threw missiles at police and looted a vape shop.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Peace, who runs his own bathroom fitting business, now considers his own drunken behaviour that day to be “pathetic”.

Peace, 30, of Tadcaster Road, Sunderland, admitted violent disorder and two charges of burglary and earlier this week was jailed for two years and four months.

Judge Robert Adams said Peace’s behaviour was “despicable” and added: “You were seen initially confronting police outside Aldi then seen to throw missiles a the police during an altercation outside The Yard building.”

The judge said Peace kicked windows and threw beer kegs outside The Yard office building before he went to the Vape Local shop, which was being looted.

Judge Adams said Peace then smashed his way into the NatWest bank, which he entered on two occasions, and stole two pin pads.

The judge added: “They had no value to you at all but you get them and made off with them. Your finger prints were found on the bank window.”

Mathew Hopkins, defending, said Peace feels “shame and embarrassment” and can offer no good explanation for getting involved.

Mr Hopkins said Peace was grieving his grandfather and had had to move home due to a relationship break down and added: “He started sofa surfing, drinking to excess and a friend invited him to come out to the town.

“He accepts he was extremely drunk when he was there and just started joining in with what other people were doing.”

Mr Hopkins said Peace has never been in trouble before, is “not a political person” and did not join in to target any particular group of people.

The court heard the vape shop raid cost the company £83,000 in stolen stock, damage and lost business.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said during the widespread trouble that day police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as areas became unsafe for ordinary members of the public.

Mr Pallister said: “Officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Officers were attacked with missiles and verbally abused.

“Four officers required hospital treatment and some are not fit enough to return to frontline duties.

“Police vehicles were targeted and damaged. Several patrol cars needed repairs.”

The court heard the city’s police hub was set on fire, business premises were smashed and shops were looted.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said in an impact statement police vehicles as well as community buildings and businesses came under attack that day.

Ms Jardine said the violence was met with a £1.517m policing operation and the full psychological cost to officers involved is yet to be known.

Sunderland Echo

A bathroom fitter who burgled a bank and a vape shop when he joined in a city centre riot has been put behind bars.

Dane Peace threw missiles at police and targeted two businesses which were looted during mass disorder in Sunderland on August 2 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Peace, who runs his own bathroom fitting business, now considers his own drunken behaviour that day to be “pathetic”.

Peace, 30, of Tadcaster Road, Sunderland, admitted violent disorder and two charges of burglary and has been jailed for two years and four months.

Judge Robert Adams said Peace’s behaviour was “despicable” and added: “You were seen initially confronting police outside Aldi then seen to throw missiles a the police during an altercation outside The Yard building.”

The judge said Peace kicked windows and threw beer kegs outside The Yard office building before he went to the Vape Local shop, which was being looted.

Judge Adams said Peace then smashed his way into the NatWest bank, which he entered on two occasions, and stole two pin pads.

The judge added: “They had no value to you at all but you get them and made off with them.”Your finger prints were found on the bank window.”

Mathew Hopkins, defending, said Peace feels “shame and embarrassment” and can offer no good explanation for getting involved.

Mr Hopkins said Peace was grieving his grandfather and had had to move home due to a relationship break down and added: “He started sofa surfing, drinking to excess and a friend invited him to come out to the town.

“He accepts he was extremely drunk when he was there and just started joining in with what other people were doing.”

Mr Hopkins said Peace has never been in trouble before, is “not a political person” and did not join in to target any particular group of people.

The court heard the vape shop raid cost the company £83,000 in stolen stock, damage and lost business.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said during the widespread trouble that day police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as areas became unsafe for ordinary members of the public.

Mr Pallister said: “Officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Officers were attacked with missiles and verbally abused.

“Four officers required hospital treatment and some are not fit enough to return to frontline duties.

“Police vehicles were targeted and damaged. Several patrol cars needed repairs.”

The court heard the city’s police hub was set on fire, business premises were smashed and shops were looted.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said in an impact statement police vehicles as well as community buildings and businesses came under attack that day.

Ms Jardine said the violence was met with a £1.517m policing operation and the full psychological cost to officers involved is yet to be known.

Sunderland Echo

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Two men who joined in a city centre riot then brandished a gun and knife during a racist confrontation with pub doormen have been put behind bars.

Lewis Stubbs and Tony Hall pelted missiles at police and burgled a vape shop that was trashed during the mass disorder in Sunderland last August.

In February this year the pair were drinking at the Old Skool bar in the city when bouncers asked them to leave and they reacted with racist abuse then produced weapons during a terrifying stand-off.

At Newcastle Crown Court today Stubbs was jailed for 40 months and Hall got locked up for 56 months.

Prosecutor Neil Pallsiter said during the riot on August 2 Stubbs threw a can at a cop’s head, joined the crowd outside a police hub that was vandalised and threw a plastic chair towards officers.

