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John Cann pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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John Cann, aged 51 of North Road West, Plymouth has pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Monday August 5.

After hearing the charge Cann, flanked by two security officers in the dock, replied “Oh yeah, I’m guilty” before putting his hands up in the air.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder said police footage showed Cann on the “city centre” side of Royal Parade and was “seen to be on a bike”. This was actually a form of mobility scooter as Cann has a prosthetic lower leg.

Ms Tresidder said Cann was seen to pick up items from the floor and throw them in the direction of the counter protestors. She said according to footage from police Cann was also seen to throw a firework which landed on the counter-protestors’ side and run from where it landed.

The court was told that Cann did have previous convictions, the most recent being possession of an offensive weapon in 2019.

District Judge Stuart Smith said Cann had accepted his role in the “very significant” disorder which occurred on that day. He added: “Violent thuggery is not going to be tolerated” but his own sentencing powers were not sufficient.

As such Cann would be remanded into custody and would appear at Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday August 13 for sentencing.

Plymouth Herald

Ryan Bailey pleads guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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Bailey, aged 41 of no fixed abode – but he states he is staying at the George Hostel – has pleaded guilty to violent disorder on August 5.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder again refers to the footage captured by police which showed Bailey picking up a can and throwing it towards counter protestors on the Civic Centre side of Royal Parade, causing a liquid to spray out.

She said he was also heard changing with others chanting “say it loud, say it clear, illegals not welcome here”.

The court heard Bailey had previous convictions with the most recent being in 2020 for attempt robbery. She said before that he had “regular offending” primarily for dishonesty matters.

District Judge Stuart Smith remanded Bailey into custody and he will next appear at Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday where he will be sentenced.

Plymouth Herald

Gary Harkness pleaded guilty to violent disorder

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August 12, 2024
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Harkness, aged 51 and of North Road West, Plymouth pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Monday August 5.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder said Harkness was standing on the House of Fraser side of Royal Parade and was seen “to be standing at the front of the group constantly throughout the incident”, “making offensvie hand gestures towards the Civic Centre group”. She said he was being “abusive approximately eight times” and there were “two physical altercations with police”.

The court was told Harkness was seen “making w***** gestures” towards counter-protestors. Harkness was also seen attempting to break through police lines and reach the counter-protestors.

Ms Tressider said on occasions police had to push Harkness away and at one point he pushed a police dog handler and then attempted to grab the dog handler’s “hand or baton” and walked towards the dog handler “in an aggressive fashion”.

The court heard Harkness had previous convictions the latest being in 2018 which was for possession of a prohibited weapon and drugs offences.

His advocate told the court that Harkness “doesn’t hold right wing views or affiliation” and that he “regrets being there” on the night. He said Harkness was seen “amicably chatting” to people on the “anti-fascist” side of the road.

District Judge Smith said the powers of the Magistrates’ court was insufficient and as such Harkness would be remanded into custody ahead of a sentencing hearing at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday.

Plymouth Herald

Man who stole police officer’s baton during disorder jailed for three years

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August 12, 2024
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Guy Sullivan was jailed at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday.

A man who grabbed a police officer’s baton and ran off with it during disorder in Plymouth has been jailed for three years.

Guy Sullivan, 43, admitted a charge of violent disorder relating to the incident during protests in the Devon city on August 5.

Plymouth Crown Court heard the lone officer was up against a grass verge and was using his baton to strike forward in a bid to push back protesters around him.

Sullivan, of New George Street, Plymouth, then came behind the officer and grabbed the baton out of his hands.

The officer was pulled to the ground and attacked by other protesters as onlookers filmed and shouted “get him”, “do him” and “let him have it”.

Judge Robert Linford told Sullivan: “You ran up behind Pc Hannaford, who was doing what he could to try to keep the mob, because that’s what they were, at bay.

“You took his baton and made off with it. As a direct consequence of that, Pc Hannaford, who has been a police officer for a very long period of time, was taken to the ground and beaten.

“He curled himself into a ball while these people set upon him.

“He must have been terrified, not withstanding his years of experience. He says so close to his retirement this incident has left a sour taste.

“You played your part in that mob violence. The courts are going to come down hard on people who are part of that widespread disorder.”

The judge jailed Sullivan for 26 months for the violent disorder.

Sullivan had previously received a 16-month prison sentence for smashing into a Tesco Express store during the protests and stealing £281 worth of alcohol.

Judge Linford reduced that sentence to 10 months, which Sullivan will serve after the 26-month sentence for violent disorder.

Prosecuting, Lewis Aldous said the officer “ended up on the floor and sustained injuries to his head”, but was not seriously hurt.

He told the court that the police baton was later recovered from the home of another defendant charged in relation to the protest.

Representing Sullivan, Christopher Cuddihee said his client had “blundered into the situation” and did not look back to see the officer being attacked.

“He was drunk that evening, stumbling around, and stumbled into this disorder,” Mr Cuddihee said.

“He has never been political in his life. Unfortunately, he has inserted himself into this very serious incident in a very unhelpful and potentially dangerous way.”

