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A man who assaulted a police officer during unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has become only the third person in England to admit a charge of rioting.

The Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth was attacked and set on fire during disorder on 4 August, in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, previously pleaded guilty to assaulting the female officer but denied riot charges.

He appeared at Stoke Crown Court via video link from prison to change his plea on Thursday.

Judge John Edwards told him it was a “sensible” decision and that he would be sentenced on 11 October.

The attack on the Holiday Inn Express came amid the disorder that swept the UK last month.

The riots and protests were in part fuelled by false claims on social media that the suspect in the Southport attack was an immigrant who had arrived on a small boat.

The court heard Orr was also in breach of a suspended sentence order, having been handed a 17-week term in January for theft, assault and driving while disqualified.

Judge Edwards said: “The fact that you have pleaded guilty today is something that the [sentencing] judge can take into consideration.

“You have not left it to the day of trial [to plead guilty] which is very sensible if I may say so.”

The charge against Orr was upgraded from violent disorder to the more serious charge of riot after a review of the evidence by prosecutors.

No details of Orr’s involvement in the rioting were given to the court, but CCTV evidence will be played at a future hearing.

Defence barrister Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe told the court that Orr had mental health issues, which may need to be explored before his sentencing.

Emily Lenham of the Crown Prosecution Service said he was an active participant who was directly attacking police, especially after officers tried to control the situation.

“When the disorder escalated, rather than leaving, Orr continued to play an active role; encouraging others to set fire to the hotel with people trapped inside – recklessly endangering lives,” she said.

“Despite his clear involvement he attempted to minimise his conduct, claiming he had attended for a lawful protest.

“However, the strength of evidence against him left him no choice but to plead guilty.”

n a separate hearing at the same court, Matthew Hodgekinson also pleaded guilty to having taking part in violent disorder.

The 33-year-old, of Halmerend, Newcastle-under-Lyme, admitted one charge relating to unrest in Stoke-on-Trent on 3 August.

Judge Sally Hancox said it was “almost inevitable” Hodgekinson would be facing a custodial sentence.
BBC News

Simon Orr was charged by Staffordshire Police after a major inquiry into an attack on a hotel.

A man who assaulted a female police constable has become the third offender in England to admit a charge of riot in connection with the summer’s disorder in parts of the UK.

Simon Orr, 38, of Grazier Avenue, Two Gates, Tamworth, Staffordshire, appeared by prison videolink on Thursday to admit rioting in the town on August 4, when a hotel housing asylum seekers was attacked and set on fire.

He had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and will be sentenced next month, after the court heard he was also in breach of a suspended sentence order, having been handed a 17-week suspended jail term in January for offences of theft, assault and driving while disqualified.

Judge John Edwards told Orr, who appeared on the videolink screen wearing an orange bib over a black short-sleeved T-shirt: “All things being equal you will be sentenced on October 11.

“The fact that you have pleaded guilty today is something that the (sentencing) judge can take into consideration.

“You have not left it to the day of trial (to plead guilty) which is very sensible if I may say so.”

The charge against Orr was upgraded from violent disorder to the more serious charge of riot after a review of the evidence by prosecutors.

Defence barrister Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe told the court that Orr, who is being held in custody at HMP Dovegate, had mental health issues which may need to be explored before his sentencing.

No details of Orr’s involvement in the rioting were given to the court, other than the wording of the charges he admitted.

The court heard CCTV evidence will be played at his sentencing hearing.

In a separate hearing at Stoke Crown Court, Matthew Hodgekinson pleaded guilty to taking part in violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent last month.

Hodgekinson, 33, of Halmerend, Newcastle-under-Lyme, admitted one charge relating to disorder in the city on August 3.

No details of Hodgekinson’s offending were given to the court during the short hearing on Thursday, but Judge Sally Hancox told the defendant it was “almost inevitable” he would be facing a custodial sentence.

She said: “This was part of a number of disturbances across the country following the tragic events in Southport.

“Having reviewed the CCTV footage, in my view you have taken a sensible step by admitting your wrongdoing.

“You will be sentenced on October 11 and you will be remanded into custody between now and then.”

Hodgekinson said “Thank you” before being led back down to the cells.

Evening Standard

Images of Tommy McQuaker, Aimee Hodgkinson-Hedgecox and Tyler Marchese were issued after they pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Staffordshire Police have issued custody photos of three people involved in disorder in the wake of the Southport stabbings, including a 29-year-old man who repeatedly kicked a police dog.

The force said Tommy McQuaker, of Amington, Tamworth, also launched missiles at police in the town and refused to comply with instructions when he was told to move back by a dog-handler.

Due to the 29-year-old’s aggressive behaviour and repeated attempts to assault officers and police dogs, he was bitten by Police Dog Vixen, and repeatedly kicked her as a result of the bite.

The dog was also hit in the head with a brick by someone who took part in disorder on August 4 outside Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express hotel.

In a statement issued after McQuaker admitted violent disorder at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday, police said he handed himself in on August 15.

He admitted violent disorder and pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog, with prosecutors accepting the latter charge should not be proceeded with, and will be sentenced on November 8.

Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox pleaded guilty to violent disorder after she was seen on footage repeatedly challenging officers and making a number of racial slurs at the scene, police said.

She was with a young child, who she had to move out of the way of fireworks and missiles that were being thrown.

Hodgkinson-Hedgecox will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court in November.

Meanwhile, Tyler Bradley Marchese, 21 of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Officers said he was seen numerous times on footage filmed on Stoke-on-Trent on August 3, engaging in violent disorder and throwing objects at police at the scene.

Father-of-one Marchese will appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on September 27 for sentencing.

Staffordshire Police have so far arrested a total of 94 people and charged 38 with offences following the violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth.

The latest to be charged are Lee Clark, 41, of Dordon, Tamworth, who faces allegations of violent disorder and common assault of an emergency worker.

Sam Williams, 36, of Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of cannabis.

David Kirkbridge, 28, and Colin Stonehouse, 36, both of Wilnecote, Tamworth, have been charged with violent disorder.

Williams has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on September 27.

Clark has been remanded in custody and will appear at Stafford Crown Court on the same date.

Kirkbridge and Stonehouse have been remanded in custody ahead of their next appearance at Stafford Crown Court on September 30.

Evening Standard

Cameron Bell admitted a charge of violent disorder at Stafford Crown Court and now faces an ‘inevitable’ custodial sentence.

Six men and two women, including a care worker who broadcast a violent protest on social media, were remanded in custody after appearing in connection with disorder in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on August 4.

Stafford Crown Court was told Cameron Bell, who has no previous convictions, accepted her guilt on a charge of violent disorder “on the understanding that she was present and live-streamed the matter to her TikTok account”.

Bell, 24, from Tamworth, admitted a single count of violent disorder on Tuesday and was remanded in custody for sentencing in the week commencing October 28 after being told a jail sentence was inevitable.

