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He tried to hide his face from police but still found himself in a cell

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September 6, 2024
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Connor Piggott was spotted on video

A man tried to hide his face as he launched bricks at police officers but his efforts were in vain. Connor Ashley Piggott took part in violent scenes which broke out on St Luke’s Road in Southport on July 30.

The 25-year-old, of Landsdown Road, Chester, was spotted on video repeatedly throwing bricks at police officers. He wore a balaclava to try and hide his face, but as detectives trawled through hours of CCTV and social media he was identified.

Piggott appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, September 5, after pleading guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: “The despicable actions of those involved that day left more than 50 officers injured and Piggott was seen on video repeatedly throwing bricks toward police officers. Like many others, he wore a balaclava in a bid to hide his identity. But thanks to officers who trawled many hours of CCTV and social media footage, his efforts were in vain.

“Piggott was positively identified as one of those launching objects towards officers who had been dispatched to the area to protect the public. He will now spend a significant amount of time in prison and I hope he spends that time reflecting on his actions that day.

“To date, we have arrested 96, charged 60 and sentenced 43 people, and there will be many more to come. 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.”

People are asked to contact Merseyside Police via Public Portal Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.

Liverpool Echo

Arsonist receives longest sentence yet linked to summer riots

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September 6, 2024
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Thomas Birley, 27, of Swinton, Rotherham, has received the longest sentence of anyone involved in the summer riots so far.

Here’s a summary of what was heard in court today:

Birley was involved in a riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham on 4 August, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time

The 27-year-old was part of a group that smashed the hotel’s windows and he added to a fire against the building

He previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon

He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to nine years in prison, with a five-year extension on licence

The Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said the lives of at least 50 people were endangered and those inside thought they would be killed

Birley and people like him were “intent on spreading a hateful message of violence and racism”, the judge said

It was one of the worst cases the court had heard related to the incident, the judge added

A pre-sentence report had views which “raised alarm” with a probation officer and there were hints of a “white supremacist mindset”, the judge said

Birley’s defence barrister said the former painter and decorator “expresses heartfelt remorse”. The court also heard Birley is a “loner” and has a learning disorder and mental disability

Birley has been jailed for nine years for taking part in a riot in Rotherham on 4 August – the highest prison sentence handed out by judges following widespread violence and rioting.

He was part of a group which helped smash windows at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers and added wood to a fire against the building, which housed asylum seekers.

Birley, 27, of Swinton, Rotherham, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon.

At Sheffield Crown Court, the Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “You are unquestionably a dangerous offender.”

His sentence is nine years in prison, with a five-year extension on licence.

BBC News

Man claimed he wasn’t in town for riot but then police showed him the footage

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September 5, 2024
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He had his head in his hands as he was sentenced

A businessman told police he hadn’t even been in the same town square as the riots that broke out in August – until they showed him footage ripping up the area near a cenotaph.

Dane Potter, 39, of Bolton Road, Aspull, Wigan, was involved in a riot in Bolton on Sunday, August 4 and also threw a missile towards police officers.

Bricks and other missiles were launched at police officers who were trying to keep the protesters apart from counter-protesters (with around 250 people attending from each side). The demonstration followed the tragic death of three young girls in Southport, and, the court said, the ‘misinformation’ about the alleged perpetrator’s identity.

Potter, who runs his own tree surgery business, was identified and stopped by police three days after the riot. He was interviewed at a police station and initially denied he had been on Nelson Square in the town when the disorder took place.

But police showed him footage, which included him ‘ripping’ tarmac or some stones from the area near the cenotaph before throwing a missile towards officers. Potter had his hood up and wore a mask covering his face, and hung around the area for about an hour afterwards, prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said.

After seeing the footage he confessed and apologised. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and has now been sentenced to two years and two months in prison.

He held his head in his hands as he appeared in court by video link from HMP Liverpool. The judge said it was accepted by prosecutors that Potter’s offending was not racially aggravated. Defending, Emily Potter said the defendant ‘simply cannot explain’ his behaviour.

“He found himself in the middle of this and going along with this,” she said. “That is not how he behaves on a day to day basis.”

