A man has admitted rioting during a night of violence and attacks on police.
Liam Doeg was part of a mob in Sunderland that wreaked havoc on 2 August after an anti-immigration protest turned violent.
The 33-year-old, of Poplar House, previously admitted violent disorder and burglary but, appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, he pleaded guilty to the more serious offence of rioting.
He was remanded into custody at HMP Durham to be sentenced on 4 November.
Three men have been jailed after being part of the large-scale scenes of deplorable violence at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Manvers, Rotherham, on Sunday 4 August.
Gareth Lunn will have time to reflect on his abhorrent behaviour after he was jailed for violent disorder. Lunn, of Billingley View, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Barnsley, was captured on body-worn video swinging a bin at an officer, before picking up missiles and tossing them at the police cordon.
The 41-year-old’s despicable actions didn’t stop there as he was recorded in a group damaging windows at the front of the hotel, as well as seen throwing a shopping trolley at officers.
Lunn pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on 28 August. Yesterday (21 October) at Sheffield Crown Court, he was jailed for three years.
Michael Woods was recorded on body-worn video hurling abuse at officers, threatening that a nearby dog would ‘get’ an officer. The 64-year-old was seen aggressively shouting in officers’ faces.
Woods, of Ainsdale Avenue, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, handed himself into a police station after an image of him at the disorder was circulated in a media appeal. Remorseless, Woods denied any wrongdoing and when charged with violent disorder he retorted ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.
Despite his refusal to accept he had done anything wrong, Woods pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 19 August. He was jailed for two years.
Also present at the disorder was 24-year-old Scott Kendall who was seen launching missiles towards the lines of officers protecting the hotel and its occupants.
Kendall, of Sandymount Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, was identified after multiple members of the public recognised him in a police media appeal.
When questioned by officers, Kendall answered no comment. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 24 August. Appearing on the same day at the same court as Lunn, Kendall was sentenced to two years in prison.
A man has been jailed for his role in the “disgraceful” disorder in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings.
A group of nearly 1,000 people were involved in unrest in Blackpool on 3 August, Lancashire Police said, with reports of widespread looting in Houndshill Shopping Centre.
Shane Taaffe Rhodes, of Lindale Gardens, Blackpool, was involved in disorder on the Promenade and later joined in an attack on JD Sports in the shopping centre, police said.
The 20-year-old, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing, was jailed at Preston Crown Court for 27 months.
Taaffe Rhodes was seen attempting to conceal his identity during the disorder by putting a face covering over the lower part of his face, police said.
Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davies said: “Taaffe Rhodes chose to play a part in the disgraceful scenes in Blackpool, and I welcome the custodial sentence passed on him.
“Violent disorder will not be tolerated in our county and we will bring those who take part in it to justice.
“Several people have been sent to prison for the disorder in Blackpool on 3 August, and more will be brought before the courts in the coming weeks and months.”
A 21-year-old woman, who assaulted a police officer during disorder in Southport earlier this year, has been spared a jail sentence due to “exceptional mitigation”.
Ellie Clarke cried as she was given a 20-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, for her part in a riot which erupted outside a mosque in Southport on 30 July.
Disorder broke out in the Merseyside seaside town a day after three girls were killed, and 10 more injured, in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.
Large crowds fought with police officers outside a mosque in Southport, with additional damage and disorder taking place in Liverpool and across the country.
Speaking on Tuesday, Andrew Menary KC, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, told Liverpool Crown Court Clarke had already paid a “significant price” for what she did that night, having been remanded in custody for seven weeks.
He said: “The footage shows you, for a time, standing amongst the crowd of people behaving like animals, shouting vile abuse at police officers and directing appalling racist chants at the nearby mosque.
“You understand how seriously your behaviour is to be regarded, as do others who have been dealt with by this court”.
Rehabilitation
Clarke pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court to violent disorder, assaulting an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public disorder offence.
She was seen to strike an officer’s riot shield, an earlier hearing was told.
Daniel Travers, defending, said a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report had been prepared, and Clarke had written a letter to the judge which showed “genuine remorse”.
He said: “Clearly, this is a young lady who has, on numerous occasions in her relatively short life, suffered traumatic events, and has clearly got a number of issues that she needs to resolve.”
The defendant, wearing a pink cardigan, wiped her eyes with a tissue after she was sentenced.
