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UK riots latest: Boy, 15, first to be charged with more serious riot offence that has up to 10-year jail term

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August 15, 2024
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More than 1,100 people now arrested over far-right violence, with almost 650 charged, say police chiefs

A 15-year-old boy has become the first person to be charged with riot following recent disorder in several cities.

Prosecutors said the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, would appear at South Tyneside Youth Court.

Rioting carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – double that of violent disorder.

He joins a 20-year-old involved in the Southport riot, as well as one of the thugs who attacked a Black man in Manchester, who are also facing jail.

Tom Neblett, 20, from Southport, was jailed for 30 months on Thursday after scaling a van and throwing bricks and other projectiles at police.

Meanwhile, Joseph Ley from Stockport, was among a large group of white males who attacked a Black man in Manchester city centre on 3 August.

The 30-year-old is being sentenced for violent disorder at Manchester Crown Court, along with two other rioters.

On Thursday, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 1,127 people had been arrested so far, with 648 charged, following the days of violence across England and Northern Ireland.

20-year-old who climbed onto van and threw brick at police jailed for 30 months

A 20-year-old who climbed on to a van and repeatedly launched projectiles at police officers in Southport has been locked up for 30 months.

Tom Neblett, aged 20, attended a vigil for the previous day’s stabbing at a dance class in which three girls were killed, but he later joined a 1,000-strong group who “without any evidence or justification” attacked a nearby mosque and then police officers who gathered in response, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Neblett threw a brick at the passenger side window of a police carrier while the driver was still inside before colleagues in riot gear removed him as he shielded his head with his hands.

He was also seen on CCTV footage at the “very forefront” of the missile throwing as he picked up a smoke flare and hurled it towards the line of officers. He later scaled a white van and repeatedly threw more bricks and pieces of paving slabs at the police carrier and officers, the court heard.

Judge Dennis Watson KC told Neblett that a pre-sentence report had shown “a different side to you, the yob who was throwing missiles repeatedly” but he added: “The effect of your actions will have been to encourage others to have been involved and do likewise. Those actions cannot be viewed in isolation and should not be underestimated.”

The Independent

Man asks judge ‘how long did I get?’ after being jailed

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August 13, 2024
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Philip Prescott, Gareth Metcalfe and David Hill have been locked up over scenes of violence in Southport and Liverpool city centre

Thugs who kicked down the wall of a house, threw bricks at police officers and kicked the windscreen of a van while being livestreamed on TikTok have been jailed. Violent scenes flared up in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked during protesting on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on the evening of July 30. A planned protest at the Pier Head the following weekend then descended into violence, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that both Philip Prescott and Gareth Metcalfe were involved in the disturbance in Southport on the evening of July 30. Nardeen Nemat, appearing for the prosecution in relation to the former, told the court: “Following the killing of three young girls in Southport on the 29th of July, there was widespread disorder across the country. The first incident was on the 30th of July on St Luke’s Road in Southport.

“The focus of the violence was aimed at a mosque. There were chants including ‘who the f*** is Allah’. Items were thrown towards the mosque. Items were thrown at police officers including house bricks, wheelie bins and slabs of concrete. The incident lasted several hours. More than 60 police officers were injured. The mosque was damaged and a police vehicle was set alight.”

Prescott, of Sefton Street in Southport, was seen on CCTV and video footage captured by a police helicopter taking items out of a bin and hurling them towards police officers before “others followed suit”. The 38-year-old then “dragged another wheelie bin” towards a cordon formed by PCs before removing further objects and throwing them.

He subsequently kicked the wall of a residential property and climbed into the garden before running towards officers in possession of a brick, which he “launched towards” them. Prescott thereafter returned to the damaged wall once more and threw further bricks, including at the window of a police van.

Following his arrest on Lord Street in the town on August 5, he gave a prepared statement under interview in which he “said he had been drinking and was very upset by the death of the three children”. He then “heard there was something happening near to St Luke’s and went to see what was happening” and, although he could not recall his actions due to being under the influence of alcohol, stated that he was “ashamed by what he did and was sorry”.

Metcalfe, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, was meanwhile said to have “remonstrated” and “pointed and shouted at officers”, being described as being “at the front of the action”. Christopher Taylor, prosecuting the 44-year-old, detailed how he was arrested at his home address later the same evening and gave a no comment interview.

David Hill meanwhile appeared before the court in relation to disorder in Liverpool city centre the following Saturday. The 38-year-old, of Bianca Street in Bootle, was caught on a livestreamed TikTok video kicking the windscreen of a police van near to St George’s Hall before another thug attempted to set the vehicle on fire.