But the court was told that Potter has 10 previous offences on his record, including two for affray and one for possessing an offensive weapon. Ms Potter said the defendant fears his business, in which he employs six people, could fold without him.

“Day to day he is an average citizen who goes to work, sees his family and comes home,” Ms Potter added. “He accepts that his behaviour is completely unacceptable. It is something he is incredibly ashamed of.”

Judge Jon Close said it was a ‘cruel and depressing irony’ that an area near the cenotaph, which is ‘designed to commemorate the war dead’ had been defaced.

Wales Online

Two men who threw objects and banged on doors of asylum-seeker hotel jailed

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September 5, 2024
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Kieron Marney and Clive Patfield were part of a group who also shouted abuse at people inside the hotel, police said.

Two men who banged on doors and hurled a bike at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Hampshire have been jailed.

Kieron Marney, 25, of Ash, threw a bike and other objects and pulled at window blinds at the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot on July 31.

Clive Patfield, 60, of Farnham, also attended the 200-strong gathering and was part of a group banging on the doors, Hampshire Police said.

The force said video footage was played to Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday showing their violent disorder, which they pleaded guilty to at the hearing.

Marney was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and Patfield was jailed for two years.

It comes after officers launched an investigation and charged seven men and a teenage girl with violent disorder.

Two other men at the Aldershot protest also pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Wednesday and will be sentenced at a later date.

Alby Brannan, 18, of Ash, and Cameron Bowling, 41, of Farnborough, will be sentenced on November 29 and September 23 respectively.

A fifth man at the hearing on Wednesday, Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Farnborough, pleaded not guilty and a trial has been set for April 14 next year.

A 29-year-old man, Perrie Fisher, who rode a children’s scooter before throwing it at the hotel and telling a police officer to f*** off was jailed for 29 months at Winchester Crown Court on August 21.

A 13-year-old girl, from Aldershot, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder over the same incident at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court and will be sentenced there on September 30.

In a separate hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, a 41-year-old man pleaded guilty to four counts of assaulting an emergency worker, affray and a racially aggravated public order offence at the hotel on August 3.

Steven Tiquin, of Aldershot, assaulted officers, including one who had to go to hospital with a minor injury.

He will be sentenced on September 13.

Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: “While the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful, the men involved in disorder chose to act in an aggressive manner.

“I hope the sentences that Patfield and Marney received highlight that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. It is a clear message that these actions have consequences.

“This should serve as a warning to anyone else considering trying to bring mindless violence to our streets and that the minority who seek to cause disorder will face the full force of the law.”

Evening Standard

Girl, 16, threw vodka bottle at police during far-right protest

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September 5, 2024
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The girl, who cannot be named, was given a 12-month intensive referral order when she appeared at Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday.

A 16-year-old girl who threw a bottle of vodka at a police officer and made a Nazi salute during riots in Plymouth was involved in “violent thuggery”, a district judge has said.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of her age, avoided custody when she was given a 12-month intensive referral order at Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday.

District judge Joanna Matson heard the girl joined an anti-immigration protest in Plymouth on August 5, which saw widespread disruption in the city, with police officers attacked and businesses closed.

The judge was shown video footage filmed on police body-worn cameras of the girl throwing an item at police officers in Plymouth on August 5.

In another clip, she could be seen getting in the way of a police van attempting to attend the scene.

The court also heard that she performed a Nazi salute.

Judge Matson told the girl: “You have pleaded guilty to your involvement in the violent disorder that took place on Plymouth Royal Parade.

“It can only be described as appalling, violent thuggery, it brought the city centre to a standstill, it had a very significant impact on the people that were there, not least the police who were trying to control the disorder.”

She added: “You threw a bottle which hit an officer who was there doing his duty, trying to prevent this awful disorder. I also note you did a Nazi salute, that’s a racist and hugely offensive sign – there’s no place in our society for people to make signs like that.

“You said you didn’t know what it meant, if that was the case why did you do it?

“Even if you didn’t, why would you make a sign if you didn’t know what it means?

“It’s clearly a horrific symbol of racism.”

She told the girl that had she been older, she likely would have faced a custodial sentence.