Judge Menary said the court had dealt with about 70 people involved in the disorder this summer, and only one other defendant had not been given an immediate prison sentence.
He said the reports had led him to make an exception in Clarke’s case.
But he added: “This case must not be reported as simply you being a female and not going to prison.
“I promise you this, you would have gone to prison but for the very substantial personal mitigation available to you.
“It is only because of the exceptional mitigation that is present in this case.”
Clarke, of Chestnut Street, Southport, was ordered to carry out 40 days of rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.
A string of men and boys have been hauled to Manchester Magistrates’ Court this week, with 16 so far admitting their crimes following the ugly scenes in Manchester city centre; disorder outside a hotel in Newton Heath; and trouble in Bolton. More defendants appeared before District Judge Lucy Hogarth today.
Two more thugs have admitted their involvement in a sickening mob attack on a black man during violent scenes in Piccadilly Gardens after ‘protesters’ flooded into Manchester city centre. A teenager has also pleaded guilty to violent disorder having being accused of confronting cops trying to control crowds, breaking through a barrier and snatching beer from someone leaving a Sainsbury’s store.
There was large-scale disruption in the city centre last Saturday (August 3) following a demonstration dubbed ‘Enough is Enough’. Counter-protesters also gathered as tensions flared.
A string of men and boys have been hauled to Manchester Magistrates’ Court this week, with 16 so far admitting their crimes following the ugly scenes in the city centre; disorder outside a hotel in Newton Heath; and trouble in Bolton. More defendants appeared before District Judge Lucy Hogarth today (Saturday, August 10).
Two men – Kane Kelly, 23, of Woodford Road, Failsworth, Oldham; and Daniel Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire – will be behind bars tonight having been remanded into custody after admitting their guilt in relation to the attack on a lone black man in Piccadilly Gardens by dozens of thugs.
Earlier this week, other men admitted their role in the sickening assault – including Liam Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Bradford; Joseph Ley, 30, of Hollywood Towers, Stockport; Colin Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight, Manchester; and Anthony Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton, Tameside.
As Kelly and Hanslip appeared in court, prosecutor Karen Saffman said members of the mob shouted ‘kill him’ and ‘stamp on his f*****g face’. District Judge Hogarth described the incident as a ‘racially aggravated assault’.
Ms Saffman described the violent scenes, which were caught on camera, saying: “It’s a group assault on a lone, black male. The group is heard saying, ‘kill him… stamp on his f*****g face’. The male is then dragged away and then falls to the ground.”
The court heard Hanslip was seen throwing security fencing before joining a ‘melee’ alongside Kelly. Kelly appeared to join the ‘group assault’, the court heard. Ms Saffman said the two men were identified in footage from the incident, some of which has been published on YouTube. She described the clip as ‘disturbing’.
Both men will be sentenced at the Crown court on August 16. Addressing Kelly, District Judge Hogarth said: “This is a racially aggravated group assault in broad daylight in full view of the police and it’s well out of the sentencing powers of this court.”
No application for bail was made for Kelly, who has no previous convictions. His family members were in the courtroom when the judge ruled he would be remanded into custody.
Hanslip was also remanded into custody after his application for bail was rejected. Michelle Man, defending, told the court he has no previous convictions, has a well-paid job and lives with his partner, who was in court and was due to go on holiday with him this week.
Teenager Aaron Davy pleaded guilty for his part in the violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens. The 18-year-old’s birthday was days ater the incident on Saturday (August 3), which he was accused of being ‘heavily involved’ in.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard Davy, of Liney Road, Cheadle, Stockport, was part of a large, chanting group who confronted police. Davy, who was wearing a mask, was pushed back from the police line and later broke through a metal barrier to get closer to counter-protesters.
He was then seen with a man snatching a pack of beer from someone leaving a nearby branch of Sainsbury’s. Karen Saffman, prosecuting, told the court, adding: “He was an active part on this day. He wasn’t just a by-stander – he wasn’t just observing.”
Davy was granted bail after the court heard he tried to kill himself last year. Claire Parrott, defending, said: “In reality this is a very, very frightened young man.” Ms Parrott told the court Davy’s family, who were watching the hearing from the public gallery, were concerned about an older ‘friend’ who took the teenager out that day, but said that the teenager went there ‘on his own volition’ and realises the ‘enormity of the situation’.