Prescott has no previous convictions, His counsel Sinead Fearon said: “The defendant appears to be acting by himself. He does not appear to be with any particular group or pushing any cause.

“Whilst he did not necessarily instruct others to follow in his footsteps and he was not the first to throw a missile, it is very difficult to step away from the fact that his actions caused a very real ripple effect on others who were present. Once he begins throwing the first missile, it appears others view what he has done and follow without instruction.

“He has worked on and off for the last 12 years as a painter. He has managed to live up until this point without troubling the court system. He appears to come from a close family. They are appalled by his behaviour, but support him nonetheless.

“His dad is terminally ill. His very real fear is that he will not be there to look after his dad, which is what he should have been doing rather than behaving in the way he did on the 30th of July. It is his intention to learn from his folly.”

Metcalfe’s criminal record shows 21 previous convictions for 31 offences between 1995 and 2021 – including for “religiously aggravated assault”, sexual assault in 2016, a racially-aggravated public order offence in 2019 and harassment and breach of a non-molestation order during 2019 and 2020. The court heard of one arrest in January 2019 “against a background of domestic abuse” which saw him “start to struggle” when officers attempted to detain him before calling them “Muslim protectors and Muslim sh**gers”.

When a Probation Service worker subsequently attempted to call him in order to prepare a pre-sentence report in relation to his subsequent conviction, they received a voicemail recording of Metcalfe saying: “F*** Islam. Leave a message.”

Simran Garcha said on his behalf: “Those entrenched views which Mr Metcalfe made known were back in 2019, and some time has passed since then. Mr Metcalfe’s involvement is markedly different to those who threw missiles towards officers and those who caused damage to property.

“He accepts that, at some stages, he was at the front of a large crowd and was very much involved in the unrest that followed. He is extremely embarrassed by his behaviour and wishes to apologise to the court and the police.

“He concedes that his anger and frustration consumed him. He was swept up in the brutal murder that occurred close to home. He accepts that his behaviour was a shameful and disrespectful response, and accepts that his behaviour was deplorable.

“It is noteworthy that there was a large gap of offending between 2005 and 2015, demonstrating that Mr Metcalfe is capable of being a productive member of society. There is clearly another side to this man. His last conviction dates back to 2021, demonstrating a lengthy period of stability in his life.

“He has three children and a step son. He is mortified that his children may learn about his involvement and is heartbroken over any impact that will have on them.

“Mr Metcalfe is in poor physical health. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer six years ago, which impacted on his ability to work. He is in remission but still attends regular hospital appointments to keep that matter under review. Mr Metcalfe has previous battled depression and suicidal ideation.

“He had a business in the window cleaning industry, however, when diagnosed with bowel cancer, was unable to work for a number of years. However, prior to his arrest, he had been working again.

“His family know there is another side to the defendant who is kind, caring and compassionate when free from alcohol use and who needs help. He is ashamed that he has let his parents down.”

Hill has a total of 71 previous convictions for 120 offences including affray, actual bodily harm, burglary and escaping from lawful custody. He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge for theft on July 18 this year after entering a Shell garage on Longmoor Lane in Fazakerley and placing £83.10 of food items into his jacket before leaving without paying.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “From a young age, this is a defendant who has been ravaged by the misuse of class A substances. That is obvious when one looks at his previous convictions.

“He is the father of two young children. He is a defendant who, prior to his arrest, was homeless. He has been homeless for a period in excess of 12 months, since he was released from his last custodial sentence.

“He does have some good qualities. He has a sister who worked for the National Deaf Children’s Society. The defendant taught himself sign language. He assisted young children with learning sign language. That is something he hopes to continue with, as far as the future is concerned.

“Staff at the prison know him well. He has been trusted in the past to hold down jobs within the prison. He has already secured a job as a cleaner and has been put in touch with a drug related agency. Whatever the sentence is today, he is hoping to use this period of time constructively with the hope that, when he is released on licence, assistance can be given for him to get secure accommodation, remain drug free and build up something that will provide for himself and his children so far as his later life is concerned.

“The fact that he was homeless has some bearing. He did not have a full knowledge of everything that was going on at the time. When these incidents did break out, his involvement was something which he effectively was swept along with. He has asked me to tell the court that he is appalled that he involved himself in this activity at a time when the people of Southport were mourning the loss of the three children.”