She appeared in the dock alongside her partner Kyle Barber, also from Tamworth, whose case was adjourned until October 8.

Barber, 24, was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of violent disorder and was remanded in custody.

Mitchell Cleaver, 25, of Burton-on-Trent, appeared jointly via videolink from HMP Dovegate along with Martin McCluskey, 60, from Tamworth.

Cleaver, wearing a vest, admitted a charge of riot relating to events in Tamworth on August 4, where a hotel containing housing asylum seekers was set on fire, and will be sentenced on October 30.

McCluskey admitted violent disorder and pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Judge John Edwards ordered a psychological assessment to be carried out on Cleaver, who has serious learning difficulties and was caught on police drone footage, before sentencing on November 11.

The judge ordered McCluskey to remain in custody until sentencing on October 30.

Tommy McQuaker, 29, of Amington in Tamworth, made a separate videolink appearance from HMP Dovegate.

He admitted violent disorder and pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog, with prosecutors accepting the latter charge should not be proceeded with.

Adjourning McQuaker’s case to November 8, Judge Edwards told him: “I will accede to your barrister’s request for a pre-sentence report but please don’t take it from that that your sentence will be anything other than one of prison.”

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, is accused of riot and assaulting a female police officer.

He admitted assault but pleaded not guilty to riot on the grounds he does not accept having a common purpose with others present at the scene.

His case was adjourned for trial in the week commencing January 20.

No pleas were taken from Darren Woodley, 55, also from Tamworth and also charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody until next Monday.

Last to appear before the same judge was Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The 37-year-old, from Rugeley, was said to have had “somewhat limited” involvement in the disorder and will reappear for sentence in custody in the week beginning November 4.

Evening Standard

Six men and two women appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday accused of committing offences during the disturbance at the town’s Holiday Inn Express on 4 August.

Cameron Bell, 23, Martin McClusky, 60, and Tommy McQuaker, 29, all from Tamworth, admitted violent disorder.

McClusky also pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer.

Aimee Hodgkinson, 37, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, admitted violent disorder, while Mitchell Cleaver, 25, from Tamworth, pleaded guilty to a charge of riot.

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer but not guilty to riot. His trial for the latter charge has been scheduled for 20 January.

Kyle Barber, 24, and Darren Woodley, 55, both from Tamworth, did not enter pleas to charges of violent disorder and their cases have been adjourned.

Those who pleaded guilty are due to be sentenced at later dates.

BBC News

The courts are continuing to hand jail terms to those involved in recent unrest

Dozens more people have been sent to jail this week for taking part in disorder that spread across the UK earlier this month, after the deaths of three young girls in Southport.

Prosecutors have charged over 520 people following the recent disorder, with the CPS saying they are ‘working around the clock’ with police to ‘deliver swift justice.’ Since the start of August, at least 117 people have been sent to jail for their involvement in the riots.

Over the last week, thugs, including two brothers, have been jailed for throwing bricks and wheelie bins at police responders, assault and chanting racist abuse.

One man took a sledgehammer to cars at a garage belonging to a foreign national, while the terrified owner cowered inside with his family. Another used a large piece of concrete to smash the window of a police vehicle with an officer inside fearing for his life.

The majority of charges so far have been for violent disorder, which carries a maximum jail sentence of five years. Sentences can range from anything from a community order to increasingly longer spells in prison up to the maximum.

Here are some of the people put behind bars for their part in the riots last week.

Dean Groenewald, Sunderland (two years and two months)

Dean Groenewald
Dean Groenewald, 32, was filmed throwing a paving stone towards the police (Image: PA)

A man who threw a stone at police after getting “carried away” during riots in Sunderland has been jailed for more than two years. Dean Groenewald, 32, was jailed for 26 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday after admitting one count of violent disorder at a previous hearing.

The court heard that Groenewald was filmed throwing the paving stone at Keel Square during a riot that broke out following a protest in Sunderland city centre on August 2.

Claire Anderson, in mitigation, said that while her client threw the missile in the direction of the police, it had gone over their heads. “He got carried away in the moment, and for some inexplicable reason, he picked up that item that was on the floor and he threw it in the general direction of the police,” she said.

Ms Anderson said her formerly unemployed client had found work while on remand at HMP Hull. “In the short time that he has been on remand in Hull he has managed to get a job as a helper on the servery,” she said. “He hopes that he will be able to find alternative employment in custody, depending upon the circumstances and prison he ultimately ends up being sent to. Because, obviously, my lord knows the conditions in custody are exceptionally difficult at the moment.”

Niven Matthewman, Rotherham (two years and eight months)

Niven Matthewman, 19, threw a chair at police during unrest in Rotherham (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

Niven Matthewman, 19, threw a chair at police and yelled “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for taking part in violent disorder on August 4 in Rotherham.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC described Matthewman as part of an “ignorant mob” who participated in racist disorder, and said the incident was “extremely frightening for anyone who was there”.

The court heard how 58 police officers were injured as a result of the incident, alongside three police dogs and a police horse.

Judge Richardson told Matthewman: “I cannot imagine why someone aged 19 years with no previous convictions would wish to get themselves in this and you must be punished.”

The judge said Matthewman would be detained in a young offenders’ institution and be subject to a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

Donna Conniff, Hartlepool (two years)

Donna Conniff, 40, was caught on camera throwing bricks at police (Image: Cleveland Police)

A mum-of-six threw a brick at police officers during a violent protest in Hartlepool. Donna Conniff has been jailed for two years as a judge branded her actions “truly disgraceful”.

The 40-year-old was identified from CCTV and video footage of a protest in Murray Street on the evening of July 31, in which she was seen hurling a brick and a rock towards a line of police officers. She was arrested on August 13.

Conniff, of Alford Court in Hartlepool, dressed all in black and wearing sunglasses, was also seen handing a brick to a juvenile who threw it towards police, and was part of a crowd of people who surged forwards at officers and was seen joining in with cheers as missiles were thrown.

Martin Scarborough, defending Conniff, told Teesside Crown Court on Monday that she had come across the protest, which was advertised on social media, “by chance” at around 6pm.

Judge Francis Laird KC accepted that Conniff, who earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was remorseful but said a custodial sentence was the correct course of action. He said: “Your behaviour and the behaviour of others around you was truly disgraceful.”

She was told she must serve up to one half of her 24-month sentence in custody before being released on licence. As she was led out of the dock, Conniff shouted “love you” to family members in the public gallery.

David Notley, London (one year and eight months)

David Notley, 67, was jailed for 20 months at Inner London Crown Court (Image: Met Police)

A 67-year-old man was locked up for 20 months after chanting “You’re not English anymore” at police officers during a demonstration in Whitehall in London. David Notley, of Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forest, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and causing religiously aggravated distress.

