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Yob who travelled to Manchester to ‘join in’ with riots moaned jail was ‘frightening’

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September 20, 2024
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Liam Ryan, 28, claimed that he wanted to ‘support the families of the Southport attack’

A yob who travelled from West Yorkshire to Manchester to ‘join in’ with the riots has been jailed.

Liam Ryan, 28, was one of a large group of men who attacked a lone black male in Piccadilly Gardens on July 31. The incident was filmed and posted on social media.

In the footage Ryan was wearing a bright yellow coat with his hood up to conceal his identity. He was seen to punch the man twice as others shouted: “Kill him… fill him in… stamp on his f***ing face.”

The attack, which prosecutors claimed was ‘clearly racially motivated’, took place against the background of disorder across the country after the attack in Southport which saw three children killed and others seriously injured.

Ryan, of Bradford, admitted an offence of violent disorder and was jailed for 28 months.

Rob Hall, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was seen to throw a right handed punch at the black male but missed him. He then threw a left hand and hit him, then threw another right handed punch that hit him again.”

He said he moved off after others got involved but kept his hood over his head. Mr Hall also confirmed that the black male had initially thrown a missile into the crowd that had congregated before he was attacked.

Ryan was arrested and interviewed and said he had travelled from Bradford to ‘join in with the protests’.

“He claimed he was not affiliated to the far right group,” Mr Hall continued. “He stated he had several drinks and said he did not know why he became involved in the violence.

“He confirmed he had no reason to assault the male and nobody had encouraged him to join in with the assault, that he knew what he did was wrong and offered to write a letter of apology to the victim.”

The court heard Ryan has previous convictions for criminal damage, a public order offence and had previously been handed a football banning order.

Mitigating, Damien Zelazowski said Ryan was ‘deeply remorseful’.

“He was aware there was a protest and wanted to show support for the families from Southport,” he said. “His intention was not to become involved in the violence – he simply can not explain why he got involved.”

Mr Zelazowski added that Ryan, who works as a window fitter, found the prospect of custody ‘frightening’.

Jailing Ryan, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, Judge Patrick Field KC said: “Once in Manchester you became an enthusiastic participant in hateful and loutish violence along with a group of like minded people.

“It’s concerning that’s probably what you came to Manchester for. Nothing about what occurred in Piccadilly Gardens suggests that you or others were involved in a lawful, legitimate, well-intentioned protest.”

He added that it was ‘totally unacceptable, wanton, drunken violence’ by a group ‘motivated by hatred of other groups of people.

“Your behaviour was disgraceful and shameful,” the judge concluded.

Three people jailed for disorder in Merseyside

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September 20, 2024
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Three people have been jailed for more than seven years for their roles in violent disorder in Merseyside.

The three offenders appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday 20 September, after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.
They are:

• Daniel Frazer, 24 years, of Seafield Road, New Ferry was sentenced to two years in prison for violent disorder in Liverpool

• Lloyd Killner, 35 years, of Burton Road, Lincoln, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for violent disorder in Liverpool

• Callum Savage, 24 years, of Haig Avenue, Leyland in Preston was sentenced to two years, four months for violent disorder in Southport

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “To date we have made 109 arrests, charged 68, and brought 54 people before the courts – they have been sentenced to a total of 116 years in prison.

“Our investigation into the incidents in Merseyside continues with more arrests, charges and sentences being progressed.

“We continue to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Merseyside Police

Man jailed for violent disorder in city

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September 20, 2024
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A man has been sentenced to 20 months in jail for his role in a city centre protest which turned violent.

Joseph Bradford, 20, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one offence of violent disorder after a video showed him as part of a group shouting at police and throwing a can at officers in Bristol on 3 August.

He was sentenced to 30 months detention, reduced to 20 months at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

Sentencing Bradford, Judge Hart told him: “It took little to provoke you to express unacceptable attitudes and to translate them into serious public disorder.”

