The 21-year-old has now been sent to prison

A young man who picked up a piece of wood as a riot gripped Hanley has been jailed. Kenneth Fern, aged 21, held the wood as he walked towards counter-protesters near a mosque in Town Road on August 3 last year.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he did not throw anything towards the rival group or the police and there was no evidence of him making any racial comments. But the judge said there was religious hostility during the disturbance which was an aggravating feature.

Now Fern has been jailed for 27 months. Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said Fern was captured on CCTV getting close to the police line. Miss Cortese said: “He took issue with not being able to go on his way and argued with the police officer.

“He is seen rummaging around in a derelict garden and he picked up a large piece of wood. He held it as he walked towards counter-protesters. Anything he said cannot be heard. As he moved around the area he was seen to pick up something on the ground.”

Fern, of Meadow Road, Chell Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Anis Ali, mitigating, said Fern’s involvement was relatively minor. He said: “He was not involved for the full duration of the incident. He was not involved in conveying racist comments. He was not involved in the throwing of projectiles or missiles.

“There is some concern that he came into possession of a piece of wood. That piece of wood was not used as a weapon. He should not have been there. He realises that this was something he should not have got involved in.

“He was of hitherto good character. The indications are that he has matured since. He is in settled accommodation and in a supportive relationship with his partner. He is in full-time employment. The prospects of rehabilitation are good and there is a low risk of further offending.”

Judge Richard McConaghy said Fern’s offending was so serious only immediate prison was appropriate. Judge McConaghy said: “On August 3 last year the main protest took place in and around Town Road and the area of the mosque and that protest descended into violence.

“Police in riot gear attended to try to keep the peace. 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. Police were abused and argued with by people intent on not protesting but threatening and using unlawful violence.

“This all took place on a Saturday afternoon when the town centre was busy. Public safety and public order were put under severe threat.

“You were present. You armed yourself with a piece of wood at the scene. You delved into a disused and overgrown garden to find it. You were seen to pick up a stone at one stage. You tried to get towards police and the counter-protesters by using false excuses that you were just walking down the road.

“There is no evidence that you threw any item. You did not use the weapon, you picked it up. I do find that the protest that descended into violence did have a degree of religious hostility to it. I find the religious hostility was an aggravating feature.

“You had been a cocaine and alcohol user in the run up to the summer of last year. But that use has been significantly curtailed.”

Stoke Sentinel

He’s the latest defendant to be dealt with following the Hanley riot

A man who threw missiles towards counter-protesters and police during a violent disorder in Hanley has been jailed. Colin Miller, aged 35, picked up rocks and hurled them towards the rival group and police officers who were trying to maintain order.

He admitted to a probation officer that he used racist language during the disturbance. Now Miller has been jailed for 27 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said the defendant’s involvement in the violence in Hanley on August 3 last year was captured on CCTV. Miss Cortese said: “He was in and around Hanley town centre. He was seen walking down towards the counter-protesters. He was stopped by police who told him to go or pushed him back on two occasions.

“No comments could be heard due to the noise from other protesters. He was caught several times picking up an item from the ground and throwing it in the direction of counter-protesters.

“He picked up a third item and threw it towards counter-protesters and bent down to pick up a fourth. He walked down Town Road with a rock in his hand. He was seen to throw the rock towards counter-protesters and the police.

“He picked up rocks and threw them to the ground causing them to break into small pieces. Someone else picked them up and made off with them.”

The defendant was arrested on October 31 when he attended the police station. Miller, of Cemetery Road, Knutton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Hamish Noble, mitigating, said Miller had no previous convictions. He has issues with his mental health and has not worked for some time. Mr Noble said: “He was in town and saw a drone. He followed it and became involved. He was disinhibited by alcohol.

“His actions that day are very much regretted. He apologises through me. He is aware of the impact there has been on the city and on Hanley that day. He should not have acted in the way he did.

“He was not a leader in this. Others were more aggressive than he was. There is a feeling of him going along with the crowd, rather than leading it.

“There is no evidence of racist comments on the footage. He has been frank with the pre-sentence report writer and accepts this.

“He became aware of (his picture) being circulated on social media and handed himself in. He does not have any entrenched or pro-criminal attitudes. He allowed himself to take part in the racist comments.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “You were initially seen on one side of Hanley. You were shouting, waving your arms and moving towards the counter-protester group. It is not known exactly what you were saying.

“The protest moved to the other side of Hanley to Town Road and was heading towards a mosque or Islamic centre. That particular area is in the centre of Hanley, very close to the Potteries Shopping Centre, cinema, restaurant and a park. It was a Saturday. Members of the public would have been out shopping and enjoying their leisure time.