She added: “He states that he would never put himself in this situation again.” DJ Hogarth granted bail with conditions that require him to live and sleep at his home address with an electronic tag, ensuring he remains indoors between 7pm and 7am.
Davy must also not gather in a group of more than two without an adult family member there. The judge warned Davy he may be arrested if he breaches any of these conditions and put in a cell overnight. She also told the teenager that he may receive a custodial sentence.
Explaining her decision to grant bail to Davy, DJ Hogarth said: “What I’m about to say now makes no promises about how the Crown Court deals with you. This is very serious conduct that has made communities feel frightened and has made the police’s job more difficult.”
Davy will be sentenced by the Crown Court on Friday, August 16.
On Saturday, a 13-year-old boy was the latest child to appear before DJ Hogarth. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was caught throwing missiles at police outside the hotel – thought to be housing asylum seekers – in Newton Heath. His mum watched from the public gallery.
The court heard he was ‘caught up’ in the violent scenes as the ‘hostile’ and ‘aggressive’ crowd gathered on July 31. The crowd threw glass bottles, bricks and eggs at cops.
Prosecuting, Karen Saffman said: “[The boy] was seen throwing missiles at police and the hostel. He was also seen with a group of youths hitting and kicking a bus with the bus driver and members of the public on that bus.”
Ms Saffman read a statement written by a bus driver who was attacked by the mob. He wrote: “The incident has left me very stressed. It’s made me scared to deal with members of the public because I would never have expected to experience this when I started my shift at the beginning of the day.”
DJ Hogarth told the boy she would adjourn the case and request a report from the youth offending service. He was granted bail with conditions that he lives and sleeps at his home address every night; does leave the property between 7pm and 7am; and does not meet in groups of more than two people without an adult family member present.
Addressing the defendant, DJ Hogarth said: “Very serious things have been happening around you and you joined in. We need to look at how serious that was and what we’re going to do about it.”
The case was adjourned until a hearing on September 17. The boy’s mum was heard saying: “Thank you, thank you so much.”
Others to appear in court on Saturday were:
Anthony Whitelegg, 40, of Mulberry Close, Heald Green, Stockport: Charged with violent disorder in relation to the Piccadilly Gardens incident on August 3. No plea indicated. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 16
Darren Butler, 41, of Cattlin Way, Oldham: Charged with violent disorder following the incident in Newton Heath on July 31. No plea indicated. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 13
David Whittaker, 36, of Farnborough Road, Miles Platting, Manchester: Charged with violent disorder in relation to the Newton Heath incident on July 31. Not guilty plea. Remanded into custody ahead of Crown Court hearing on September 13
Colin Brown, 37, of Moorcroft Road, Manchester: Charged with violent disorder in relation to Piccadilly Gardens disorder; and robbery. He is alleged to have stolen a woman’s scarf. No pleas entered. Remanded into custody head of Crown court hearing on September 13
A man who threatened to use a dog to attack police officers outside a South Yorkshire hotel during rioting has been jailed for two years.
Large-scale disorder saw more than 60 police officers left injured when the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, was attacked on 4 August.
Michael Woods, 64, was captured on body-worn video telling police the animal would “get you” if the officers hit him with their batons, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Woods, of Ainsdale Avenue, Goldthorpe, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder.
During a short video played to the court, Woods is seen shouting at officers while standing next to a man with a dog.
The officers are standing in front of the hotel during the footage, with some of the building’s windows pictured broken.
More than 200 asylum seekers and about 25 members of staff were inside the hotel at the time.
“Police were trying to bring the increasingly hostile crowds under control,” prosecutors told the court.
During the footage, Woods tells an officer: “I live here mate, go back to where you’ve come from.
“We live here, have some respect for English people young man, you are a disgrace to society.”
“You hit me, it gets you,” he adds, referring to the dog.
There was no physical violence from the defendant, his defence barrister told the hearing.
Addressing Woods, The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said: “I cannot ignore the fact you were part of the larger group indulging in this major civil disorder.”
“It was ignorant – it was not only offensive, it was also threatening in the midst of major public disorder.”
A second man, 24-year-old Scott Kendall, was also sentenced to two years in prison after admitting violent disorder.
The father-of-one, of Sandymount Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, was filmed throwing a bottle towards police officers while they protected themselves with riot shields.