Alex Agbamu, prosecuting, said that “members and supporters of far-right organisations” took part in the protest on July 31. He said Notley made his way to the front of the crowd, confronted police in a “fighting pose” surging back and forth and joined in the chant “You’re not English anymore” and “Who the f*** is Allah?”.

He helped push another demonstrator into a police officer which “precipitated a physical confrontation involving the police (and) demonstrators”, the prosecutor said, and then remained at the front of the crowd.

Defending himself, he told the court that he got “swept up” in the demonstration and was not violent towards police officers.

Judge Freya Newbery told the court that Notley was a “career burglar and thief” who was jailed for 20 years in 2009 for drug smuggling. He had been released on licence but was recalled to prison for breaching his licence due to his involvement in the protest.

Lynden Parker, Manchester (two years and two months)

Lynden Parker, 26, launched a vape at a hotel housing asylum seekers (Image: GMP)

A tyre-fitter admitted violent disorder after throwing an e-cigarette at a hotel for asylum seekers in Manchester. Lynden Parker, 26, has been jailed for 26 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder following trouble at the hotel in Newton Heath.

During the disorder on July 31, bricks and glass bottles were thrown at the hotel and a mob of people surrounded and attacked a passing bus with ethnic minority passengers aboard, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Passing sentence Judge Patrick Field KC, told Parker: “You appear to have been motivated by deeply unpleasant, ignorant and possibly extremist racist views and such a mindset.

“By your presence as part of a mob and throwing that missile, you were encouraging and spurring on others to behave in a similar way.

“People like you who involve themselves and participate in such violence, bringing terror and disorder into this city, must expect severe consequences by way of severe custodial sentences.”

David Engleby, Paul Dryhurst and Luke Summerfield, Southport (up to two years and four months)

David Engleby, Paul Dryhurst and Luke Summerfield were all jailed for throwing missiles at police in Southport (Image: Merseyside Police)

Three men were jailed for throwing missiles at police officers outside a mosque in Southport.

David Engleby, 29, of Scarisbrick New Road, Southport, gave a thumbs up to the judge after he was jailed for two years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court for violent disorder.

Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You joined a large and aggressive mob on St Luke’s Road. You can be seen to be part of the group chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah’. You then pick up an item, a brick, throw it at police and then throw a second missile at police.”

Self-employed joiner Paul Dryhurst, 33, of Gale Road in Litherland, was sentenced to two years for violent disorder after the court heard he was recognised on footage by a police officer who had gone to school with him.

Sentencing him, the judge said: “You can be seen to pick up some item, throw it at police before seeming to smile in satisfaction then taking up a position to film the disorder.”

Luke Summerfield, 33, of Mansfield Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, was jailed for two years and two months after he was seen on footage among the crowd, picking up an item and throwing it towards police.

Eve Salter, defending, said video also showed him trying to stop other members of the crowd from kicking a journalist who was on the floor.

Stuart Randall and William Riley, Hull (three years and one year and six months)

Stuart Randall and William Riley were involved in the riots in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)

Two men have been locked up for violent disorder that unfolded in Hull on August 3.

Father-of-three Stuart Randall took a sledgehammer to cars at a garage belonging to a foreign national while the terrified owner cowered inside with his family. The 55-year-old has been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to two counts of racially aggravated criminal damage, violent disorder, criminal damage to two shops, burglary of the O2 store and Lush, and possession of cannabis.

Hull Crown Court heard how Randall danced in front of a police line while waving a riot shield and smashed the front windows of two shops during a day of “racist, hate-fuelled mob violence” in the city. He also smashed the glass of a BMW that had contained three Romanian men who were forced out of their vehicle by an angry mob, although the court heard he was not directly involved in that incident.

Footage played in court showed Randall picking up a bar stool and using it to smash the front of a Specsavers shop, before doing the same with a fire extinguisher at Holland & Barrett. He was also seen on CCTV looting Lush and the O2 store.

William Riley, 64, punched a police officer in the jaw and handed out eggs for people to throw. He has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

The court heard he was prominent at the front of a group who were confronting a police line, acting aggressively and throwing missiles. He went on to punch an officer to the side of the jaw as he was trying to detain him.

The court heard the conviction was “a massive fall from grace” for Riley, who is involved with veterans’ charities who had attended the city centre that day to lay a wreath for the victims of the Southport stabbing.

Graham Brookes, Manchester (one year and eight months)

Graham Brookes, 42, was caught on camera throwing a pint of cider towards police (Image: GMP)

A family man who has never been in trouble with police before was locked up for 20 months for violent disorder amid mob violence in Manchester. A “legion of testimonials” praising Graham Brookes, 42, was handed to Judge Patrick Field KC, passing sentence on the defendant at Manchester Crown Court.

Brookes was caught on camera throwing a pint of cider towards police before later aiming a kick at one officer during widespread disorder in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on August 3.

Judge Field asked Brookes’ barrister: “How is it that a man with his background and character, a family man with a good work record, should behave the way I have witnessed? Like a hooligan? A man about who so many good things have been and could be said, could find himself involved in this sort of brutish, nasty, public violence. It’s a question, I suppose, there’s no reasonable answer to.”

Tim Storey KC, defending, replied: “It is the conundrum at the heart of the whole case for Graham Brookes. His life is characterised by stability. Community minded. Graham Brookes is not a racist man.”

Ethan Miles, Blackpool (two years and six months)

Ethan Miles, 21, was jailed for 30 months for violent disorder in Blackpool (Image: Lancashire Constabulary)

A man who threw objects at crowds of people during a violent protest in Blackpool has been jailed for 30 months. Ethan Miles, 21, of Haig Road, hurled chairs, bottles, cans and other objects towards the crowds – which included police officers – during disorder in the town on August 3.

Lancashire Police said Miles, who was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to violent disorder, also removed the wing mirror of a police van before throwing it at the vehicle, which had officers inside.

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said Miles “acted without care towards those around him, choosing to be violent and cause disorder in the town”.

David Jordan, Tamworth (two years and four months)

David Jordan took part in a protest outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth (Image: Staffordshire Police)

David Jordan was jailed for 28 months after throwing a missile and shouting racist remarks during a protest in Tamworth. The 59-year-old was charged with violent disorder after video footage showed him throwing an object towards a line of police in front of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Staffordshire town, where migrants were being housed, on August 4.

The defendant, of Tamworth Road, could also be heard shouting “f****** paedos” towards the hotel and telling police officers to “f*** off”.

Sentencing him at Stafford Crown Court, Judge John Edwards told Jordan: “You rightly hung your head in shame as we watched the video. I have looked with care at the footage, you are front and centre of this baying mob for an hour-and-a-half.”

Liam Gray, Rotherham (three years)

Liam Gray, 20, pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

A 20-year-old man was caught on video repeatedly charging at a line of police with riot shields outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Manufacturing engineer Liam Gray was arrested following rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on August 4.