Mr Pallister said Hall was more heavily involved in the trouble and threw a glass bottle, bins and a parasol towards police lines.

Hall also joined the crowd outside the police hub and both men looted the vape shop.

Mr Pallister said on February 10 this year the men had been asked to leave the Old Skool pub and became aggressive with two doormen.

Stubbs then grabbed a hat from one of the bouncers and put it down his trousers.

Both then shouted racist abuse at the workers and Hall smashed a bottle on the ground while Stubbs knocked off the other bouncer’s glasses.

Mr Pallister said: “Hall said ‘go ahead and stab him’ and they saw Stubbs move his hand towards his jacket and took out a knife.”

One of the doormen heard people shouting ‘gun, gun, gun’ and saw Hall pointing a gun towards him.

The court heard the police were called and arrested Stubbs and Hall nearby. A gas powered BB gun was found in some bushes.

One of the doormen said in an impact statement he was “angry because of the racist language” and added: “I have never seen a gun before, that was the first time I have ever seen one and it made me feel a bit strange.”

The other doorman said he left the city for a week after the confrontation and added in his statement: “I felt like I had to be careful when going out and about.”

He said he worked less shifts after the incident and added: “I spent a lot of time at home, scared to be outside. The males’ friends came after and said we were snitches.”

Stubbs, 25, of Front Road, Ford Estate, Sunderland, admitted two charges of racially aggravated harassment, two of racially aggravated assault by beating, having a bladed article, violent disorder and burglary.

Jason Smith, defending, said Smith had a traumatic childhood, spent time in care and used drink and drugs to cope.

Hall, 31, of Pensher Street, Sunderland, admitted racially aggravated harassment, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing cannabis, riot and burglary.

Nicholas Lane, defending, said it was “drunken, loutish behaviour” while Hall was getting over a relationship break-up and added: “If he had been sober he wouldn’t have done it.”

Sunderland Echo

Shay Henson, of Sunderland, threw missiles at police and burgled a vape store during shameful scenes last August

A “mindless and stupid” teenager who took part in a mass riot and burglary has been locked up. Shay Henson was just 18 when he took part in violent scenes which brought shame on Sunderland last August.

He was caught on camera wearing a balaclava and throwing missiles at police, including a plant. He was also one of the those who stole vapes from a vape shop after entry had been gained by force.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: “He was in the city centre during the disorder, wearing a red jacket and a face covering. He is seen repeatedly throwing missiles towards the police during various points of the disorder.”

Mr Ahmad said a vape store was burgled during the riot and Henson was one of those who gained access and stole vapes. The store was said to have lost more than £83,000 as a result of the break-in.

Henson, 19, of Padgate Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to riot and burglary and was sent to a young offenders institution for 32 months. Judge Edward Bindloss said what happened in Sunderland that day mirrored what had happened in other cities and towns in the preceding days.

He told Henson: “You and others brought shame upon the city of Sunderland. Each individual act, whatever might be its character on its own, inflames and encourages others to act in a similar fashion. You saw others and that encouraged you and your behaviour encouraged others.

“Those who participate in mass disorder must expect long sentences of custody, intended not just to punish but to deter others from copying their examples. I accept you were caught up in the moment and, lacking maturity, were unable to walk away.”

Robin Turton, defending, said: “He recognises what he did was mindless, stupid and wrong. He presented well to the probation officer, as polite and thoughtful.” Mr Turton said Henson had been out with friends and got “wrapped up in the adrenaline of the incident” and “herd mentality”. He added that Henson was concerned for the impact on his mother of the situation he had placed himself in.

The Chronicle

Shane Amer, of Sunderland, has become the latest yob to be locked up for rioting in Sunderland

A rioter threw missiles including a beer keg at police during scenes which brought shame on Sunderland. Shane Amer has become the latest mindless yob to be locked up for turning the city centre into a no-go zone for members of the public on August 2 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Amer was not driven by any ideology but joined in when the mass disorder broke out while he was out drinking. Prosecutor Neil Pallister said he was seen with others participating in a series of acts amounting to riot.

Mr Pallister told the court: “The video compilation shows the defendant, who was wearing a blue jacket and grey trousers, throwing missiles at the police line outside The Yard building. He then goes on to commit further acts of violence, throwing missiles at the police during an interaction outside Aldi and he threw numerous missiles at the police outside The Yard building.

“He and others were throwing items including rocks, traffic cones and a heavy floor support stand, towards the police line. He and others threw metal beer kegs towards the police. He threw one at head height towards an officer, who had to duck out of the way.

“He was seen with others kicking at windows at The Yard building and they kicked and pushed a bin towards the same building.