References sent to the court from his employer described him as a “much liked” member of a plastering company, the court heard.
The judge asked Kendall’s barrister: “What on Earth is a young man like this doing?”
“He’s thrown away his good character,” the barrister replied.
Addressing Kendall, the judge added: “What a dreadful example you are to [his son].”
A man has been jailed for violent disorder during a riot over the summer.
Alfie Holdsworth, 20, from Gateshead, was sentenced to 14 months in prison at Teesside Crown Court.
Cleveland Police said he had been seen kicking a lone victim twice while he was on the ground, during a night of disorder in Middlesbrough on 4 August.
The unrest had spread from an afternoon protest at the town’s cenotaph, and was described by officers at the time as “staggering”.
Large scale disorder broke out across the country after three young children were killed in Southport
They were days that will live in infamy in Greater Manchester’s history. Division and chaos reigned.
The deaths of three young girls in Southport led to a wave of disorder throughout the UK, and Manchester did not avoid such trouble. Wholly inaccurate claims about the identity and ethnicity of the alleged attacker spread online.
Fuelled by anger and inspired by disinformation, thugs took to the streets intent on causing trouble. Disorder erupted outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Newton Heath, on July 31, after a Facebook post swirled that afternoon.
“Let’s get them out,” it menacingly declared. Missiles were thrown towards the building, a bus was attacked and its driver injured, and asylum seekers, vulnerable individuals seeking help, were terrorised.
The far-right sought to capitalise on the division and called a demonstration for Manchester city centre on Saturday, August 3. The incident soon turned violent. Shocking video footage emerged of a lone black man being attacked by a baying mob.
Thugs then advanced down Mosley Street and stormed a Sainsbury’s store as innocent customers tried to shop. A vape store came under heavy attack, as yobs kicked its windows with a road sign being launched at it.
The following day, the trouble moved to Bolton. Another demonstration had been called by the far-right, with counter-protestors also present. Missiles were thrown as police dealt with mass disorder. Ever since, police have been tracking down and charging rioters.
Over the past three months, dozens of yobs have felt the full force of the law as their cases were speedily brought through the courts. The M.E.N. has extensively covered the ensuing court cases, and have now analysed the sentences handed down since August.
Of those in the dock, 39 were men, six were women and seven were children, the youngest being a 12-year-old boy. Jail sentences totalling more than 80 years have been handed down. The longest single jail sentence was imposed on a ‘violent racist’ for his part in a disgraceful attack in Piccadilly Gardens.
In chronological order from August until this month, here are the 52 rioters who faced justice.
Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two months in prison on August 6 and ordered to pay £4,999 compensation at Manchester Magistrates Court.
Edge, 34, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 12 months in prison on August 13 at Bolton Crown Court.
Smith, 21, of Keynsham Road, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and 10 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.
Ley, 30, of Hardman Street, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years and two months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.
Chapman, 23, of Duke Street, Radcliffe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months on August 15 at Manchester Crown Court.
Hanslip, 33, of Central Avenue, Shipley, West Yorkshire. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and two months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.
Demulder, 36, of Birch Lane, Longsight. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and eight months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.
Kelly, 24, of Woodford Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and five months on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.
Livesey, 31, of Moorfield Avenue, Denton. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and breaching a suspended sentence. Sentenced to four years and two months, comprising of 32 months for the violent disorder, and a further 18 months for being in breach of a suspended sentence, on August 16 at Manchester Crown Court.
Parker, 26, of Douglas Street, Salford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 19 at Manchester Crown Court.
Ward, 35, of Colliery Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and exposure. Sentenced to 32 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.
Brookes, 42, of Frogmore Avenue, Hyde, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on August 20 at Manchester Crown Court.
Freeman, 25, of Timson Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court
Gilchrest, 52, of North Road, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to three years in prison on August 21 at Manchester Crown Court.
Upton, 54, of Bailey Lane, Wythenshawe. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison on August 22 at Manchester Crown Court.
Ryan, 55, of Collin Avenue, Gorton, Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.
Bridgeford, 50, of Canon Street, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on August 27 at Manchester Crown Court.
Charnock, 31, of Edward Street, Farnworth, Bolton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 26 months in prison on August 27 at Bolton Crown Court.
Whitworth, 30, of Costabeck Walk, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on August 28 at Manchester Crown Court.