All three defendants admitted violent disorder. Prescott gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells after receiving 28 months in prison.

Metcalfe nodded as he was handed 40 months, then muttered an inaudible comment to his co-defendant. His dad told him “see you Gareth, love you” as he was escorted out of the courtroom, while his mum added: “It’s over.”

Hill was locked up for two years. He then asked “how long did I get?” before adding “thank you” after being informed by a security guard.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “On Monday the 29th of July, the peace in Southport was shattered when three young girls were stabbed and killed at a dance class. In the same incident, several other children and adults were seriously injured.

“In the aftermath of those terrible events, the local community came together to grieve and show their support for all of those affected by that tragedy. The respectful vigil that took place the following evening demonstrated all that is good about the vast majority of the inhabitants of Merseyside.

“At the same time, a small minority from Merseyside and beyond – fuelled by misinformation and racial or religious hatred – were intent on causing mayhem. In participating in the events that followed, they were not exercising their right to freedom of speech or to lawful non-violent protest.

“Rather, they were exploiting the anguish of others either to further their own warped ideology or simply as an excuse for vandalism, intimidation and violence. They are criminals, and they do not represent all the decent people who were appalled by their behaviour and left to clean up their mess.

“The disorder that began in Southport spread over the following days to other parts of Merseyside and to other cities in the UK. As a result, many communities throughout the country were forced to live in fear of further outbreaks of violent unrest.

“None of what has happened recently can properly be described as mindless behaviour. Everyone involved acted deliberately and knew exactly what they were doing, and so must accept responsibility for the impact of their conduct – not only on their own community, but also across the nation.”

The judge described Metcalfe as being “at the forefront of the disorder” in Southport, having “adopted a fighting stance”, adding: “This was clearly racially or religiously motivated disorder, targeting primarily the Muslim community but also the police officers. who were doing their best to protect them and their property This particular incident was made all the more serious because it took place soon after and in the same area as the tragic events of the previous day. I have no doubt that your actions added to the distress already felt by the local community.

“You have an appalling criminal record. You have demonstrated an established pattern of racially motivated behaviour and an entrenched racist attitude towards Muslims. Although you say you would never act on those views, that is exactly what you did.

“You have indicated that you are embarrassed by your conduct and apologise for it. Given your deeply held racist views, I approach that with some scepticism.”

Judge Flewitt told Prescott: “You claim to have become involved because you were drunk. That is no excuse and it is certainly no comfort to those who were affected by your actions. I take into account your previous good character and the other mitigation advanced, including your remorse and the ill health of your father.”

To Hill, the judge added: “I accept that your involvement was short lived and amounted to a single incident, after which you withdrew. You have an extensive criminal record. I recognise that you have a history of drug addiction and, more recently, homelessness and that you intend to make constructive use of your time in custody.”

Liverpool Echo

What happened in court today as eight more men appear in the dock following disorder

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August 9, 2024
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A teenager who threw a brick at police officers after trying to go to Gravity MAX and a masked man who brandished a knife near a vigil were among eight people to appear before the courts today. Seven of the eight men were charged with violent disorder in relation to various disturbances seen across Merseyside last week, while Jordan Davies admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Violent riots were held last week in Southport, Liverpool city centre and on County Road in Walton as well as across a number of towns and cities across the UK. The riots followed the deaths of three girls in a mass stabbing in Southport on July 29, when people spread false information about the alleged attacker’s supposed ethnicity, nationality and religion.

During a court sentencing yesterday morning, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC said the riots were “used as a pretext for widespread violence, intimidation and damage”. Four of the men appeared for their first appearances at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Following a delay caused by the defendants, who had been remanded after their arrests, not arriving to court on time, proceedings started with the case of Gerard Cooch. Wearing a grey t-shirt and sporting a shaved head, he pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder.

Sarah McInerney, who prosecuted all four of the cases heard in magistrates’ court, said the defendant “shouted abuse in a vulgar fashion and threw the contents of a pint glass towards police officers” during the riots in the city centre. The court heard he kicked the police’s riots shields and was PAVA sprayed.

His defence, Tony Murphy, said the 39-year-old defendant, of Merton Road in Bootle, had acted alone and was not part of a far-right group. Following him was 19-year-old Curtis Faure. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, the teenager also pleaded guilty to the charge put before him.

The court heard the teenager had gone into the city centre during the riots, with the intention of meeting a friend and going to Gravity MAX. However, his defence Gary Bryan said his client picked up a brick and threw it towards the police “in a moment of madness”. He added the young defendant, of Thomas Lane in Broadgreen, accepted he threw the brick and went and handed himself in after his picture was circulated in the media.