The unrest occurred when protesters and counter protesters gathered near Castle Park in the city centre.

Prosecutors said Bradford took part in a planned protest in Bristol which had been advertised by a far right group.

Police tried to keep the protesters and counter protesters separate, but right wing protesters became violent, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Bradford had been at the protest in Castle Park and on the Bristol Bridge, the court heard.

He can be seen on video footage confronting police and throwing a can at them.

After police searched for him, Bradford handed himself in on 11 August.

Mr Maunder, defending, said: “It’s fair to say, he is embarrassed and ashamed.

“That is genuine and deep felt. He recognises his abject stupidity involving himself in such an ugly incident and sentiment.

“He has no political motivation or even thoughts. His grandparents were immigrants from the Caribbean.”

Judge Hart said the defendant was “”apologetic and remorseful” during police interviews.

“People who support you will be astonished to see you could behave like this. How you came to do what you did is a mystery to those who knew you. It mystifies me,” he said.

“Our law protects right of peaceful protest and won’t criminalise holding of views, it will not tolerate resort to violence and threats and disorder.”

Demonstrations took place across England after three young girls were killed in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

BBC News

Fathers who took sons to asylum hotel riot jailed

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September 19, 2024
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Two fathers who took their sons to a riot at a hotel housing asylum seekers are the latest to be jailed in connection to the disorder.

Stephen Roughley, 44, took his teenage son Kenzie to the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August, where police officers were attacked and the hotel left extensively damaged.

Mason Reddy, 24, was seen pushing a pram and carrying a boy aged around two years old in his arms while he shouted a racial slur, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Both admitted violent disorder, with Roughley jailed for two years and eight months and Reddy jailed for three years.

Roughley, of South Elmsall, Wakefield, was filmed throwing items at a police van and starting chants alongside his son, who was the first person to be jailed following the disorder.

In August, Kenzie Roughley was jailed for two years and four months after he abused officers and rocked a police van.

During Kenzie’s sentencing, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said the teenager had had a “deplorable upbringing”, with his father absent from the public gallery.

“I expect if the father attended [court] he’d be arrested,” Judge Richardson remarked at the time.

Body-worn video showed Roughley, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, pushing past his son to verbally abuse officers.

His barrister said his client was “thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed” of his behaviour.

Reddy, who was dressed in “distinctive clothing” and wearing odd shoes, also took his son to the hotel disorder, the court heard.

He went on to throw bricks and rocks at the hotel and cheered when rioters lit a fire, the sentencing heard.

In mitigation, the court heard Reddy, of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, had taken his son with him as he had intended to protest peacefully.

Also sentenced at the court was Daniel Dicks, who was pictured on the day wearing a camouflage coat and mask.

The hearing heard he told officers they were “protecting” those inside the hotel, adding, “we want them”, the court heard.

A shopping trolley was kicked towards a police van by Dicks, 33, who was then hit by the baton of a police officer.

He wrote a letter to the judge expressing remorse and pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Dicks, of Probert Avenue, Goldthorpe, was jailed for two years and eight months.

Regan Urruty Dever, 22, of Ouse Terrace, Doncaster, had “limited involvement” and attended the hotel for about 20 minutes, the court heard.

He was said to have grabbed the riot shields of officers and later expressed remorse for his actions.

Dever pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier magistrates’ court hearing and was jailed for two years.

BBC News

Baby faced thug told police he ‘ruined his whole life’

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September 19, 2024
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Jackson Hegarty was part of a mob that surrounded a police officer who was knocked off his motorbike and assaulted

A baby-faced thug told police he had “ruined his whole life because of one day” after he participated in a city centre riot.

Teenager Jackson Hegarty, identified by his distinctive yellow JD bag, went into the city centre to meet friends but ended up joining a violent mob that engaged in serious disorder by damaging vehicles and local businesses and attacking police officers.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Thursday, September 19 that the violent disorder followed the deaths of three young girls – Bebe King, Alice Da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe – who died following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift dance party on July 29. Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, told the court: “What followed was widespread violent disorder fuelled by misinformation and racial hatred”.