“He took a leading role. He came across a parked police vehicle and used a metal beer keg to try to smash the unoccupied police vehicle. He then rolled the keg along the ground, having covered his hands with clothing he was wearing, presumably to try to remove fingerprints and DNA evidence.

“He was part of a large group advancing towards the police line, pushing a picnic table towards the police out of the front of the Empire theatre.”

Amer, 29, of Shrewsbury Crescent, Sunderland, who has ten previous convictions, including six for theft and four for burglary, pleaded guilty to riot. He was jailed for three years and two months.

Judge Gavin Doig said Amer and others had “brought shame on the city of Sunderland” and he said each individual act “inflames and encourages others to behave in a similar fashion”, meaning the overall picture has to be considered when passing sentence.

Cole Cockburn, defending, said: “He did not plan to be there. His involvement was not ideological. He went out with friends and found himself in scenes of escalating disorder.

“His actions were not the worst witnessed that night. At the time he was abusing cocaine and alcohol but he is now sober of those although he has substituted this was occasional cannabis use.

“He acknowledges the terror those officers must have felt and is very ashamed to have played a part. He feels he has embarrassed himself and his family and his one-year-old son. He is ashamed because his son would one day know his dad went to prison.

“He has mental health problems. He thinks that stemmed from a previous addiction to crack cocaine.

The Chronicle

A man has been jailed for three years and four months for taking part in a violent protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Jamie Lee Turvey was in a crowd that shouted abuse and hurled objects at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire, in July 2024.

The 35-year-old, of Montgomery Road, Farnborough, was previously found guilty of violent disorder following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The incident was part of the rioting that swept across England in the days after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport.

More than 200 people gathered at the hotel on 31 July, the court previously heard.

A small group entered the car park, kicked footballs against windows, damaged blinds and a perimeter wall, set off flares and threw bicycles into a skip.

Turvey forcefully opened a hotel gate, removed bricks from a wall and approached windows to swear at the hotel residents, police said.

He is the last of eight people – including a 13-year-old girl – to be sentenced over the violence, and has received the longest jail term as the only defendant to plead not guilty.

Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: “We know that the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful, however Turvey was part of a smaller group that chose to act in an aggressive and intimidating manner.

“This should serve as a warning to anyone else considering trying to bring mindless violence to our streets and that the minority who seek to cause disorder will face the full force of the law.”
BBC News

Jack Fowler, of Elswick, jailed for violent disorder during the Sunderland riot last year, was behind the wheel of a stolen Land Rover when police tried to pull him over

A road menace who reached 90mph in a 30 zone before writing off two cars has been jailed.

Jack Fowler, jailed last year for his part in a riot in Sunderland, led police on a pursuit which was so dangerous officers repeatedly had to pull out of it for the safety of other road users.

On May 30 last year, he was spotted at the A189 at Moor Farm Roundabout in a Land Rover Discovery which had been stolen from outside a house in Newcastle three days earlier. When police tried to pull it over, its speed increased to more than 100mph.

Fowler refused to pull over and made several dangerous manoeuvres, going through red lights and on the wrong side of the road as he headed towards Gosforth. His driving was so dangerous, officers aborted the pursuit at that stage. A short time later, he was spotted in a bus lane on the Great North Road, doing 90mph in a 30mph zone.

He then crossed onto the opposite carriageway and started driving into oncoming traffic. Such was the danger, police again pulled out of the pursuit.

Another officer then took over and observed Fowler continuing along the Great North Road at twice the speed limit. A pedestrian stepped out to cross the road at one stage and had to quickly step back when they saw the speeding Land Rover approaching.

At Regent Centre, another pedestrian with their back to the car and about the cross the road, fortunately, saw it coming in time.

Then near the Redheugh Bridge, in Newcastle city centre, Fowler forced his way between two cars, pushing them out of the way and causing significant damage to all three vehicles.

Police again ended the pursuit due to the danger it posed to other road users. The Land Rover was later spotted by another officer and was then found abandoned.

Fowler and a passenger had fled on foot with the police helicopter closing in. They were found hiding on a flat roof and were coaxed down. Inside the car, police found a machete and a knife.

The Land Rover, worth £13,670, was written off, as was one of the cars he rammed – a Jaguar worth £2,664, with the owner having to pay out £3,000 for a replacement car. The other car he hit, a Nissan Qashqai sustained £14,768 of damage.

In a victim impact statement, the owner of the Land Rover said they were without a car for four months, which caused particular difficulties as they have four children. The children were also left scared to go to bed in case they were burgled again.

Fowler, 25, formerly of Northbourne Street, Elswick, who has 35 previous convictions, including for violent disorder in Sunderland on August 2 last year, and who is currently serving a four year sentence for drugs offences, admitted dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and possessing a machete and a knife. He was jailed for 22 months but to run alongside the four-year sentence not consecutively to it. He was also banned from driving.