District Judge Paul Healey, who presided over all four of the hearings in magistrates’ court, said the teenager “made the conscious decision to engage in the most violent disorder this country has seen in recent years.” Swiftly after Faure left the dock, after he too was remanded, Tony Hazlett, 46 and of Bank Road in Bootle, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in relation to the riots in Southport.

The court heard that the defendant was witnessed throwing bricks towards police officers during the riots after being invited to the north Sefton town by friends. Paul Kilty, defending, said his client had consumed alcohol on the day in question and had planned to go to the peaceful vigil.

He added his client had been filmed throwing two items in the direction of the police cordon, before leaving and getting the train home alone. Hazlett, who has 15 previous convictions for dozens of offences, including for affray and possession of an offensive weapon, was arrested at his home. He was remanded in custody after bail was refused.

The last man to appear in magistrates’ court was Tom Neblett, 20 and of High Park Road in Southport. Ms McInerney told the court that the defendant played “a leading role” in the Southport disorder. He was seen climbing on top of a white van and throwing bricks at police officers and vehicles.

Heather Toohey, defending Neblett, who has previous convictions both as an adult and as a youth, said her client refuted that he played a leading role. Instead, she said, he got “caught up in something on the streets of Southport”. He also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and all four of the men will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on August 15.

While the four defendants appeared at magistrates’ court, three more men appeared at the higher court to enter pleas relating to the same charge. Lloyd Killner, 35 and of Burton Road in Lincoln, and Jimmy Bailey, 45 and of Station Road in Ellesmere Port, both entered not guilty pleas to the violent disorder charge after having denied their involvement at magistrates’ court earlier in the week.

Both men’s cases were adjourned to September 13. However, Gareth Metcalfe, 44 and of Cambridge Gardens, Southport, pleaded guilty after choosing to not indicate a plea at the lower court. Metcalfe is believed to have “used or threatened unlawful violence” on St Luke’s Road and Sussex Road on July 30.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC told Metcalfe he can expect an immediate sentence of imprisonment when he returns next week to learn his fate. As he was led back to the docks he made a love heart sign with his hands to a man and woman in the public gallery.

After a break for lunch, Jordan Davies appeared at crown court to be sentenced for possession of a knife. Davies was spotted carrying a flick knife just minutes away from a vigil for Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice DaSilva Aguiar, who had all died after the fatal stabbing the day before.

Davies tried to claim he had found the weapon after urinating near a Tesco Express store – and after he was arrested, said his daughter had been stabbed and he had been assaulted. However, when his case got to court he pleaded guilty to the offence. Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told the court members of the public “ran and screamed” after a woman was heard to shout “he’s got a knife”.

One witness, Michael Hayes, had been laying flowers at the scene with his partner, kids and friends and was forced to “push them into the nearby Baltic Supermarket for safety”. Davies, who has an extensive criminal record and was serving a suspended prison sentence at the time of the offence, was jailed for two years for the offence. His suspended sentence was also activated for a further 16 weeks.

Sentencing the mindless thug, Judge Denis Watson KC said Davies was on his way to join the mob who rioted close to a mosque on St Luke’s Road. The judge told him: “You claimed you had no knife, then that you had just found the knife and were going to hand it in.

“You claimed your daughter had just been stabbed. All of this was untrue. You were on your way to join the mob violence. Carrying knives at any time is a concern. Carrying a knife in this situation is particularly grave.”

The men who appeared in court today are the latest to appear in relation to the disorder. Seven men have already been convicted and handed immediate periods of imprisonment. Liam Riley, Declan Geiran and Derek Drummond were jailed on Wednesday. Adam and Ellis Wharton, William Nelson Morgan and John O’Malley followed them to prison the following day.

Twenty-two people have now been charged following 52 arrests. Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has vowed to anyone involved in rioting “we are identifying you and we are coming for you”.

Judge Menary, Liverpool’s most senior judge, told his court yesterday: “It has long been recognised that there is an obligation on sentencing courts to do what they can to ensure the protection of the public, whether in their homes or in their businesses or in the streets, and to protect the places where they live and work.