She said between July 30 and August 3 between 225 and 275 officers were deployed each day to three major incidents of violent disorder in Merseyside. The offending of Hegarty, 18, relates to the violent rioting seen in Liverpool’s city centre on August 3 that started at around 3pm and lasted several hours.

The court heard on the day in question the teenager had got the train into the city centre to meet friends between noon and 2pm. However, at the same time a large crowd had gathered for a march that was billed as “save our kids”. However, the protests soon turned violent with rioters clashing with police officers and ransacking businesses.

Ms Nemat told the court that Mohammed Omair, who owns the I Fix Phones Repair Centre on Church Street in the city centre, made the decision to close his shop shortly after 3pm due to concerns about the disorder. Mr Omair, who has been in the UK for 10 years, said he feared for both his and his staff’s safety after hearing chants of “you bloody Muslims”, “you f***ing p****” and “go back to your country”.

The court heard as he was closing his shop a group of around 40 people, many of them with their faces covered, grabbed the shutters and forced them open. Ms Nemat said some used metal poles to keep them open while another brandished a knife at the terrified owner.

Ms Nemat said: “The defendant is captured on CCTV approaching the shutter and kicking it before beckoning towards people. He then holds open the shutter enabling others to exit the store.” Mr Omair, his staff and three members of the public sheltered at the back of the store while the mob stole around £100,000 of his stock.

Shortly after, Hegarty engaged in further disorder on the Strand. CCTV footage played in court showed the teenager gesturing towards a line of police officers. He is said to have squirted a liquid towards the officers and thrown a number of empty drink cans. CCTV also showed him “high five” another person after they let off a smoke bomb in the direction of police.

A police officer riding a motorbike was attacked during the riot. The officer, who has been named as PC Cumberlidge in previous court appearances, was kicked from his bike and attacked by the mob. Ms Nemat said: “The crowd charged towards the police officer who was pushed off his bike by another member of the group. A metal pole was thrown towards the police officer.

“While the police officer is being attacked the defendant gestures towards him and approaches him. Another member of the public stands between the defendant and the officer and gestures to him to stop or go away.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Omair said he sustained small glass cuts to his hands when his shop was looted. However, he said his mental health is suffering and he has to go and check any noise for fear of further attack. He said: “I feel like this was a personal attack. I am terrified to take my daughter to nursery because I am worried about her safety.”

He added: “I have lived here for 10 years and this is the first time I have experienced anything like this. I can’t believe these people are from Liverpool. I am so shocked by their act. I believe there was a racial undertone. I came to this country legally. Illegal immigration has nothing to do with me.”

The court heard Hegarty handed himself in to police after his picture was circulated. In a police interview he admitted that he threw missiles and swore at police. He accepted “he ruined his whole life because of one day”. He was charged with violent disorder and burglary and admitted the two offences at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

Daniel Travers, mitigating, told the court that his client was “appalled by his actions”. Mr Travers said: “He was carried away in the group mentality and followed the crowd wanting to be part of something.” He told the court his client wasn’t racially motivated but was instead “looking to belong to something”.

Mr Travers said: “Although his behaviour is appalling and unacceptable, it’s behaviour he won’t be repeating. He is realistic and understands there is a public interest in punishing those responsible. Mr Travers added in his client’s pre-sentence report the teenager “was impressed by the way police and prison staff treated him with care and kindness”.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “Although your conduct encouraged others, you didn’t play a leading role. Although some involved were racially motivated, I can’t be sure you share their motivation but I am sure that you must have been aware of a general atmosphere of racial hostility. You have no criminal convictions and I accept you didn’t go to take part in the violent disorder and you didn’t personally steal anything.”