Gray, of Randerson Drive, Kilnhurst, South Yorkshire, was filmed at the front of a large mob charging at least three times at the officers and trying to grab their shields. He was also filmed among the crowd outside the hotel at a number of different points during the afternoon as police attempted to disperse them.

Sentencing him to three years in jail, Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “You have brought shame on yourself. You have brought shame on your mother and father. You have brought shame on the town in which you live.”

Ed Moss, defending, said: “He’s made the biggest error of the 20 years he’s been on this planet and he’s now going to pay the price.” Mr Moss said his client wanted to make it clear “there isn’t racist bone in his body”, to which the judge responded: “If that’s true, what on earth was he doing?”

Bradley McCarthy, Bristol (one year and eight months)

Bradley McCarthy was involved in clashes with counter-protesters and police (Image: Avon and Somerset Constabulary)

Bradley McCarthy shouted in a police dog’s face during rioting in Bristol and called opponents “p*** c****”. The 34-year-old has been jailed for 20 months after joining an anti-immigration march on August 3.

A court heard how McCarthy was involved in clashes with counter-protesters and police in Castle Park and on Bristol Bridge. McCarthy was caught on video “threatening” opponents and shouting at the police, including at a police dog. Emily Evans, prosecuting, said the defendant played a “prominent role” in the incident.

Bristol Crown Court heard McCarthy was arrested for breach of the peace and later let go by officers but remained in the area. “Instead of taking that as a sign to go home, he can later be seen shouting at police officers and also shouting in a police dog’s face,” Ms Evans told the court.

At a previous hearing McCarthy, of Knowle, Bristol, admitted violent disorder. The dad-of-three has convictions for violence, weapons offences and public order but had not been in trouble for several years.

Robyn Rowlands, defending, said McCarthy had recently tried to help a person at the roadside who was dying after trying to take their own life, which had an “exceptional effect” on his mental health.

Alfie Conway, Rotherham (two years and three months)

Alfie Conway, 19, pleaded guilty to violent disorder (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

A 19-year-old man threw missiles at police protecting a hotel housing asylum seekers. Apprentice bricklayer Alfie Conway was jailed for two years and three months at Sheffield Crown Court after admitting violent disorder.

Conway, of Park Avenue, South Kirby, was arrested after one officer standing behind a riot shield outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, near Rotherham, recognised him and shouted that he would be going to prison.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how the defendant had a troubled past but had worked hard to secure an apprenticeship.

The judge said: “What on earth possessed him to truly throw all of that away to hurl whatever it was at police officers – one of whom knew exactly who he was?”

Judge Richardson told Conway: “You have been exceptionally foolish”, and expressed his sympathy for Conway’s grandparents, who were watching from the public gallery.

Craig Timbrell, Bristol (two years and six months)

Craig Timbrell was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Bristol Crown Court (Image: Avon and Somerset Constabulary)

A single father who took part in violent clashes with the police during an anti-immigration protest in Bristol has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Craig Timbrell, 38, threw concrete blocks, bricks and bottles at the police near to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.

Bristol Crown Court heard Timbrell attended the demonstration in Bristol city centre on August 3. Meabh McGee, prosecuting, said Timbrell was filmed throwing objects at the police during clashes near the Mercure Hotel in the Redcliffe area of the city.

She said: “There was targeting of locations known to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees. The situation escalated to the point where there was significant disorder and violence used towards officers, property and opposing groups.”

The court heard he has convictions for violence, public order offences and knife crime, but had not been in trouble since 2015.

Emily Evans, defending Timbrell, of Hartcliffe, Bristol, said: “He couldn’t really explain it (why he threw missiles at the police) other than to say his mental health was at a decline at that point in time.”

She said he had recently stopped caring for his children due to his declining mental health and had looked after them following the death of his partner from cancer. She added: “He very much wants to have the children back in his care. That of course is jeopardised by the way he behaved on August 3.”

Passing sentence, Judge Julian Lambert told Timbrell: “This was no peaceful protest and was never going to be so. It was a violent, ignorant, drink fuelled defiance of the law. The violence that I saw later from you was intense and shocking. It was also a potential catalyst for yet worse violence.”

Lee Crisp, Rotherham (three years and four months)

Lee Crisp, 42, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Crown Court (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

Lee Crisp shouted abuse at police guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and cheered as others threw missiles at officers. The 42-year-old has been jailed for three years and four months.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Crisp, of Mount Road, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, was even abusing police after his arrest outside the Holiday Inn Express, telling one officer: “You’re protecting the bastards who are raping our kids.”

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said the defendant shouted at one officer: “Take your f****** uniform off, I’ll knock the f*** out of you” and “you f****** horrible little c***”. And he shouted at someone recording the violence: “Sex offending bastards. BBC bastards”.

Ms Hollis said factory worker Crisp celebrated as the group he was with threw missiles at the officers.

When Crisp appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, his solicitor told a district judge that his client was a victim of mistaken identity as he took his elderly mother for a Sunday lunch in the pub next to the hotel. But Crisp did not maintain this defence when he appeared at crown court this week.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said the “high octane” abuse dished out by Crisp encouraged the crowd, adding: “You were leading the way in all of this, in four separate incidents”.

Joel Bishop, Hartlepool (one year and six months)

Joel Bishop threw rocks and a plank of wood during widespread disorder in Hartlepool (Image: Cleveland Police)

Ex-soldier Joel Bishop threw stones at the police during widespread disorder in Hartlepool. He was identified later from the T-shirt he was wearing which had his name on the back, a court heard.

Bishop, a qualified tank driver who served with the Royal Logistic Corps, admitted a charge of violent disorder and two counts of possessing offensive weapons, namely rocks and a plank of wood. Video footage shown in court showed the father-of-two joining in attacks on police officers in riot gear, three times throwing stones or a plank at them and referring to them as “black c****”. The prosecution accepted this was not a racist comment, but an insult directed at police.

Judge Francis Laird KC, at Teesside Crown Court, sentenced the 27-year-old to 18 months in prison, having accepted his genuine remorse and that the hard-working “family man” had an “exemplary” Army record.

Bishop, of Tweed Walk, Hartlepool, has no previous convictions or convictions and acted completely out of character that night, said Rod Hunt, defending. The defendant joined the Army at 18, boxed for his regiment, took part in winter combat exercises, and had no disciplinary issues during his five years in uniform.

Passing sentence, Judge Laird said Bishop’s behaviour that night was “disgraceful”. He told him: “Joel Bishop, you chose to take part in an organised and large scale act of public disorder. In that disorder, police officers were attacked and there was significant damage to property.”

Bishop’s partner and mother wept in the public gallery as he was jailed for 18 months. The judge reduced that from 27 months on account of his earlier guilty plea.