“The disorder lasted for several hours. There was a substantial police presence. Many of those who attended the protest conducted themselves peacefully but many did not. Weapons were brandished. Missiles were thrown, including by you. A number of people, protesters and police, were injured. Verbal abuse was exchanged.

“The protest was moving towards an Islamic building with the intent of trying to get to that building. There was a period of about half an hour when you were caught either throwing missiles towards the mosque or directly towards the police line, on one occasion. You were also caught on video holding rocks and breaking up rocks, which one other person I have already sentenced picked up and threw towards counter-protesters and the police.”

Stoke Sentinel

A man has been jailed for his involvement in the violent riots that erupted at a hotel in Rotherham last summer.

Dion Wragg, aged 26, of Highstone Avenue in Barnsley, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, June 2.

He had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham.

CCTV footage captured Wragg hurling debris at police officers who were stationed to protect the hotel and its occupants during what authorities described as ‘disgraceful scenes of deplorable violence.’

Following a public appeal, Wragg was identified from a released image and arrested in November 2024.

In addition to his prison term, he was issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting nine years and six months.

The case is part of a wider investigation into the large-scale unrest, which has so far resulted in 110 individuals being charged.

Of those, 91 have already been sentenced, receiving a combined total of 223 years in prison.

The Star

Police said he is not due to be released until 2028 after breaching his licence conditions

A rioter who was released early from prison following the Blackpool disorder last summer has already been sent back to custody.

Josh Tickner was jailed for his role in the violent protests in the days after three young girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport. Axel Rudakubana murdered the victims at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in a “meticulously planned rampage” and was jailed for 52 years.

Tickner was among seven people stopped by neighbourhood police officers during patrols around Bonny Street, Blackpool, on May 21. It followed concerns raised by the community of ‘suspicious activity’ in the area.

The 21-year-old was found in possession of a locking knife and a quantity of drugs. He was arrested and remanded to custody where he has now received a 10-month prison sentence.

Officers said Tickner had been released early following his involvement in the disorder in Blackpool last year. He has been recalled for breaching his licence conditions and is not due to be released until 2028.

Another male was interviewed for drug offences and has been dealt with by the youth offending team.

In a statement issued this morning (May 29), Blackpool Police said: “On the 21st of May 2025, Blackpool Task force officers, alongside PCSO’s from Blackpool town centre neighbourhood team, have been conducting patrols around Bonny Street, Blackpool, when they have stopped searched 7 people in relation to suspicious activity, following concerns from the community.

“One male, Josh Tickner 21, was found in possession of a locking knife and a quantity of drugs. He was arrested and remanded to custody where he received a 10 month prison sentence.

“He had been released early following his involvement in the disorder in Blackpool last year. He has been recalled for his licence conditions and is not due to be released until 2028.

“Another male, was interviewed for drug offences, he has been dealt with via the youth offending team.”

Lancs Live

A young father was one of the troublemakers who joined in scenes of rioting in Hull city centre on a day that had cost the police at least £270,000 so far.

Steven Drinkall was seen outside a hotel where asylum seekers were being housed at the time as well as when fighting later broke out in the Jameson Street area, Hull Crown Court heard.

Drinkall, 23, of St John’s Grove, off Preston Road, east Hull, admitted an offence of violent disorder on August 3.

Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, prosecuting, said that a planned protest was organised in Hull city centre on the day of a “countrywide violent disorder” and it started between 1 and 1.30pm in the area of Queen Victoria Square and the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were living at the time.

Drinkall was seen in that area looking towards the hotel and advancing towards police. He was apparently throwing an object and talking to others. He was in Jameson Street at 3.30pm when fights broke out and he threw punches, although it was not known whether any of them landed.

Drinkall was, even though it was August, wearing a coat, with his hood up and a baseball cap underneath, in a “clear attempt” to hide his face, the court heard.

The current figure for the cost to the police of the trouble that day was £270,000 and 28 police officers had been affected and injured from assaults during the whole incident.

Drinkall had a conviction for possessing an offensive weapon, involving a road rage incident 16 days after the violent disorder. He confronted somebody who had been driving closely behind him. That person got out of his vehicle and had a baseball bat, which Drinkall matched. Drinkall had been given 80 hours’ unpaid work and 30 days’ rehabilitation by Hull magistrates in February. He had not, at the time, been charged with the city centre violent disorder.