“In seeking to achieve this aim, the courts will typically impose severe sentences for offences involving or connected to large scale and violent public disorder, intended to provide both punishment and deterrence. Quite simply, those who deliberately participate in such disorder, causing injury, damage and fear to communities will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Tom Neblett pleads guilty

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August 9, 2024
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Tom Neblett, wearing a fleece and sporting black hair, is brought into the dock. He is represented by Heather Toohey. Neblett, supported by three members of his family, speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The charge of violent disorder is put to him. Neblett, 20 and of High Park Road in Southport, enters a plea of guilty.

Defendant seen ‘climbing on top of a white van and throwing bricks at police officers and vehicles’

Ms McInerney, prosecuting, tells the court: “The crown says the defendant played a leading role in the violence in Southport. The Southport community now fears violence. He is seen to be climbing on top of a white van and throwing bricks at police officers and vehicles. He is also seen throwing objects towards a police carrier and behaving in a violent manner while standing in a large group.”

The defendant has a previous conviction for possession of cannabis in April 2023 and youth convictions for battery, handling of stolen goods and theft.

In mitigation, Ms Toohey tells the court: “The defendant is taking a pragmatic approach. He understands he will be sentenced next week and understands there is an inevitability to the sentence he will get. He is very lightly convicted as an adult. He would refute playing a leading role. He didn’t organise this and got caught up in something on the streets of Southport. There is no bail application today.”

District Judge Healey confirms the defendant will be remanded into custody until August 15 for sentence at the crown court. The defendant speaks briefly with his family before leaving to go down to the cells.

Liverpool Echo

Four men jailed for combined eight years and three months following violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool

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August 8, 2024
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(Top left: Adam Wharton. Top right: Ellis Wharton. Bottom left: John O’Malley. Bottom right: William Morgan)

Four men have been jailed for a combined eight years and three months following violent disorder in Liverpool and Southport.

• John O’Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens, in Southport, was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport.

• Adam Wharton, 28, of Selwyn Street, in Kirkdale, was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library in Walton.

• Ellis Wharton, 22, of Selwyn Street, in Kirkdale, was jailed for 11 months years after pleading guilty to burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library in Walton and assaulting an emergency services worker.

• William Nelson Morgan, 69, of Linton Street, Walton, was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon in Walton.

Adam and Ellis Wharton, who are brothers, were arrested in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 4 August following violent scenes on County Road, in Walton, the previous evening.

Ellis was arrested inside the damaged Spellow Hub Library after officers saw him trying to escape with a computer monitor. He also assaulted an officer at the scene. Adam was arrested shortly afterwards when he was spotted by officers acting suspiciously and later identified as being part of a group who entered the library.

Morgan was also involved in the disorder on the same evening, on County Road, when he armed himself with a wooden bat during the violent scenes against officers.

O’Malley was identified as being part of the disorder on St Luke’s Road, in Southport, on Tuesday 30 July, when missiles were thrown at police carriers and officers, causing serious injuries.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “The latest results from court today means there are now seven men in prison following the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

“This should serve as a stark warning to anyone who chooses to take part in such abhorrent behaviour. You will be swiftly arrested and could end up in a jail cell for a considerable amount of time.

“The investigation to identify anyone who took part in the disorder continues and we have now made 44 arrests in total. This will only rise as a specialist team reviews hundreds of hours of footage taken of the incidents.

“We continue to appeal for anyone with information about the disorder in Southport and Liverpool to come forward.”

If you have any information, you can contact us @MerpolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 24000663787.

Merseyside Police

You can read the sentencing remarks here

Faces of next two thugs jailed after violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool

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August 8, 2024
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John O’Malley and William Morgan were both sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

William Nelson Morgan and John O’Malley, both received 32 months for their involvement in the violent disorder last week(Image: Merseyside Police )

These are the faces of the next two thugs who took part in violent disorder in Merseyside. John O’Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, was charged with violent disorder in connection with the disturbance in the north Sefton seaside town last week.

William Morgan, 69 and of Linton Street in Walton, was charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place in relation to the disorder seen in the city on Saturday evening. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Thursday, August 8.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told the court O’Malley engaged in the violent scenes on St Luke’s Road in Southport on July 29. He described the scenes to the court and houses and the mosque were damaged.

Officers estimated a group of about 1,000 people being involved. There were chants of ‘this is our f***ing country,’ ‘s***houses’ and ‘scumbag b*******’, Mr Taylor told the court.

The prosecutor said of O’Malley: “It’s the crown’s case that he was active in and at the heart of the violence. The court will see a barrage of missiles being hurled at officers. The front bumper is pulled from a carrier and hurled at the officers.”