David Chadwick, Rotherham (two years and eight months)

David Chadwick, 36, was jailed for two years and eight months (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

A 36-year-old man who threw wood at police guarding a hotel in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months. David Chadwick, of Furlong Road, Barnsley, was part of a “violent mob” who attacked a “vastly outnumbered” group of police officers who were pinned to the wall of the Holiday Inn Express, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

The judge heard how Chadwick was also present during an incident in which a police van was violently rocked, with officers and a dog inside. The court heard how Chadwick was filmed twice pouring the contents of a can through the van window onto the police driver, who was trying to move out of danger.

Judge Richardson said: “Each and every one of them (the police) were doing their duty and it must have been very frightening for them.”

Chadwick said in a letter to the court: “I have let myself down, I have let my family-and-friends down, and I’ve let my whole community down.”

Daniel Stewart and Andrew Hook, Blackpool (two years and three months)

Andrew Hook (left) and Daniel Stewart (right) took part in violent disorder in Blackpool (Image: Lancashire Police)

Two men were jailed for 27 months each after taking part in violent disorder in Blackpool on August 3. Daniel Stewart, 28, of Ashton Road, and Andrew Hook, 32, of Coronation Street, were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.

Stewart had been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating after covering his face before shouting at police officers, who he also threw a can towards and pushed. He later assaulted a security guard at a shopping centre, the Lancashire Police said.

Hook had been charged with violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after kicking and punching a security guard during disorder in the town.

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said: “Hook and Stewart chose to have a detrimental impact on the law-abiding citizens of our Lancashire communities. They were violent towards my officers, and members of the public. Their behaviour was disgraceful and will absolutely not be tolerated in Lancashire.”

Jake Lowther, Southport (one year and six months)

Jake Lowther, 20, will spend his jail term in a young offenders institute (Image: Merseyside Police)

A 20-year-old man who threw stones at police during disorder in Southport has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institute. Jake Lowther, of Abrams Fold, Banks, nodded to his parents as his mother called “love you” after he was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC said Lowther was seen on footage as part of the crowd, gesticulating towards officers while others threw missiles. He said at one point Lowther picked up two pieces of brick or stone from a broken wall and threw them towards police, with one hitting a riot shield.

Stuart Mills, defending, said Lowther had ADHD and had been “swept up in the moment”. The judge said: “There’s no evidence your condition in anyway reduces your culpability.”

Peter Beard, Rotherham (two years and six months)

Peter Beard, 43, was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

A former solider who undertook tours of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting pushing aggressively at a line of police with riot shields as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Father-of-three Peter Beard, 43, of Becknoll Road, Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed by body-worn cameras at the front of a mob confronting officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on August 4.

The court heard how Beard’s aggression toward the officers came at a critical time in the rioting after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC heard how Beard served in the Royal Green Jackets between 1998 and 2003, and the judge said he was “astonished” that the defendant had become involved as he had been “on the receiving end” of public order incidents as a peacekeeper.

Luke Moran and Nicholas Sinclair, Southport (up to three years)

Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of father-of-three Luke Moran, 38, who was sentenced to three years after trying to smash a police van window. Issue date: Wednesday August 21, 2024. PA Photo.

A father-of-three who left a police officer fearing for his life as he tried to smash a van window has been jailed for three years. Liverpool Crown Court heard Luke Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm after his image was published following violence which broke out in Southport on July 30.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran was seen on footage with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver’s side window of a police vehicle with an officer inside.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC told the court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far.”

The court was played bodyworn footage from Pc James Hayes in which Moran was holding a chunk of masonry, which he hit the vehicle with three times.

Judge Flewitt said: “Unsurprisingly, at that stage Pc Hayes feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked.”

In the footage, the constable could be heard telling colleagues over his radio: “I’m going to have to bail, my window’s about to go through.”

Nicholas Sinclair, 38, was seen in footage throwing bricks at officers (Image: Merseyside Police)

Moran’s friend and co-defendant Nicholas Sinclair, of Bury Road, Birkdale, was jailed for two years and four months after admitting violent disorder. The 38-year-old, a manager at a scaffolding firm, was seen in footage from the disorder on July 30 shouting towards police and throwing bricks.

Simon Christie, defending both Sinclair Moran, said they had been “swept up in an incident they neither understood or took the time to consider”.

Daniel Carrigan, Southport (two years and eight months)

Daniel Carrigan, 41, was jailed for two years and eight months (Image: Merseyside Police)

Cocaine addict Daniel Carrigan was put behind bars for two years and eight months after admitting violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport.

The 41-year-old, of Preston Grove, Liverpool, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, where footage was played which showed him throwing items at a police van and kicking the side of the vehicle.

Charles Lander, defending, said Carrigan had taken cocaine on the day of the incident and said his addiction to the drug was “out of control”. He added: “He didn’t go there to cause violence, he got carried away with the mob.”

The court heard he had been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault in 2016 after telling a traffic warden he should “return back to his own country”.

Thomas Whitehead, Southport (one year and eight months)

Thomas Whitehead, 53, was arrested on a plane at Manchester Airport (Image: Merseyside Police)

Thomas Whitehead was arrested on a plane at Manchester Airport after taking part in a protest in Southport and has now been jailed for one year and eight months for violent disorder.

The 53-year-old was part of a large group which gathered outside a mosque in the Merseyside town on July 30, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said his picture was circulated and he was arrested on August 13 at Manchester Airport on board a plane.

The gardener, of Pool Street, Southport, told police he had been to the pub when he noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening, but he accepted throwing items.

Paul Wood, defending, said Whitehead had three daughters and was a “family man”.

Declan Dixon, Hartlepool (one year and six months)

(Image: PA)

A 22-year-old electrician who threw a brick at police during disorder in Hartlepool was jailed for 18 months. Declan Dixon, of Salisbury Avenue, Hindley, was seen on video footage picking up a missile and throwing it at police in riot gear on the night of July 31 after a protest grew violent.

When he was arrested 11 days later, sitting in a BMW, he was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said Dixon was working on Teesside at the time and he told police he was present that night “out of curiosity”.

He admitted violent disorder and possessing cocaine and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 18 months, saying: “Your behaviour, and the behaviour of others around you, was disgraceful.”

Gary Wood, defending, said Dixon was immature, had no previous convictions and had now lost his £1,600-a-month apprenticeship. The judge accepted the defendant came from a “loving family” and added: “It is very difficult to understand how you came to be involved with a violent mob.”

Perrie Fisher, Aldershot (two years and five months)

Perrie Fisher, 29, was seen riding a bike wearing an England flag (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police)

A 29-year-old man was seen riding a children’s scooter before throwing it at a hotel housing asylum seekers and telling a police officer to f*** off. Scaffolder Perrie Fisher was also seen riding a bike wearing an England flag before throwing it in a skip, and throwing bicycle wheels at the walls of Potters International Hotel as part of a crowd of around 200 people in Aldershot on July 31.

The Farnham man was arrested at Gatwick airport on return from his Dubai holiday on August 19 after he did not appear at magistrates’ court following the incident. He was brought before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and a bail act offence.