Benjamin Donnell, mitigating, said that Drinkall seemed to have been a spectator at first in the violent disorder but he became more involved. “It was more of a reaction to what was happening with the police line,” said Mr Donnell. “He did not actually throw anything. He pretended to throw a missile. The officer would have felt threatened but nothing was actually thrown.” During the second incident in Jameson Street, Drinkall was in the second row helping to provide “strength in numbers” there.

“A fight broke out but this defendant didn’t throw the first punch,” said Mr Donnell. “He didn’t play a leading role. He later tried to break it up. He was clearly part of a much larger disorder. This was widespread at the time.

“He is remorseful for the part that he played in this violent disorder.” Unemployed Drinkall had a one-year-old son. There was a reference from his mother.

Drinkall, who was on bail, was jailed for 20 months

MSN

David France attempted to disguise himself, but was traced and arrested

A man who hurled two bricks at police officers during the rioting in Southport after the murders of three girls has been jailed.

A court heard David France put on a white face mask to disguise his appearance and also wore gloves in a bid to thwart fingerprint evidence while on St Lukes Road in the town on July 30 last year.

Jailing him for two years, Judge Simon Medland KC said he ‘lobbed two bricks at the police, who were faced by a crowd of milling thousands while doing no more than their job’. He told France, of Lever Street in Radcliffe, near Bury, he had deliberately involved himself and people were ‘utterly outraged that people behaved like that at a time like that’.

The 52 year-old, who has 43 convictions for 135 offences including affray, possessing a bladed article, theft and threatening behaviour, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that the day after the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, the community came together for a vigil.

She said: “At the same time this defendant and others were engaging in behaviour at total odds to that vigil. The focus of the violence and disorder was the town’s mosque. A crowd started to gather outside the mosque from just after 7pm. Officers responded and formed a protective cordon. That cordon was subjected to significant violence as the mood changed. Some 50 officers were injured with police vehicles damaged.”

Ms Smith said video footage showed a police vehicle set alight. The cost to replace it was estimated at £100,000.

The prosecutor said the vehicle was looted and a riot shield and other protective equipment stolen. She added: “There was looting and considerable damage to property and the mosque. The disorder was so violent that residents were told to stay indoors and away from windows. Officers estimated that a group of about 1,000 people were involved.”

She also detailed racist chants.

The court was shown footage which captured France’s behaviour. While initially at the back of a large group surging towards the police, he later began to move forward to the frontline, facing the officers. He was seen putting on the face mask and gloves, and telling another man to follow him. He then threw a brick towards the police lines, followed by a second brick or piece of concrete, the court heard.

He was arrested at his home in March this year and answered ‘no comment’ when interviewed.

Selda Krasniqi, defending, said France had mental health problems and was being treated for ‘mixed anxiety and depressive disorder’.

“He regrets what he did and knows he should not have done it,” said the barrister. “He pleaded guilty at his first appearance.”

Manchester Evening News

Drug dealers Jack Fowler, 24, and Rhys Bell, 23, were both jailed

Two Newcastle drug dealers were found with 10 wraps of cocaine stashed inside an Easter egg.

Jack Fowler, 24, was behind the wheel of a Hyundai in Byker when police saw a “drugs transaction” take place. Soon after, his pal Rhys Bell, 23, got in his car and police swooped in. But when the officers tried to speak to Fowler, he attempted to reverse away, smashing into a taxi and another parked car in the process.

Both Bell and Fowler were eventually arrested and hundreds of pounds worth of crack-cocaine was found stashed inside an Easter egg. A hatchet and a machete were also in the car, along with mobile phones which included text messages relating to drug-dealing.

On Tuesday, Fowler, of Northbourne Street, Elswick, and Bell, of Avison Court, Avison Street, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article. Fowler was also sentenced for dangerous driving, with Bell being sentenced for a charge of assaulting a police officer. They had both pleaded guilty.

The court heard that police were on patrol in the early hours of June 25, 2023, when they spotted Fowler in a Hyundai parked at the BP petrol garage on Shields Road in Byker. Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said: “A male on a bicycle was leaning into the vehicle and a transaction took place.

“The cyclist rode away and Bell entered the passenger side. Police then blocked their exit and officers spoke to Fowler – he attempted to reverse. [The officer] stood in front of the car and told him to stop.

“He reversed at speed, crashing into two stationary vehicles at the pumps. The officer was concerned about damage to the pumps and risk of a fire.”