Simpson, 57, of Deerfold, Chorley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on August 28 at Bolton Crown Court.
Mott, 28, of Barton Close, Eccles, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft from a shop and criminal damage. Sentenced to 18 months in prison on September 1 at Manchester Crown Court.
Potter, 39, of Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two years and two months in prison on September 4 at Bolton Crown Court.
Chadwick, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft and violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to one year and six months in prison on September 4 at Manchester Crown Court.
McGlade, 24, of Oldham Street, Manchester. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, theft and criminal damage. Sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on September 10 at Manchester Crown Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and obstructing a police constable. Sentenced to a ten month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and assaulting an emergency worker. Sentenced to a 12 month referral order on September 10 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder at Newton Heath on July 31 and Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. Sentenced to an 18 month referral order on September 11 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
Phillips, 28, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.
Green, 41, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on September 12 at Manchester Crown Court.
Grange, 20, of Elysian Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31 and possession of a class B drug. Sentenced to two and a half years in prison on September 14 at Manchester Crown Court.
Pearson, 53, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.
Jibson, 45, of Kingsbridge Road, Harpurhey. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 16 at Manchester Crown Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month referral order on September 17 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
Leckey, 24, of Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.
Butler, 42, of Cattlin Way, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison on September 19 at Manchester Crown Court.
The boy pleaded guilty to criminal damage and violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to a 12 month intensive youth rehabilitation order on September 19 at Manchester Magistrates Court.
Ryan, 28, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 28 months in prison on September 20 at Manchester Crown Court.
Smith, 21, of West Street, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 12 month community order on September 23 at Manchester Crown Court.
Sadiq, 21, of Bentinck Street, Farnworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on September 25 at Bolton Crown Court.
Richard, 56, of Kingsland Close, Miles Platting. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 20 months in prison on September 25 at Manchester Crown Court.
Smith, 42, of Farnborough Road, Failsworth. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 18 month community order on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.
Keenan, 50, of Glen Grove, Middleton. Pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months on September 26 at Manchester Crown Court.
Miller, 38, Kennington Avenue, Newton Heath. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 15 months in prison on September 27 at Manchester Crown Court.
Holt, 42, of Oak Road, Stockport. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on October 3 at Manchester Crown Court.
Whitelegg, 40, of no fixed address. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.
Davy, 18, of Liney Road, Cheadle. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.
Burgess, 20, of Regent Square, Salford. Pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3. Sentenced to 16 months in prison on October 4 at Manchester Crown Court.
Dunkerley, 37, of Marlborough Drive, Failsworth, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 25 months in prison on October 7 at Manchester Crown Court.
Johnson, 33, of Criterion Street, Stockport, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred in Stockport on August 5. Sentenced to two years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court on October 10.
Waugh, 19, of Risbury Walk, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Newton Heath on July 31. Sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months at Manchester Crown Court on October 15.
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She turned up to a riot wearing a yellow dress and holding a box of eggs – then ended up in court
Manchester Evening News
Steven Miller was one of the latest rioters to face justice
A rioter who launched vile abuse outside a hotel housing asylum seekers was told he displayed an ‘‘extraordinary level of ignorance’.
Steven Miller launched into a tirade aimed at an asylum seeker being escorted into the building, as well as a police officer. He was one of up to 70 people who attended the protest outside the hotel on Oldham Road in Newton Heath, after false information was posted online about the alleged perpetrator of the killing of three girls in Southport.
The disorder in north Manchester came after a Facebook post which read: “Let’s get them out. “6pm today. Stand up and take note, because if you don’t, no-one will.”
Police attended on July 31 as thugs launched missiles towards the building and officers, including bricks and bottles. A bus came under attack and the driver was injured. Others including 38-year-old Miller launched vile verbal abuse.
In footage played to the court, Miller could be heard calling an asylum seeker a ‘nonce’ and asked ‘why are you here?’ In another video, which police discovered on his mobile phone, Miller had filmed officers who were trying to move the mob away from Oldham Road.
Miller, of Devon Street, Farnworth, could be heard saying: “We’re peaceful. We’re protecting our kids, that’s all we’re doing, from these vile people.
“Take your uniform off and stand with us brother. What about your kids bruv?”
Sentencing, Judge Patrick Field KC told Miller that the asylum seekers were ‘vulnerable people’ who ‘probably deserved a bit of empathy from you rather than vile abuse’.