But Judge Flewitt told Hegarty his actions had left a shop owner “feeling traumatised” and a number of officers had been seriously injured. The judge sentenced Hegarty, formerly of Ryefield Lane in Litherland but most recently of HMP Altcourse, to 20 months’ imprisonment in a young persons institute.

The teenager blew a kiss to a dozen members of his family in the public dock as he was led to the cells.
Liverpool Echo

Man admits rioting over asylum seeker hotel attack

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September 19, 2024
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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

‘I’m not having that, I wasn’t born yesterday…’: Judge’s explosive rant at boy’s pathetic rioting excuse

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September 19, 2024
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“What else do you have to say to me? Do not treat me as an idiot”

A judge launched into a furious rant at a boy who claimed he was ‘going to buy a drink’ before a group of masked-up youths tried to break into a shop.

The 17-year-old was one of a number of teens who were spotted outside the convenience store in Bolton town centre. The attack took place during the protests and counter protests in the Greater Manchester town on August 4 this year.

Disorder was seen across the country after misinformation spread online as to the identity of the murder suspect of three children who were killed in Southport last month. This included areas across the north west including Newton Heath, Manchester city centre and Bolton.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the boy, who was 16 at the time but has since turned 17, was captured on CCTV wearing a face covering.

Police were deployed to keep the peace between the two sides, after which 20 to 30 youths continued to cause disruption, the court heard.

Hannah Nicholls, prosecuting, said: “This boy was one of the youths, he was involved in an incident upon a store, namely the AMZ Convenience Store. The owner has owned it for 11 years.

“He decided to open the shop around 1pm. He saw a number of people in masks and police outside the shop and realised people were protesting. He decided to close until things quieted down.”

Later that afternoon things appeared to have calmed down and he opened up the shop, she said. Fifteen minutes later he was standing by the till when he noticed a masked male on a bike outside.

He then got off the bike, threw the bike and looked directly at him from outside the shop,” Ms Nicholls said. “The owner was concerned and ran to the front door as he was concerned he was going to get robbed.

“He could hear the male shouting to someone and then three or four people came immediately and tried to open the front door by pushing, kicking and punching the door. He grabbed his keys from his pocket to put the shutter down, the youths tried to stop the shutter from coming down.

“During that time could hear number of people shouting: “You’re going back, no good person, b*****d”. He believed they were trying to rob the shop.”

The owner remained in the shop after the shutters were fully down and could hear the group banging on them for a number of seconds before moving on.

The glass door was left completely smashed, and the wooden panels were damaged, the total cost of which to replace was between £1,200 and £2,000.

In a victim personal statement, the shop owner said: “I was worried for my safety and protecting my shop. At the time I was scared because I was on my own.

“I believed I was targeted due to my race. It made me feel bad. I have lived in this country for a long time and my children have grown up here. I now stand outside my shop out of fear in case I am targeted again. I am constantly on edge.”

Mitigating for the boy, Dan Gaskell said he had a previous conviction for possession of a bladed article for which he received a referral order, but has shown ‘good motivation’ to engage with the youth justice services.

He said he had a ‘limited role’ in the violence upon the shop.

“This is a young man with a complex history. He was left to his own devices as a child and is in the care of the local authority. He is young enough to learn from mistakes,” Mr Gaskell added.

Addressing the boy, District Judge Margaret McCormack asked: “What do you have to say for yourself?”

He said: “First, I’m sorry about the shop. I didn’t mean to cause damage to the shop. At first I wanted to go and get a drink.”

Furiously interrupting him, the judge said: “No, I’m not having that. I wasn’t born yesterday. I have seen that footage, it was very volatile.

“Do not come here and insult me by telling me you wanted to go and buy something. I have seen how threatening those groups of young men are, masked up.

“Don’t test my patience, it was a very volatile situation. That man in that shop, whether or not it was you, but he was subject to racist abuse. He was born and bred in this country. Running a business. It could have got taken away from him. Do you know how serious it is?”