O’Malley was identified via footage from an “independent reporter, who heard chants of give us our country back, who the f*** is Allah and save our children”. Following his arrest, he “told officers he’d been subjected to threats because of his involvement in the disorder” before giving no comment under a further interview.

CCTV footage played to the court showed men taking items out of a red wheelie bin and throwing them towards a police carrier. Wheelie bins are also thrown towards the vehicle. Drone footage from overhead shows a stack of wheelie bins being set on fire in the middle of the road “in order to form a pyramid bonfire”.

Several men are seen on top of a police van, and Mr Taylor said another carrier was set on fire. The footage from an “independent journalist” was played, and showed “a variety of missiles striking the officers”. Comments of “they’ve got no chance” are heard.

Mr Taylor said the footage showed “officers being forced back because of the barrage,” “cheering and encouragement from other members of the mob,” and “shouts of ‘go on Southport’.” Mr Taylor added these chants “don’t represent the views of the community at large”.

O’Malley has convictions for drink driving in 2006 and received a fine for this offence. In November 2023 he was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and was on police bail in respect of a separate investigation at the time. There are currently no formal charges, the court heard.

Paul Lewis, defending, said O’Malley has no children and while “he does not have the benefit of good character he does not have a lengthy record”. Mr Lewis, who was also representing William Morgan, said: “The primary mitigation in their cases is their early pleas. Both men wish to profoundly apologise, not only to the families of those killed and injured in Southport but to the police against who they directed their aggression, to their own families for the shame and embarrassment caused to them and most importantly perhaps to the public for the destruction they in part caused, for the impact on public resources and the fear they now recognise their actions caused.”

Morgan took part in the violent disorder on County Road in Walton. Liverpool Crown Court heard how the 69-year-old was part of the “large mob”. Mr Taylor said: “Officers pushed forward in an attempt to disperse them. This defendant resisted and was seen to be holding a cosh in his hand.” An officer “charged” the defendant, and he dropped the item.

Morgan responded by “kicking out and swearing”, and Mr Taylor added: “It took three officers to control him.” He was then arrested at around 10.45am. As he was placed into a transporter van, Morgan said the cosh was “for his own protection”. Mr Taylor said: “He told officers he was 70 years of age and asked what else they expected him to do. In a subsequent interview, this defendant made no comment responses.”

Video footage played in court showed several men starting a fire at the entry of Spellow Library before the building is then seen “well alight” with other items ablaze in the road. A local corner shop was also broken into and wheelie bins were used as a barricade.

Body-worn footage showed Morgan’s arrest and he could be heard saying “f***ing arseholes, I’m f***ing 70 mate” as he’s struck with officers’ riot shields.

He then added: “I’m gonna die here. I’m English, I’m English. Stop it, I’m gonna die. Get off my. I’m f***ing 70 years of age. F*** off. F***ing get off me. Ah you c***, f*** off. I’m gonna die. You’re gonna kill me. I’m f***ing 70 years of age. F*** off.” An officer can then be heard on the footage, he said: “Why are you here, why are you in a riot man?” Morgan replied: “I’m trying to go home. F***s sake. I appreciate what you’re doing.”

The PC said: “Why are you here?” Morgan said: “Because I live here.” The officer, who has a north east accent, said: “Haway man.” Morgan responded: “You don’t know what I have been through – I have been pepper sprayed.”

Mr Taylor said Morgan “effectively apologises to the officers.” Morgan was said to be “of previous good character with no impending prosecutions”. Mr Lewis for Defence said Morgan was now retired and had worked as a welder.

He is a widower and has three grown up children and Mr Lewis said the offences for him “were entirely out of character”. He said: “He has no experience of the inevitable custodial sentence which will follow and which he may find particularly hard to bear. He accepts that he acted in drink and was disinhibited by the presence of a large crowd.

“Both defendants are aware they will receive sentences intended to provide both punishment to them and a deterrent. While neither were instigators of the damage and violence, they accept their presence provided encouragement for others and is a catalyst for other mobs. They are sorry.”

The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said both defendants were “at the forefront of very serious mob violence’.” He sentenced both to 32 months in prison.

Liverpool Echo

Guilty: Rioters who attacked police told jail time is ‘inevitable’

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August 7, 2024
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One rioter was warned that an immediate prison sentence “seems inevitable”

A pair of louts who attacked police in two separate scenes of “shocking violence” in Southport and Liverpool have admitted their crimes. Philip Prescot, 38, and David Hill, also 38, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court today, August 7, where they both pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Prescot, of Sefton Street, Southport, was part of a violent mob which descended on the town on Tuesday, July 30, following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Residents’ property was damaged, police cars were set on fire and 53 officers were injured in the riot, which is believed to have been organised by the far-right English Defence League.