“The words you used not only displayed your own lack of tolerance, but an extraordinary level of ignorance too,” he said. Miller was jailed for 15 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
His barrister claimed Miller had been ‘failed rather spectacularly by the state’ while in care as a child, and said he had suffered mental health issues. Sarah Magill said Miller has a six-month-old baby, and that his partner is without him following his ‘incredibly stupid’ actions.
Two others who attended the protest were sentenced in separate hearings on Friday. The judge said that Conor Grange, 30, behaved ‘aggressively’ and his presence provided ‘encouragement’ to others. His barrister David Toal said Grange, of Church Street, Failsworth has a job and a family, and added that his month-long spell in prison on remand had provided a ‘short, sharp shock’.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Regan Goodwin was seen picking up a brick, but he did not launch it and instead threw it to the ground.
The judge said he was an ‘active participant’ and at one stage appeared ‘rather pleased with yourself’. “One suspects you are not in quite such a self congratulatory mood now,” the judge added. His barrister Rob Kearney said Goodwin has a job and a young child with his partner.
“His mother and his partner don’t share the defendant’s sentiments, and have a particular view about his behaviour that day,” Mr Kearney said. Goodwin, 24, of Kennington Avenue, Newton Heath, was jailed for 12 months. Goodwin and Grange both pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Ryan Leckey, 24, was jailed after pleading guilty to violent disorder
A balaclava-wearing thug who carried a box of beers to a large-scale disturbance outside a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers has been jailed.
Ryan Leckey, 24, joined a mass demonstration outside the hotel on Oldham Road, in Newton Heath, on July 31 this year. He was seen to throw a missile towards the hotel whilst others hurled abuse at the occupants and the police.
Afterwards, he went to celebrate in a pub nearby before he was caught on CCTV taking his balaclava off, Manchester Crown Court heard.
At the same incident, 42-year-old Darren Butler threatened one officer that he would ‘kick your f***ing head’ in before shouting: “They are protecting nonce’s.”
Both were jailed today, September 18, after admitting violent disorder. Disorder spread across the country last month after misinformation spouted online about the killing of three children in Southport.
Prosecuting, Kate Gaskell said police were deployed to the hotel after reporting of a large crowd forming. Racist abuse was hurled as missiles, including eggs, bottles and bricks, were thrown, she said.
Leckey, of Newton Heath, was caught on bodycam walking down the road carrying a large box of beer over his shoulder.
“He was seen picking something up and throwing it, directing it towards the hotel,” Ms Gaskell said. “He was then seen to move off to a local pub and celebrated his actions before taking off his balaclava.”
Mitigating for Leckey, who had no previous convictions, Rebecca Filletti said her client was ‘extremely sorry’.
“He is sorry to the people there, sorry to the victims of this, sorry to the police and sorry to his family,” she said. “He has asked me to tell the court he is ashamed of his behaviour that day and said his family have worked too hard to see him in this situation.”
The court heard that Leckey’s parents were on holiday at the time but had previously expressed concern about his peers. The business owner, who runs his own shoe cobbling company, said he joined a group of friends during the incident.
Butler, of Oldham, was captured on the footage approaching officers who were trying to move the crowd away, with a number of others.
“He could be heard to shout: “I will kick your f***ing head in”. He also shouted: “They are protecting nonce’s”, the prosecutor added.
After the footage of the incident was played to the court, Butler, who appeared over videolink from HMP Dovegate, said: “I am disgusted with myself.” When he was arrested he told officers that he was an ‘idiot’ for going to the riot.
Joshua Bowker, representing Butler, said his client was there for a short period of time and did not take any weapons or throw any missiles. “His involvement is the words said and his demeanour,” the barrister added.
“He suggests he attended out of intrigue and is very regretful.” He said that Butler, who has 25 previous convictions for 52 offences, was last before the courts in 2018.
Sentencing them, Judge Alan Conrad KC said that following the disorder against innocent people: “The courts must make clear, and will keep making clear, that for this sort of behaviour in a civil society, only serious punishment will follow. Deterrent sentences are necessary.”
Leckey, of Lightbowne Road, Newton Heath, was jailed for 16 months. Butler, of Cattlin Way, Oldham, was jailed for 17 months. Both will serve half of their terms in prison before being released on licence.
Far-Right Criminals 