Addressing the court, the girl, who has no previous convictions, said: “It was really bad what I’ve done, I was really childish.

“I was drunk, and it was the heat of the moment and I’m sorry for that.”

She told the judge she had not intended to get involved in the far-right protest and got “caught up in it”.

The judge also ordered her family to pay a £26 surcharge.

Two other teenagers, both 17-year-old boys, were also sentenced at Plymouth Youth Court on Thursday for their involvement in the disruption.

One was seen on the Royal Parade throwing a missile and a traffic cone at counter-protesters.

Judge Matson said the video shown to the court showed that he was “clearly on the front line, getting involved”, telling him he participated in a “widespread act of violence”.

The boy, who had no previous convictions, was given a referral order for nine months and was told he must get to grips with his cannabis use.

The other 17-year-old boy was described as having been “prolific throughout”, putting his middle finger up at police officers, throwing a can and resisting being moved back.

He was also filmed on the Royal Parade chanting “we want our country back”.

The judge said she accepted there was “significant trauma” in his life but told him he could not blame immigrants for his personal situation.

The teenager was given a 12-month referral order and a curfew for three months.

Evening Standard

More than 200 people sentenced for offences linked to recent disorder

By
September 5, 2024
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Just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

More than 200 people have now been sentenced for offences in connection with the disorder that broke out in parts of the country following the knife attack at a Southport dance studio on July 29 that left three girls dead.

Here are some of the key statistics:

– How many people have been sentenced?

The PA news agency has compiled details of 202 people who had been sentenced as of September 5.

– What is the age range of the people sentenced?

The oldest person to have been sentenced is William Morgan, 69, of Walton in Merseyside, who was jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon – a cosh – during unrest in Liverpool on August 3, in which police were attacked and a library was set on fire.

The youngest is a 13-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, who received a 12-month youth referral order for throwing missiles as part of a mob that besieged a Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

Some 21 of the 202 people sentenced are under 21, or 10% of the total. This includes two under 18: the 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.

A further 20 (10%) are aged 21 to 24, while 34 (17%) are aged 25 to 29.

This means just over a third (37%) of people sentenced so far are under the age of 30.

Some 62 people sentenced, or just under a third of the total (31%), are aged 30 to 39, while 39 (19%) are aged 40 to 49, 17 (8%) aged 50 to 59 and nine (4%) aged 60 and over.

– How many people have been sent to jail?

A total of 193 of the 202 people received immediate custodial sentences.

Of the nine others, four received suspended jail sentences, two were fined, two received community orders and one received a referral order.

– What is the longest jail sentence so far?

Six years, which was handed to David Wilkinson, 48, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, attempted arson and racially aggravated criminal damage for his role in the disturbances in the city on August 3.

The next longest jail term was given to John Honey, 25, of Hull, who pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, racially aggravated criminal damage and violent disorder during the August 3 unrest in the city, for which he received a sentence of four years and eight months.

A jail term totalling three years and six months was handed to Thomas Medler, 24, of Lockleaze in Bristol, comprising 34 months for violent disorder plus eight months for breaching a sexual harm prevention order, for his role in an anti-immigration protest that turned violent in the city on August 3.

– What is the shortest jail sentence so far?

Seven weeks, given to Jake Grainger-Quinn, 29, who pleaded guilty to a public order offence in Whitehall in central London on July 31, when he was part of a crowd rushing at and pushing against a police cordon.

– What is the average length of jail sentences?

The average is 24 months.

– What is the most common offence for which people have been sentenced?

Violent disorder. Some 157 of the 202 people sentenced so far had been charged with violent disorder, either by itself or in combination with other charges.

Other charges that have led to jail sentences include assaulting emergency workers, possession of a knife or sharp object in a public place, publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and causing racially aggravated intentional harassment.

– Which police forces account for the most number of people sentenced?

Five police forces together account for more than half of those sentenced: Merseyside (15% of the total), South Yorkshire (12%), Humberside (10%) Avon & Somerset (8%) and Cleveland (7%).

Evening Standard

Teen handed in by mum after riot avoids detention

By
September 4, 2024
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A 15-year-old boy who was handed into police by his mother has been given a 12-month referral order, despite a judge saying “detention was thoroughly deserved”.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary of Hull’s Lush store during disorder in the city centre on 3 August.