Winchester Crown Court later heard how 85 families were living in the hotel and there were people inside the accommodation in “great fear” of what was going to happen to them. Around £1,900 worth of damage was also caused from the disorder after a small group of protesters got into the hotel car park at around 6.40pm and more and more joined them.

Judge Nigel Lickley KC described how Fisher threw the children’s scooter “with force” at the hotel and there was a loud bang and cheering from the crowd as a result. The bikes had been provided for the hotel residents to use, the court heard.

Prosecutor Tim Devlin said a large crowd started shouting ‘illegals out,’ ‘we want our community back’ and ‘f*** off’. He added the police were “massively outnumbered” and the situation was “rapidly getting out of hand”.

In mitigation the court heard the act was “out of character” for the new dad who felt remorse for what he had done. Sentencing Fisher, Judge Lickley said the occupants of the hotel were the “real target” of Fisher’s actions which were fuelled by hostility over race and religion.

Fisher was sentenced to 29 months’ imprisonment for both offences. He will be released from prison after serving half of his sentence and will spend the rest on licence, the judge said.

Jordan Murray, David Buckle and Jermaine Glover, Hull (up to three years)

(Left to right) Jordan Murray, David Buckle and Jermaine Glover were involved in riots in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)

Three men were jailed for offences including arson and violent disorder after rioting in Hull.

Jordan Murray, 26, of Grasby Road, Hull, who looted a Greggs outlet and threw a metal bench at police was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, possession of class B drugs and two counts of burglary.

Hull Crown Court heard he played a “significant role in the large-scale disorder” and was at the front of a group confronting police in the city centre on August 3 and “behaving in an aggressive manner towards officers throughout”.

David Buckle, 39, of Southgate Way, Hull, was part of a crowd that pursued a BMW carrying three Romanian men, although the court heard he was not one of the mob that forced them out of the vehicle. Buckle was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard he was prominent in a group of people confronting a protective police line outside a hotel known to house asylum seekers, with prosecutor Jeremy Evans saying he was “aggressive and abusive, throwing missiles at officers”.

Jermaine Glover, 23, of Cranswick Grove, Hull, who took part in an arson attack at a garage owned by a foreign national, was jailed for two years after admitting violent disorder and arson. The court heard he barged into a police line and “behaved in an aggressive manner towards officers, shouting, gesturing, helping others push bins at officers and throwing missiles”.

Tommy Callaghan, Southport (two years and two months)

Tommy Callaghan, 32, was jailed for two years and two months (Image: Merseyside Police)

A gas engineer who joined in racist chants and threw objects at police in Southport has been jailed for two years and two months. Tommy Callaghan, 32, of Platt Bridge, Wigan, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse at Liverpool Crown Court, where footage was played showing him wearing a fluorescent yellow T-shirt and sunglasses in a “large and aggressive mob” on July 30.

Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You were one of those who was chanting ‘who the f*** is Allah’, with your left arm and fist raised as you chanted and gesticulated in rhythm. You were then part of the mob who surged forward at the police line. Then you picked up part of a brick, threw it at police, then picked up a second missile even before the first had landed.”

Peter White, defending, said Callaghan had put his business, through which he employed three people, and the mortgaged home he shared with his partner and nine-month-old daughter at risk. He said Callaghan had travelled to Southport, about 25 miles from his home, to attend a vigil for the victims of the stabbing in the town.

He did not have a reason for why he had consumed alcohol once there and said he had no racially or religiously prejudiced beliefs but had “gone along with the mob”.

James Martin, Scarborough (two years and two months)

James Martin, 18, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated harassment based on race or religion, possessing an article with the intent to cause property damage, and obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

A teenager who marched outside an Islamic centre with firelighters in his pocket while waving an England flag has been jailed for two years and two months. A court heard James Martin, 18, was “going to lose everything because of one night of stupid behaviour” on August 8 in Scarborough.

Martin was in a group of four who marched outside the Islamic centre on Roscoe Street while people were inside praying just after 10pm. York Crown Court heard he had been swearing and shouted words to the effect of “what a stupid time to pray, have they got nothing better to be doing?” and “let’s be proud of our flag”.

When he was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace, police found firelighters in his pocket. Martin, who has no previous convictions, will lose an apprenticeship in bricklaying as a result, the court heard.

Peter Lynch, Rotherham (two years and eight months)

Peter Lynch
Peter Lynch (Image: PA)

A 61-year-old grandfather who was filmed repeatedly screaming abuse at riot police who were trying to push him back from a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Peter Lynch was at the front of a mob which gathered outside the Manvers hotel on August 4, shouting “scum” and “child killers” at police, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Thursday. He was pictured holding a placard asserting the corruption of MPs, judges, the media and the police.

But body-worn camera footage was shown to the court of him screaming “you are protecting people who are killing our kids and raping them” at police with riot shields and “scum”.

Lynch – who suffers from diabetes, thyroid issues, angina and has recently had a heart attack – was then filmed repeatedly challenging officers as they tried to push him back with shields, screaming “protect my children” repeatedly and yelling: “We are on the streets now to protect our kids”.

Lynch, of Burman Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Matthew Putson, Middlesbrough (two years and eight months)

Matthew Putson, 27, was one of the “main instigators” of violence during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough, a court heard (Image: Cleveland Police)

A 27-year-old was one of the “main instigators” of violence during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough, Teesside Crown Court heard. Matthew Putson, of Palmer Street, was with a group who were making racial slurs before he kicked a police officer but he was dragged away by others before he could be arrested during trouble in the town on August 4.

With his face disguised, he was later seen to have climbed up some traffic lights before he picked up bottles, bricks and stones and threw them at police over a period of around an hour.

Putson admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 32 months, saying: “The public are rightfully outraged by this behaviour on our streets.”

Michael Campbell, Hull (one year and eight months)

Michael Campbell, 56, admitted violent disorder in Hull city centre on August 3 (Image: Humberside Police)

A grandfather was jailed for 20 months after he used a bicycle to fend off a police dog during a “hate-fuelled” riot. Michael Campbell, 56, was only in Hull city centre to buy himself a suit for a funeral when he became involved with the violence on August 3, Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court heard.

The ship loading supervisor, of Hull, used his bike as a “makeshift cordon to deflect police officers” and “fend off a police dog”, before the animal bit him on the leg, the court was told.

During the 12 hours of “mob violence”, 11 police officers were injured and huge financial damage was caused when rioters gathered outside the Royal Hotel, Judge John Thackray KC said.

Sentencing Campbell, the judge described him as a “family man” whose behaviour had been “out of character”.