Prosecutor Michael O’Kane said: “The defendant (Prescot) took part in the violent disorder on July 30 – some shocking violent scenes. “Footage from CCTV and police helicopter showed the defendant kicking a wall down, breaking bricks from the wall and throwing them towards officers. A number of missiles were thrown at officers.

“The officers are attacked by not only the defendant, but also by others present. The police are seen to move back due to the sheer volume of missiles and people offering violence towards them.” Meanwhile Hill, of Bianca Street, Bootle, was involved in scenes of violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, August 3.

Mr O’Kane said: “On Saturday, August 3, violent disorder started in the city centre. During the disturbance, unlawful violence ensued, businesses looted and officers were injured. CCTV and social media posts have been considered by police. The defendant has been identified as part of a group that was involved in the disorder. The defendant can be seen kicking the left wing mirror of a police vehicle while others, currently untraced, set the vehicle alight.”

He said Hill, who appeared in court in black trousers and a plain red T-shirt, had 71 previous convictions for 122 offences. Both Prescot and Hill were represented by duty solicitor Sinead Fearon. In the case of Prescot, she said she had been instructed not to apply for bail as “further instances of protest and violence are planned”. Both men were denied bail by district judge Timothy Boswell, who cited the possibility they would continue to engage in far-right violence.

Addressing Hill, he said: “For his part in the violent disorder that took place in the city centre on August 3, the seriousness of the offence means there’s a very real prospect of immediate custody in this case.”

Addressing Prescot, he said: “There’s a prospect of an immediate custodial sentence. That seems almost inevitable.” Both men were remanded in custody awaiting sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on August 13.

Liverpool Echo

Faces of first three thugs jailed after joining ‘mobs’ in Southport and Liverpool

By
August 7, 2024
Uncategorized

From left; Liam Riley, Declan Geiran and Derek Drummond(Image: Merseyside Police)

From left; Liam Riley, Declan Geiran and Derek Drummond(Image: Merseyside Police)



Three men have been jailed for roles in a series of disturbances across Merseyside. Violence has flared in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton over the past week.

Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked during protesting on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on Tuesday last week, which came following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon also turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.

The disorder then continued on County Road that evening as chaos, violence and destruction ensued as looters targeted businesses in the area. This included a fire being started at Spellow Library and Community Hub.

Three men who pleaded guilty to offences including violent disorder and arson earlier this week in connection with the disturbances in Southport and the city centre appeared before Liverpool Crown Court for sentence this morning, Wednesday. Liam Riley, Derek Drummond and Declan Geiran had previously been due to learn their fates later this month, but their sentencings were subsequently been brought forward.

Drummond, of Pool Street in Southport, admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency services worker at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The 58-year-old shouted “s***houses” before punching one police officer, PC Thomas Ball, in the face and was then said to have subsequently thrown bricks at the scene after “breaking down a wall”.

Geiran, who attempted to set a Merseyside Police van on fire on William Brown Street in the city centre on Saturday, pleaded guilty to arson and violent disorder. The 29-year-old, of Kelso Road in Kensington, was seen on CCTV “using an implement to attempt to set fire to the vehicle before making off”, later being arrested in possession of two lighters.

Riley, of Walton Road, admitted violent disorder and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour. The 41-year-old was said to have formed part of a “large crowd” of around 100 people – some of whom were “throwing rocks and bricks towards” police officers on Whitechapel, where a number of shop windows were also smashed.

As many members of the crowd retreated from the police, he “stood his ground, shouting and waving his arms”. After being taken to the ground, a “very drunk” Riley continued to shout at PCs calling them “traitors” and “Muslim lovers”.

He was also found in possession of a banner reading “this is our city” following his arrest, having been wearing a St George’s flag around his neck. Under interview, he “said he’d heard through word of mouth” of a protest at the Pier Head and attended “in sympathy” and had “been to the pub and had three or four pints at Ranelagh’s Tavern”, but “accepted he did get involved.”

Drummond was today jailed for three years by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC. Geiran received 30 months while Riley was handed 20 months.

Sentencing, Judge Menary said: “Every decent member of the community will have been appalled, horrified and deeply disturbed by what has taken place. On Monday the 29th of July, many families in Southport suffered the most devastating loss when three little girls and numerous other children and adults were brutally killed and seriously injured in a knife attack at a dance class.