The boy’s mother recognised her son from a police appeal and took him to Clough Road Police Station to hand himself in.

In CCTV footage shown in court, the boy was seen throwing large items including orange barriers at police.

‘Not a video game’

Dressed smartly in a white shirt and black trousers, the boy was allowed to have his mother and stepfather sit by his side during the hearing, a privilege given to defendants during a youth court.

Speaking in court, the boy’s mother said her son was a “quiet boy” who only had one friend and they were not outgoing. She said he “normally went fishing or played video games”.

However, Judge Mark Daley said the disorder the boy took part in “was real life though, and people got hurt”.

He added: “It may have felt like a video game, but it’s not like there was a mob and you were separate from it.

“You were enjoying it. You did not have to do it.”

In mitigation, solicitor David Robson said the boy had expressed remorse and was apologetic for his behaviour.

He added he had “no interest in anything racist or political”, and, during a “unique event”, he got caught up in a “swarm of people”.

Mr Robson described him as “a young man caught up in something exceptional”.

The boy, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, had only been in trouble once previously after a fight at school.

Following the referral order, the boy will now return to school where he will study for his GCSEs. The court heard he had ambitions to join the RAF and work in engineering.

A man was also sentenced on Tuesday after attacking an emergency worker during the unrest on 3 August.

Declan Wild, 26, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault of an emergency worker, violent disorder, racially aggravated assault and burglary.

BBC News

Woman pleads guilty to Southport riot offences

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September 4, 2024
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A young woman at the forefront of a riot in Southport which followed the killings of three girls in the town has pleaded guilty to three offences.

Ellie Clarke was charged with violent disorder following the incident on 30 July, which took place in the wake of the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

The 21-year-old, who also admitted with assaulting an emergency worker and racially aggravated harassment, repeatedly wept in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences on Wednesday and was remanded in custody to appear at the city’s crown court on Tuesday.

‘Racial hate element’

Andrew Page, prosecuting, told the court that a large group had gathered in Sussex Road near a mosque in the evening and there was a confrontation with police officers in riot gear.

“Miss Clarke can clearly be seen on CCTV at the front of a group who are confronting the police. She was pacing up and down for a long time. At one point she walked up to the line of police officers.”

Mr Page told the court she then shouted at police a series of racial slurs.

She was seen to strike an officer’s riot shield, the court heard.

Opposing bail Mr Page said the racial hate element was an aggravating factor.

Terry Naylor, defending, applied for bail and said Clarke, of Chestnut Street, Southport, had no previous convictions and had handed herself in to police after a photograph of her was circulated in the media.

“She accepts she may be facing a sentence of immediate custody of some length.”

District Judge Paul Healey refused bail and sent the case to crown court.

BBC News

His ‘curiosity and stupidity’ led him straight into a prison cell

By
September 4, 2024
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Anthony Buck says he was hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed after launching missiles towards them

A dad’s “curiosity” led to him being hit with batons four times by police officers and PAVA sprayed twice.

Anthony Buck says that he was met with such retaliation after launching four missiles towards PCs when scenes of violence erupted in Southport following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice DaSilva Aguiar.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that a 1,000-strong crowd descended on the Southport Islamic Society Mosque on the evening of July 30 this year, the day after the killings, and chanted “this is our f***ing country”, “s***houses”, “scumbag b****rds” and “who the f*** is Allah?”. Items being hurled towards officers led to more than 50 being injured, while residents’ properties were “significantly” damaged and one police van was destroyed by fire at a cost of £100,000.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how Buck was seen on CCTV in close proximity to Windsor Mini Mart as the shop was looted, with cigarettes, crates of beer and bottles of spirits being taken from inside after the shutters were ripped open. The 52-year-old, formerly of Shakespeare Street, was said to have been “front and centre” as entry was forced to the premises, although he did not enter the store.

Footage also captured him launching objects towards the police four times in quick succession in his “distinctive” blue Berghaus top. Buck was subsequently arrested at Southport Police Station on August 29.