Luke and Paul Sissons, Rotherham (three years)

Paul Sissons
Paul Sissons was part of a group that violently rocked a police van (Image: PA)

Two brothers who were at the forefront of rioting outside a Rotherham hotel housing more than 200 asylum seekers have each been jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court. Luke and Paul Sissons were involved in a range of violent incidents at the Holiday Inn Express on August 4, including an attack on a police dog van and violent confrontations with riot officers.

Paul Sissons – who is a tunnelling team leader on the HS2 project – was filmed over a period of nearly four hours, first in a mob shouting at police and chanting “Tommy Robinson”. Sissons, of Two Gates Way, Barnsley, was then captured as part of a group that violently rocked a police van with officers and a dog inside, and was later seen throwing missiles at a group of cornered officers.

Body-worn camera footage was also shown to the court on Friday of the 37-year-old angrily kicking and pushing at riot shields as officers tried to push the crowd back.

Luke Sissons
Luke Sissons has been jailed for three years alongside his brother (Image: PA)

His brother Luke Sissons, 34, of The Green View, Shafton, Barnsley, was also part of the mob rocking the van and footage was shown of him at the front of group goading officers with riot shields who were pinned against the hotel wall.

Daniel Mennell, Jackie Miller and Jarrod Farrah, Hull (up to two years and three months)

(Left to right) Daniel Mennell, Jackie Miller and Jarrod Farrah took part in disorder in Hull (Image: Humberside Police)

Three people who took part in disorder in Hull earlier this month have been jailed.

Daniel Mennell, 36, was handed a 27-month jail term at Kingston-Upon-Hull Crown Court after he threw missiles at police. He was also seen taking a selfie with a stolen police riot shield during the violence on August 3.

The drunk labourer, who was prominent at the front of the riot, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

“Hostile” Jackie Miller, 57, was jailed for eight months for a racially aggravated public order offence after she unleashed a “diatribe towards police officers”. In the presence of her 15-year-old daughter, Miller told officers: “A P*** lad killed two, three girls and yet you’re having a go at us. They don’t look after their own.”

Judge John Thackray KC told Miller she had used “truly disgraceful words”.

Jarrod Farrah, 32, was jailed for two years and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for violent disorder after he behaved aggressively towards police by “lunging” at them. He told his family in the public gallery “love you all” as he was led out of the dock to start his sentence.

Judge Thackray said it had been “depressing and horrifying” to watch footage of the disorder.

Rory Allington-Mott, Southport (three years and three months)

Rory Allington-Mott
Rory Allington-Mott, 34, smiled as he took part in the unrest in Southport (Image: PA)

A man who threw objects including bricks and a wheelie bin at police during disorder has been jailed for three years and three months. Rory Allington-Mott, 34, of Newport in Shropshire, was shown in footage released by police appearing to smile as he took part in the unrest in Southport on July 30.

He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to violent disorder, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. In the video, he was seen to throw bricks, a wheelie bin, a plastic box and what appeared to be a picture frame towards police vans and officers.

A hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this week was told Allington-Mott had been convicted in April last year of religiously or racially aggravated criminal damage and served 24 weeks after a suspended sentence was activated.

Louis McGrother, Middlesborough (one year and eight months)

Louis McGrother, 22, admitted violent disorder (Image: Cleveland Police)

A “well-balanced young man” who kicked out at a police officer and set fire to a wheelie bin during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough has been jailed for 20 months. Louis McGrother, 22, of South View Terrace, Middlesbrough, was filmed joining in attacks on police in the town on August 4, Teesside Crown Court heard.

When footage of his offending was published by the media, he handed himself in to police, bringing with him the clothes he wore that day, said Rachel Masters, prosecuting.

Joel Wootten, defending, said McGrother went along to the protest at the Cenotaph intending only to join a peaceful protest.

McGrother admitted a charge of violent disorder and Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 20 months. The judge said he had read references from his employer, partner and mother which described “a well-balanced young man who takes his family responsibilities seriously, and who has a good work ethic”.

David Hann, Sunderland (eight months)

David Hann, 58, admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence (Image: Northumbria Police)

A former member of the English Defence League (EDL) who shouted “dirty Muslims” outside a mosque, along with other abuse, during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for eight months.

David Hann, 58, of Ryhope Street South, Sunderland, admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for his part in the trouble on August 2.

Judge Paul Sloan KC, sentencing, said Hann, was present at various locations that night and was seen gesticulating towards police officers and hurling racist abuse outside a mosque.

The judge accepted the unemployed defendant had learning difficulties, suffered from depression, did not have contact with his children and was no longer a member of the EDL. But Hann continued to hold racist and Islamophobic views, the judge said.

Jack Fowler, Sunderland (two years)

Jack Fowler, 24, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Northumbria Police)

A man holding a flag of St George who confronted police during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for two years. Jack Fowler, 24, of Northbourne Street, Newcastle, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for his part in the trouble on August 2.

Judge Paul Sloan KC, sentencing, said Fowler, who was drunk and masked that night, was seen at one point running away when police horses were used to disperse the “mob”.

At another location, he beckoned others forward towards police lines, and soon after beer kegs were thrown at officers, the judge said. The court heard that Fowler said: “This is going to be all summer, everywhere.”

The judge sentenced the unemployed defendant to two years in jail, having heard he was in a relationship and has a baby daughter.



Manchester Evening News

Judge John Edwards said David Jordan was ‘front and centre’ of the protest in Tamworth.

A father-of-four has been jailed for 28 months after throwing a missile and shouting racist remarks towards a hotel housing migrants.

David Jordan, 59, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday for his behaviour during a protest outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth on August 4.

Jordan, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, could be seen in video footage throwing a missile in the direction of the hotel, which he claims was an apple core, shouting “f****** paedos” towards the hotel and telling police officers to “f*** off”.

The defendant, of Tamworth Road in Tamworth, also messaged a contact on Facebook on August 5 asking them to spread the word that some migrants had been moved to a different hotel.

Prosecution barrister Fiona Cortese told the court that during a police interview, Jordan said he had not planned to attend the protest and that he was an “angry old man shouting his mouth off” and “acting like a complete twat”.

Defending Jordan, Harinderpal Singh Dhami said: “As far as the harm is concerned, I imagine the fear the people in the hotel felt, the police, and the community as a whole watching on the TV.

“He now accepts fully the way he conducted himself was far from a peaceful protest.”

Sentencing Jordan, Judge John Edwards said: “You rightly hung your head in shame as we watched the video.

“I have looked with care at the footage, you are front and centre of this baying mob for an hour-and-a-half.”

Evening Standard

English Defence League supporters became involved in ‘grotesque violence’ as they tried to get into a pub on their way back from a rally, a court heard.

The clash between EDL supporters from Rugeley and Tamworth and drinkers at the pub in Nuneaton led to six men being sentenced at Warwick Crown Court for their parts in the disorder.

But because of the long delay in the police getting the case to court following the incident in February 2011, all six were handed suspended prison sentences.