The boy quietly replied: “Yes.”

“I have read your background and you had an appalling upbringing that no child should be subjected to. But you know the difference between right and wrong. You know you were doing wrong,” she told him.

“What else do you have to say to me? And don’t treat me as an idiot.”

The boy sheepishly replied: “Just I’m really sorry and it won’t happen again.”

The teen pleaded guilty to criminal damage and violent disorder. He was handed a 12 month intensive youth rehabilitation order which included a three month electronically monitored curfew from 7pm to 7am, activity requirements up to 91 days and supervision from the youth justice service. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the shop owner.

As she sentenced him, District Judge McCormack told the teen: “If you come back it won’t be me sending you to prison, it will be you.”

Manchester Evening News

Teen who attacked shop during disorder sentenced

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September 19, 2024
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A teenager who was part of a masked gang which attacked a convenience store during violent disorder this summer has been given a youth rehabilitation order.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard the owner of the Bolton shop was “terrified” while trying tried to stop four youths breaking in on 4 August.

While attempting to close the shop’s electric shutters, a 16-year-old boy kicked and punched the glass door.

The now 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted violent disorder and criminal damage but denied his actions were racially aggravated.

Violence flared in Bolton, as well as several other towns and cities across England, following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July in Southport, Merseyside.

The court was told the shopkeeper believed he had been “targeted for his race” and had been left “constantly on edge” ever since about the possibility of more protests.

Judge Margaret McCormack described the atmosphere in Bolton on 4 August as “volatile” and “very intimidating”.

She acknowledged that the 17-year-old had experienced “an appalling upbringing”, but told him: “You knew what you were doing was wrong.”

The teenager was already serving a community sentence when he got involved in the violence.

The judge warned him he would face a custodial sentence if he breached his 12-month youth rehabilitation order.

The youth was also told to pay £200 compensation to the shopkeeper.

BBC News

Police charge three more men after Bristol disorder

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September 19, 2024
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Police have charged three more men with committing violent disorder in Bristol last month.

Joshua Sarkozi, of Shirehampton in Bristol, pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

Mr Sarkozi, 25, will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on September 26.

The unrest occurred when protesters and counter protesters gathered near Castle Park in the city centre on August 3.

Two other men Joseph Saunders, 41, of Exeter, and Paul Marks, 67, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, are due in Bristol Magistrates’ Court on October 3.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 25-year-old man from Cornwall has been received a conditional caution after he admitted failing to remove a face covering when required to by a constable.

A total of 40 people have been charged in connection with the disorder, and 22 have been sentenced.

BBC News

Man who threw missiles at police during disorder jailed

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September 19, 2024
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A man who threw punches and missiles at police during a city centre protest has been jailed.

Ashley Hunt, from St George in Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to one year and eight months in prison for the role he played during the disorder in Bristol on 3 August.

The unrest occurred when protesters and counter protesters gathered near Castle Park in the city centre.

Avon and Somerset Police have arrested 51 people in connection with the disorder, with 37 being charged so far.

Hunt pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder after an officer’s body worn camera captured the violent nature of his behaviour that day.

Sentencing Hunt at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Peter Blair told him the fact he committed the offence while on licence demonstrated he did not have respect for the criminal justice system.

He added: “Although you were not a main instigator your actions showed violence, aggression and a disregard for the police and the community”.

Demonstrations took place across England after three young girls were killed in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

False claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Det Ch Insp Tom Herbert said: “Ashley Hunt punched a person in Castle Park and the body worn footage shows how he continued to be aggressive and violent later on during the day towards both the public and officers.

“Prison sentences totalling more than 40 years have been handed down by the courts for those responsible for the ugly scenes last month.

“We have made more than 50 arrests so far and will continue to do all we can to further identify those responsible for the appalling violence that took place in August.”

Avon and Somerset Police said it was still keen to identify a number of people, external that officers want to speak to as part of their investigation.

BBC News