“While still shocked and bewildered, many residents in the town came together the following evening. They came together for the purposes of a vigil in support of the bereaved families.

“However, there were others who saw these events as an opportunity to sow division and hatred and published on social media false information about the supposed nationality, ethnicity or religion of the alleged attacker. All of this was complete nonsense, but from that point on it has been used as a pretext for widespread disorder escalating across the country including in this city.

“The police thought they would be joining with a community in mourning. The same night, those officers – some of whom had been present the previous day – found themselves attempting to defend a part of the town and themselves in what was a pitched battle with a large and utterly lawless mob. Quite what they were protesting about remains a complete mystery to me. This mob were using the most foul and racist abuse.

“Over several hours, windows were smashed, walls were demolished and bricks were hurled at the police who were doing nothing more than seeking to protect the community. Over 50 police officers were injured. This was large scale and very violent criminal activity. The genuine collective grief of Southport was effectively hijacked by this callous behaviour.

“Southport is a town where traditionally families live, grow up and take pride in the closeness of the community. Liverpool is a city full of wonderful people with a reputation for creativity and enterprise. Your actions have damaged and discarded the reputations of that town and that city. Quite simply, those who deliberately participate in such disorder will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from such activity.”

Jonathan Egan, senior district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey Cheshire said following the sentencing: “Today, the first prison sentences have been handed down for offenders involved in the widespread and unacceptable disorder we saw in Southport and Liverpool last week. Drummond, Riley and Geiran’s actions would have caused panic, revulsion and chaos in their local communities.

“The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest. Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time.

“The disturbing images we have seen across the country, manipulated by agitators both in-person and online, while local families still grieve the loss of loved ones, is an unforgivable and selfish act that each and every person sentenced today will have to live with. Violence, rioting and aggression will never be tolerated in this country and we stand ready to use the full force of the law against any others who have been, or are considering, joining these intolerable scenes.

“The Crown Prosecution Service’s message is clear. Whatever your motivation for targeting police, inciting hatred, or wreaking havoc on your local community, you will be swiftly punished. Riley, Drummond and Geiran mistakenly thought they would escape justice. They now face an extended period of time behind bars, and their criminal convictions will stay with them forever.

“There are hundreds of prosecutors working flat out across the country, making real-time charging decisions and helping put offenders before the courts. We will continue to work side by side with our police partners to ensure the criminal justice system responds to any and all incidents of disorder as swiftly as possible.

“Let today’s result serve as a warning to all those who carry out criminality on our streets. You will always suffer the consequences.”

Liverpool Echo

Philip Prescot pleads guilty

By
August 7, 2024
Uncategorized

Philip Prescot of Sefton Street, Southport, has appeared in the docks in a grey The North Face tracksuit and a black coat.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the junction of Sussex Road and Zetland Street, Southport, on July 30.

Prosecutor Michael O’Kane said: “The defendant took part in the violent disorder on July 30 – some shocking violent scenes. Footage from CCTV and police helicopter showed the defendant kicking a wall down, breaking bricks from the wall and throwing them towards officers.

“A number of missiles were thrown at officers. The officers are attacked by not only the defendant, but also by others present. The police are seen to move back due to the sheer volume of missiles and people offering violence towards them.”

Sinead O’Kane, defending, said she had been instructed not to apply for bail, as the court heard “further instances of protest and violence are planned”.

Prescot was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown court on August 13.

District judge Timothy Boswell said: “There’s a prospect of an immediate custodial sentence. That seems almost inevitable.”

Liverpool Echo

John O’Malley’s guilty plea ‘not accepted at this stage’

By
August 5, 2024
Uncategorized

The 43-year-old, also of Cambridge Gardens, is charged with violent disorder in connection with the disturbance in Southport on Tuesday. He is brought into the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and glasses with a shaved head.

O’Malley speaks to confirm his name, address and date of birthday before pleading guilty to the charge. Mr Sanderson-Kirk: “Mr O’Malley is identified by a member of the public. He is arrested at home.”

His guilty plea is entered on a basis “that his involvement was standing in a group of people shouting and gesticulating but not throwing objects, damaging property or assaulting anyone”. Mr Sanderson-Kirk says the basis is “not accepted at this stage” by the prosecution.

Mr Coleman says his client is “very lightly convicted”, although there is an entry for battery in 2023. Judge Boswell remands O’Malley into custody ahead of his sentencing before the crown court on August 29.

Liverpool Echo