Christopher Tully, John Horton, Neil Grant and Daniel Edkins were all sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Tully, 26, of Cadogan Road, Dosthill, Tamworth, was also ordered to do 130 hours of unpaid work and to pay £300 costs.

Horton, 44, of Johnson Close, Rugeley, whose health problems make him unfit for unpaid work, was made subject to a 4pm to 3am electronically-tagged curfew for three months.

Grant, 45, of Stoneleigh Court, Coton Road, Nuneaton, was ordered to do 120 hours work and pay £300 costs, and Edkins, 31, of Marston Lane, Nuneaton, to do 110 hours and to pay £100 costs.

Stephen Ginnelly, 52, of Franklin Court, Nuneaton, who had also admitted violent disorder, and Douglas Tully, 25, of Cadogan Road, Dosthill, who had pleaded guilty to affray, were both sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months. They were both ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work, with Ginnelly having to pay £100 costs and Douglas Tully £200.

A seventh man, Ross Gilbert, 27, of William Morris Close, Rugeley, who had admitted violent disorder, failed to turn up at the court, and his case was adjourned.

Prosecutor Jason Pegg said: “The disorder involved two groups. Both Tullys, together with Horton and Gilbert were part of the EDL group; and the second group was the other three defendants who were enjoying an evening in a pub in Nuneaton, the George Eliot in Bridge Street.

“The EDL group had been to Luton to an EDL demonstration. They got off the train and went into Nuneaton town centre. They bought some fish and chips and made their way to the George.”

CCTV coverage showed that on the way Christopher Tully put on gloves and a ski mask with the cross of St George on it.

When they reached the George Eliot at about 7.15pm people at the pub stood in the doorway to prevent them getting in.

Sentencing the men, Judge Griffith-Jones told them: “I don’t know if any of you thought you were being hard or impressive, you just looked truly pathetic.

“But the most important point in mitigation in this case is the fact that we are now in September 2014, and these events took place in February 2011.

“If I had been dealing with the case in any sort of reasonable period of time, it would have been my duty to set a sentence which would act as a deterrence to drunken thugs fighting in this way – but after three-and-a-half years such a sentence would not be just.”

Express & Star

A TEENAGER from the Tamworth area with an “unhealthy interest” in explosives and fascist politics has appeared in court alongside a man from Amington, to face charges relating to making potentially-lethal weapons.

The court heard that police found a pipe packed with nails and screws and charged with gunpowder, in the bedroom of the 16-year-old.

He had made the explosive device with chemicals bought off the Internet.

The youngster also had right wing literature from the BNP and the English Defence League, together with Nazi emblems – one of them in the middle of his bed.

His family home was immediately evacuated while explosives and firearms experts were called in to search the property.

As the search entered its third day, another explosive device was reported hidden under a waste oil tank at Tomson’s Garage in Glascote Road.

Mr Malcolm Morse, prosecuting, said the device had the appearance of a home-made sawn-off shotgun.

In one of the “barrels” was a firework with the fuse extending out of it.

The device was taken to Sutton Coldfield police station, which later had to be evacuated while experts assessed how dangerous it was.

Some tape holding the barrels together had human hair and fingerprints which belonged to a co-accused, 27-year-old Jonathan Cunningham, of Greenheart, Amington, who was also arrested.

Cunningham said he had put the device under the oil tank to hide it from the police.

He also tried to take the blame for making it, saying he wanted to show the boy how to do it, but Mr Morse told Stafford Crown Court the prosecution did not accept that.

“[The boy] was perfectly capable of making devices of this kind with no assistance.”

In court, Mr Morse said the teen had been asked specifically about the right-wing political literature by concerned officers.

“He denied any specific interest in right-wing politics, and he expressed a general interest in the acquisition of pyrotechnic knowledge.

“He denied supporting the views of either the BNP or the English Defence League, that was his explanation.

“It is to an extent contradicted by some evidence from a lecturer at the college where he studies.

“Her recollection is he was outspoken among his peers in support of such views.

“It is the case that while material of this nature was found, material of a contrary view was not.

“The prosecution, in drawing attention to this literature, is making no comment on its content.

“I am merely indicating the presence of it, together with the ingredients and the skill for making explosives,” Mr Morse told Judge John Wait.

He said the mother of one of the boy’s friends had also handed in a video clip from a mobile phone camera showing an explosive device being detonated in a tree.

The clip was labelled with the teenage defendant’s name and the word “bomb”.

A police search of the 16-year-old’s family home on January 30 this year, was triggered by an eBay seller who was concerned about commodities being ordered.

The boy used his mother’s eBay account to buy the chemicals he used to make the gunpowder.

The device loaded with nails and found in the bedroom was examined by the Defence Laboratory and ruled to be capable of dealing a “lethal shot”.

Mr Morse said Internet conversations from a chat room dedicated to explosives and firearms had been found on a computer in the house.

The boy’s username was “Eng-Terrorman”.

He also had access to a Russian film which shows the process of making a gun.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted possessing a firearm without a certificate – the only charge that could be applied to the device found in his bedroom, according to Mr Morse.

The boy also admits having an explosive substance and making an explosive substance.

Judge Wait made the boy subject to a three-year controlling order for public safety, with a three-month curfew, a ban on having any explosive material and the recording of any Internet use.

He told the boy: “Anyone who makes such explosives, that in the wrong hands could be used to kill or maim, is committing a very serious offence and putting the public at risk.”

The judge said the boy could have put everyone in danger by being used and abused by extreme political organisations.

He added: “That a 14 to 15-year-old boy should be permitted to carry on such activities under the gaze of caring parents is hard to believe.

“The parents saw substantial quantities of material coming in to the house and saw no danger.

“They saw material relating to extreme politics and saw no danger in that.”

Co-accused Cunningham, who admitted making an explosive substance and perverting the course of justice, was jailed for 12 months.

Mr Darron Whitehead, for the boy, said: “It would be very easy to simply infer that this young man is a terrorist with hidden agendas. They don’t exist in this case.

“There was never at any time, any positive intention to make any aggressive use of the items strewn about his bedroom.

“There is nothing in this case to suggest there was any intention to cause harm to human life.”

But Judge Wait responded: “This is a young man who has developed an expertise, who has broadcast it over the Internet, thereby exposing himself and the rest of us to people who would want to cause us serious harm.”

Mr Whitehead said the boy’s interests in fireworks began as “idle curiosity” and developed into a hobby.

“He plainly has an interest in pyrotechnics. It will no doubt be reported that he developed an unhealthy interest in weaponry.

“The scene met by the police demonstrates that all who visited that house were aware of activities going on inside.

“The youth report makes criticism not only of the boy but also of his parents.

“They are good, hardworking individuals. It appears they not only knew what the boy was doing, they allowed him to have them and indeed involved themselves at stages.

“The garden was littered with fireworks made and ignited over time.

“The neighbours were well aware of the activities and not intimidated by it.”

This is Tamworth