A letter written by Sullivan, apologising to the police, was read to the court.

The defendant has 37 previous convictions for 108 offences.

He wrote: “To all the officers that this concerns, I would like to start by saying how sorry I am for the stupid act I did on the day in question.”

Sullivan wrote that he had previously suffered with drug addiction but had passed all drug tests since being released from prison and was now the father of a “beautiful” baby who is five months old.

“I am going to miss my son’s first Christmas,” he said.

“I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I can’t believe how stupid I have been, letting everyone down including you.”

As he was led to the cells, Sullivan told the court: “Sorry once again officer, I do apologise.”

Evening Standard

Man from Manchester becomes eighth person to be jailed following disorder in Merseyside

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August 12, 2024
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A man from Manchester has become the eighth person to be jailed following disorder in Merseyside after he was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison.

Dylan Carey, 26, of Castle Hill Road, in Hindley, Greater Manchester, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, Monday 12 August, after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

On Tuesday 30 July, Carey travelled to Southport and was identified on bodycam footage and social media clips hurling objects at officers and also kicking a stationary police carrier during the appalling scenes from that evening.

A specialist team from Merseyside Police continues to review hundreds of hours of footage taken from the disorder in Southport and Liverpool and Carey was arrested at his home on Monday 5 August.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “The arrests, charges and sentencing of those involved in Merseyside disorder continues this week and Carey is the latest person to find himself behind bars for his appalling actions.

“Carey chose to travel from his home in Manchester to Southport and took part in violent scenes in a town that was still reeling from the horrific murders the previous day. The actions of those who took part in the disorder not only seriously injured officers, but also caused harm and fear in an already devastated community.

“The sentencing results we have seen so far for disorder shows how seriously the courts take this matter. Carey now finds himself at the beginning of an 18 month jail term. If you are thinking of taking part in any planned disorder, ask yourself, is it worth it?”

Merseyside Police

Man jailed for two years after punching officer

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August 12, 2024
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A man has been jailed for two years after admitting assaulting a police officer at a protest in Weymouth.

Jason Francis, 38, of Meadow View Road in Weymouth, was involved in an anti-immigration protest which led to violent disorder on 4 August.

Dorset Police say he was seen moving towards a police line pushing and kicking out at officers – before punching one officer in the face.

He was jailed for two years after pleading guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.

BBC News

Man who threw vacuum cleaner through window jailed

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August 12, 2024
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A 22-year-old who threw a vacuum cleaner through a house window and made an offensive statement to a police officer has been sentenced to 26 months in prison.

Thomas Rogers pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon after he was seen throwing bricks at police in Middlesbrough on 4 August.

In mitigation, the court heard Rogers was a “complex and vulnerable young man”.

BBC News

Rotherham riots: Man jailed for threatening police officer with wooden stick & attacking dog van

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August 12, 2024
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A haulage business owner has been jailed for two years and eight months after he was pictured in a national newspaper brandishing a piece of wood during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Ricky Hardman was arrested after a photo of him near the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on Sunday, August 4, 2024 was published by the Daily Telegraph, a judge was told on Monday.

Video was also played to Sheffield Crown Court showing that the 41-year-old defendant was part of a group attacking a police dog van during the violence outside the hotel.

Hardman could be seen kicking out at the police van, which was being prevented from moving by people lying in front of it.

He could then be seen as part of a group of about six men who violently rocked the vehicle before it managed to drive away.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told Hardman the “major civil disorder” was “perpetrated by an ignorant mob of which you were a part”.

He went on: “The incident was part of wider national civic unrest fostered by some form of malignancy in society spread by malevolent users of social media.

“There’s no question the disorder was racist in character and extremely frightening for anyone who was there.”

The judge said he could not be sure that Hardman threw the piece of wood he was brandishing at the police but thought he “almost certainly” did.

He said he was at the front of a mob attacking and threatening police, who were “shamefully waving the Union flag”.

The judge said the police officers who protected the hotel against the rioters are “deserving of the highest praise”.

He said: “It must be made clear that those participating in this form of violent disorder will be punished severely by the courts.

“It is the duty of the court to do what it can to protect the public.”

Judge Richardson said the maximum sentence for violent disorder is five years in prison and he had to bear in mind, when setting Hardman’s sentence, that he will be dealing with defendants with even more serious involvement in the Rotherham disorder in coming weeks.

He said it is a matter for Parliament whether this maximum needs to be revisited in light of recent events.

The judge was told about a series of defendants due to appear before him in relation to the Rotherham disorder in coming days and how the efficiency with which these cases is being dealt is leading to knock-on inefficiencies in relation to other prosecutions.

He agreed, but said: “Major civil disorder of this kind has to be prioritised.”

Richard Davies, defending, told the judge his client is “ashamed of himself and the impact that it’s going to have on his family”.

He said Hardman did not go to the hotel to get involved with violence but got “carried away”.

Mr Davies said his client agrees that he has “only got himself to blame”.