Recorder Andrew Latimer told him: “When you drive this way you are putting yourself at risk and also ordinary members of the public who are never expecting speeding motorists.”

Kate Barnes, defending, said Fowler had a daughter in 2023 and was struggling to adapt to parenthood at the time of the offending. She added: “He has grown up significantly since.

“He is now drug free and has held down important jobs in the prison. This was a period of time when he was not making good decisions.

The Chronical

Nathan Poole was getting his hair cut when he found out about the protest

Dad Nathan Poole has been jailed for his ‘active role’ in the Hanley riots.

The 32-year-old recorded the events on his phone, joined in chants including, ‘You are all f****** nonces’ and, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’, and argued with police

In his police interview the defendant accepted attending the protest, saying it was ‘against the government for f****** them over’.

Now Poole has been jailed for 30 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court following the unrest on August 3, 2024.

Prosecutor Clare Harris said: “Three hundred people took part in the disorder. The Crown’s case is this defendant played an active role, sometimes at the forefront. He showed up at four separate locations, Cannon Place, Lichfield Street, Potteries Way and Town Road.

“In Cannon Place a police cordon was in place to prevent the protesters from entering Shelton. He was recording events on his phone and chanted with the crowd, ‘You are all f****** nonces’. He was outside the town hall where police were present to keep the opposing protesters apart. He was arguing with officers. He was chanting, ‘Scum’, and, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’, towards the counter-protesters. Later in Town Road, the defendant was at the front of the crowd shouting abuse towards police while others were throwing missiles towards the police and counter-protesters.”

In his police interview Poole claimed to have acted lawfully.

Poole, of St Bernard’s Road, Knutton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He works for a tarmac company and leads junior staff.

Martin Bloor, mitigating, said: “He deeply regrets his decision to become involved in this incident. He heard about the protest in a barber’s. He believed it was going to be a peaceful protest. He attended out of curiosity to see what was happening.

“He had no intent to get involved in violence or cause any violence. Unfortunately the incident got out of hand very quickly. A large number of people were involved on both sides. He is a mature man. He should have removed himself from that situation.

“There was no clear evidence that he was physically involved. He did not attack the police. He could not be seen to throw any missiles. He did not damage any property. He knows that by shouting the comments that he made that he was part of that incident and played an active part in that incident.

“He is extremely ashamed at his behaviour. He knows his foolish actions on that day are not only going to impact him, but his family.”

Judge Richard McConaghy found Poole had displayed ‘hostility towards Islam’.

He told the defendant: “The protest took place in and around Town Road and it descended into violence. Police in riot gear attempted to try to keep the peace. But the violence continued. Threats were made with weapons. Some had been brought to the scene, others were picked up there. Missiles such as bricks were thrown. Pieces of wood were picked up and brandished.

“Members of the public and police were injured. Public safety and public order were put under severe threat. You were an active participant. You now accept your presence worsened the situation.

“You were encouraging others. You found your way to the front of the police line. You were abusive and argumentative with police officers while others were throwing missiles over their heads. It is right to say there is no evidence that you threw a missile or that you were an architect of any of the pushing. But you were seen in different locations. You were being bullish and shouted, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’ at the other group.

“The main location was the mosque and your specific chants in relation to Allah made it quite clear your involvement was hostility towards Islam.”

The Sentinel

A man who threw a pole during a city centre riot has kept his freedom.

Cameron Foale hurled the makeshift missile in Sunderland on August 2 last year, where violence mirroring scenes across the UK that summer broke out.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Foale, who was drunk, threw the pole “in the general direction” of a police officer but it did not make contact.

Foale, 21, of Fairgreen Close, Sunderland, admitted violent disorder.

Mr Recorder Brian Whitehead told him: “This was committed in the context of the disorder that spread across the country last year.

“On August 2 last year you, perhaps out of curiosity I don’t know, went along and watched the growing disorder in your area and, being intoxicated, you joined in to the extent you were filmed throwing a pole in the direction of a police officer.

“Thankfully it didn’t make contact.”

Recorder Whitehead said he accepted Foale “probably wouldn’t have done it” were it not for his intoxication, is of previous positive character, young, remorseful and capable of rehabilitation.

Foale was sentenced to eight months, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements.

Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, handed in references, including one from an employer, which spoke of Foale in “glowing terms”.

Miss Allinson-Howells said Foale has caring responsibilities and the impact on others if he were locked up would be “enormous”.

During the widespread trouble that day, that involved hundreds of people, police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as areas became unsafe for ordinary members of the public.

Police were met with serious levels of violence which left some needing hospital treatment and patrol vehicles needing repair.

The city’s police hub was set on fire and business premises were smashed.

Sunderland Echo