Under interview, he “admitted throwing several small rocks or stones” and said he was “under the influence of drink” at the time. The defendant told detectives that he had been “PAVA sprayed twice and hit with a baton four times” and said he was “agitated”.

Buck meanwhile stated that he could not remember anything he had shouted at the scene, but maintained that it “would not have been racist chanting” as he was “not a racist”. He also said he had filmed the events on his mobile phone, but later deleted the footage.

His criminal record shows a total of 23 previous convictions for 32 offences dating back to 1986. This includes an entry for wounding without intent in 1994 and receiving 27 months for possession of heroin with intent to supply in August 2021.

Buck was originally released from this term in July 2022, but was subsequently recalled on licence in February 2023 before being freed again in November last year. Simon Christie, defending, told the court: “He bitterly regrets his part in the serious violent disorder on the streets of Southport.

“The defendant is a native of Southport. He is not one of those who travelled to the scene. He is seen undisguised on the footage. He instructs that he went to the crowd out of curiosity and then, out of pure stupidity, allowed himself to get involved and remained at the scene, and he threw a number of objects towards the police.

“He has responsibilities at home. He has two children, aged 12 and 13, who are being looked after by family members. Having seen the footage, he is quite simply appalled at what he did.

“He is proud of the town and cannot rationally explain why he become involved in it. He quite inexplicably not only got involved, he stayed there for an appreciable period of time – albeit the violence was concentrated into a relatively short period of time.”

Buck admitted violent disorder. Appearing in the dock wearing a black North Face t-shirt, he nodded as he was jailed for 28 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “A mob which became a thousand strong gathered near to the mosque. Without any justification at all, the mob attacked the mosque and its community – who were completely blameless – and the police, who were, in the eyes of the mob, at fault for trying to protect those who were their targets.

“The mob laid siege to the police line. There was a violent confrontation. In years passed, it would probably have been described as a pitched battle and it lasted a considerable amount of time.

“The events which you were part of sparked a series of incidents of mob violence in other places in the days and weeks which followed, the consequences being far reaching – not just for the people of Southport, but for the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder which causes injury, damage and fear to communities will, as you now appreciate, inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Liverpool Echo

Boy, 13, threw firework and stones at police during hotel rioting

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September 4, 2024
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The teenager, who cannot be named, avoided custody.

A 13-year-old boy who threw a lit firework and stones at police during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers “willingly and enthusiastically” joined in the disorder, a district judge has said.

The teenager, who cannot be named, avoided custody when he was given a 12-month youth referral order at Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday.

District Judge James Gould heard how the teenager joined a mob which besieged the Holiday Inn Express, which was housing more than 200 asylum seekers, in Manvers, South Yorkshire, on August 4.

The youngster was filmed multiple times by police body-worn cameras throwing missiles at officers with shields outside the Holiday Inn Express.

In one clip, the boy was caught being handed a firework, which he lit and threw.

This fell just short of the officers’ shields, the court heard.

Judge Gould told the boy: “Whatever was within your reach you threw at police officers, including numerous stones.

“You willingly and enthusiastically took part in that disorder.”

He said: “You participated in that disorder at the highest level.”

Judge Gould said: “You asked for a firework, you lit it and you used it as a missile.”

The judge said the boy told the author of a pre-sentence report that he found it “exciting”.

He also ordered the boy’s family to pay a £26 statutory surcharge.

The disorder at Manvers led to 64 officers, three police horses and a police dog being injured as hundreds of protesters surrounded the hotel.

At one point some people got inside the building and tried to set it alight.

More than 30 people have now been sentenced for their part in the disorder in Manvers.

On Wednesday at Sheffield Youth Court, two others teenagers admitted being part of the violence.

A 17-year-old from the Rotherham area and a 16-year-old from Barnsley pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The 17-year-old was bailed to appear at the same court for sentencing on October 2.

Judge Gould also bailed the 16-year-old and ordered him to appear for sentencing at Barnsley Youth Court on October 15.

Another 17-year-old, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, appeared for sentencing before Judge Gould on Wednesday but had his case adjourned until September 18.

No details of these defendants’ involvement in the disorder was outlined in court on Wednesday.

Evening Standard