Hardman, of Norfolk Road, Barnsley, admitted violent disorder last week.

He sat in the dock with one security guard, wearing a black T-shirt and green trousers, and with his family watching from the public gallery.

Sheffield Star

Teenager who was caught on CCTV throwing bricks at police officers jailed for 18 months

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August 12, 2024
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Cole Stewart threw multiple objects at officers who had been deployed to violent disorder in Darlington on Monday, August 5.

A teenager who was caught on CCTV throwing bricks at police officers has been jailed for 18 months.

Cole Stewart threw multiple objects at officers who had been deployed to violent disorder in Darlington on Monday, August 5. The 18-year-old was then seen “celebrating” after throwing the bricks and other objects near North Lodge Park, with one of them hitting an officer.

He was arrested at the scene and charged with violent disorder, and today, he admitted the offence and was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institute at Teesside Crown Court. Enquiries into the disorder remain ongoing, and officers expect to make further arrests in the coming days and weeks.

Durham Constabulary’s Chief Constable, Rachel Bacon, said: “The level of hatred displayed by those threatening violence to both the local community and my officers was of an unprecedented level. Many of our officers are very young in service and while carrying out their duties of protecting the public, were ferociously attacked with missiles, including bricks, rubble, and glass bottles.

“Some missiles made contact with our officers. However, fortunately no long-term injuries were sustained. We are yet to understand the longer-term psychological effects of this traumatic experience upon officers’ health and wellbeing.

“Neighbourhood officers report that the local community is still traumatised by the events of Monday night, with businesses concerned about potential damage to their premises as well as the safety of their families. As we have previously said, we will not tolerate criminality and violent disorder in our communities.

“I reiterate to anybody who commits these types of acts, we will tirelessly look for you and deal with you robustly. Our investigation into Monday’s disorder remains ongoing, and we will strive for justice on behalf of our communities – they do not deserve to be intimidated by this behaviour.”

If anyone has further information that could assist police enquiries, contact Durham Constabulary on 101, or use the live chat function on the website. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website.

Chronicle

Dad asks judge ‘can I say two things’ after admitting role in riots

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August 12, 2024
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Harvey Gabbott admitted violent disorder in connection with the rioting in Southport on July 30

A man who admitted his role in the Southport riots told a court: “I have no hatred towards police or any other race.” Harvey Gabbott, 21 and of Hillside in Tarleton, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning, Monday, August 12 charged with violent disorder as part of a widespread police operation into recent riots across Merseyside.

Gabbott, wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and sporting blonde hair, admitted his role in the rioting on St Luke’s Road in Southport on July 30. The rioting, which saw officers pelted with bricks, vehicles set on fire and a mosque damaged, came after a peaceful vigil in Southport in memory of three young girls who died the previous day following a mass stabbing.

After Gabbott, a dad-of-one, admitted his role he asked the sitting judge if he could say two things. After District Judge Healey confirmed he could, Gabbott said: “Can I just say I have no hatred towards police or any other races. I’m nothing like that.”

Jessica Pridding, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was identified as part of Merseyside Police’s Operation Pepper Berry – the force’s probe into the recent acts of disorder in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton. She said: “There is a series of footage from the widespread disorder in Southport.

The defendant is seen wearing a long sleeve top and a bodywarmer. He is seen throwing a pint of beer-coloured liquid in the direction of police officers. He handed himself in and accepted he threw a plastic cup towards officers. He said he was nosey and didn’t expect it to get out of hand.”

In mitigation, Ibrahim Nadim, defending, said: “The defendant accepts it was beer in the glass. He had no intention of going but saw what was happening on social media. He said it was a stupid thing to do. He is a roofer who has been in full time employment for five years.

“He has no previous convictions. He has a child of six months. He bitterly regrets doing it, he doesn’t know why he did it. It was a spur of the moment decision.” Judge Healey refused the defendant bail and remanded him into custody to appear for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, August 16.

Gabbott is among 30 people who have been charged in relation with the disorder across Merseyside. Eight men have been convicted for their roles with a number of others to appear for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court later this week.

Violent clashes between police and protesters occurred on Tuesday July 30 in Southport and Saturday August 3 in Liverpool following the deaths of Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine during a mass stabbing in Southport.

Merseyside Police have so far charged 30 people in connection with the recent disorder in Southport and Liverpool. The latest number of people arrested stands at 52 and eight people have, as of August 12, been jailed.

Previously Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said the violence that had been caused by the riots was “despicable”. He added: “Each and every person who took part can expect to face the consequences of their actions. We are still working through hours of footage and reams of images as it comes in and we’ll continue to arrest, charge and put before the courts anyone identified.

“The courts have acted swiftly to jail those people who being violence, racism and hatred into our communities and that will continue into next week. To anyone intent on bringing violence and disorder to Merseyside in the future: don’t. You will join the ever growing list of people convicted and jailed for bringing violent disorder to our streets. If you recognise any of the people pictured, contact us @MerpolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 24000663787.”

Liverpool Echo