Fowler then reversed once again, resulting in his Hyundai becoming “embedded” in one of the parked cars. The officers then began to smash the rear windows of Fowler’s car as he tried to drive away. When one of the officers “thrust” their baton at him, he eventually told them: ‘I give up’.

Fowler was then arrested as Bell attempted to get out of the car and flee. There was then a struggle with the officers and Bell hit out at one before he was eventually arrested. The court heard that one of the cars Fowler damaged was a Blueline taxi, with £1,000 damage being caused.

When Fowler’s car was searched, a machete and a hatchet were found, along with over £160 cash and 10 small bags of white powder inside an Easter egg. Tests later revealed the white powder was in fact crack-cocaine. When Fowler was searched, five more wraps of cocaine were found stashed inside a Kinder egg.

The court heard that Fowler had 14 previous convictions for 31 offences, and went on to be jailed for two years for violent disorder after being involved in the far-right Sunderland riots. Bell had 18 previous convictions for 47 offences.

Penny Hall, defending Fowler, said he had been a victim of an arson attack. She said: “His house had been the subject of arson and he became involved in supplying drugs while in debt.”

Ms Hall added that Fowler had completed a catering course in prison and was an “enhanced prisoner”. She said he hopes to open his own business after prison or work on an oil rig.

Judge Robert Spragg jailed Fowler for four years and banned him from driving for four years and three months. He must sit an extended re-test if he wants his licence back.

Bell, who had also breached a suspended sentence, was jailed for four years and 10 months. A total of 14 months of his suspended sentence was re-activated.

Chronicle Live

Fowler was also jailed for his involvement with the UK Riots

Michael Parker, 54, was captured on CCTV making gestures and approaching the police line

A rioter has been jailed after kicking out at police during the violent disorder in Sunderland last summer

Michael Parker, 54, was caught on CCTV during the riot on August 2 last year approaching the police line and kicking out at officers. Newcastle Crown Court heard Parker had also been spotted gesturing towards officers and “goading” bystanders to join in.

In mitigation, the court was told Parker was “deeply appalled and ashamed” at his involvement in the offence. The court was told he “struggled to comprehend” why he became involved and “highly respects” the work police officers do.

The court was told Parker, of Norfolk Street, Sunderland, was dealing with family issues at the time. On sentencing Recorder Toby Hedworth said the defendant was “a man of essentially good character”.

He added: “Unfortunately for someone who highly respects the police or the work they do, your behaviour on August 2 in Sunderland City Centre suggests something different. Unfortunately what was initially a planned protest turned into widespread civil disorder.

“The police were repeatedly attacked, often with missiles, your particular role in that having been one of those standing looking on, drinking, encouraging with gestures, encouraging, shouting. You then at one stage went to the front of those confronting the police line and kicked out at a police officer who was able to block your kick with the shield.”

Record Hedworth said officers were not there to be subjected to attacks by people such as Parker and those who approach and challenge police lines emboldens others to carry out violent and antisocial behaviour.

He added: “I have carefully considered the role you have played in the violence. You did not throw a missile at police but by going to the front of those who were challenging the police line, kicking out at officers and gesticulating at them and goading them to involve themselves with you were one of those who effectively on the ground were a ringleader.”

Parker, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was jailed for 22 months.

Chronicle Live

Two 16-year-old boys have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in connection with major unrest outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.

Sheffield Youth Court heard one of the boys was filmed helping other rioters place a bin on a fire outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August, while the other added wood to an existing flame.

The latter also admitted arson with intent to endanger life but said he only added the wood because he was “told to do so” by adults present.

The teenagers, who cannot be named due to their ages, had no previous convictions and will be sentenced at the same court on 25 June.

Both youths, who were aged 15 at the time of the offending, were granted unconditional bail ahead of their next hearing.

Magistrates warned the boy, who is facing two charges, that the arson offence was “particularly serious” and could be sent to the crown court.

In his basis of plea, the boy said he was “actively encouraged” by adults to engage in the riot and that he was “deeply sorry” for his actions.

The teen accepted putting wood onto an existing flame but said: “I was not thinking about the consequences and had no intent to endanger life.”

BBC News

Supporters of both Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers have been jailed, received extended banning orders and large fines after a fight broke out following a game.

Violence erupted in Westhoughton after the two sides faced each other in August 2023.

Following an investigation and media appeals, officers from Greater Manchester Police executed several early-morning warrants in November the same year.

Bradley Jones, 33 of Rose Avenue, Beech Hill, was jailed for three years and four months for violent disorder, which included being on bail for similar offences from the violent disorder in Southport alongside a five year football banning order (FBO).

Wigan News