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Tag Archives: violent disorder

Teenager, 17, threw missiles at police and stole cigarettes from shop

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December 3, 2024
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155 people have been arrested in connection with violent disorder, with 110 charged and 85 sentenced to a combined 178 years and 10 months in prison

A 17-year-old boy from Southport has been given a 12-month youth referral order for Violent Disorder and burglary.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threw missiles at officers, threw a rock towards a marked police car and was also part of a large group who smashed the glass door and metal shutters on a nearby convenience store.

He was then seen to jump onto the shop counter and collect numerous items, believed to be packets of cigarettes, and put them in his pockets. The teenager was arrested following the disorder in Southport on Tuesday, July 30.

Violence originally broke out in Southport on July 30 when hundreds of people clashed with police following the deaths of three young girls – Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Da Silva Aguiar – in a mass stabbing the previous day.

Today (Tuesday December 3), he appeared at Liverpool Youth Court where he was sentenced to the youth referral order and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “Southport witnessed some terrible incidents of disorder on 30 July which have had a huge and long-lasting impact on the people who live, work and run businesses there.

“In order to reassure our communities about how seriously we take such behaviour we have continued to take action against those responsible. We know that the vast majority of the public support us in our actions and we are committed to continue to bring as many people to justice as possible.

“So far, 155 people have been arrested in connection with disorder, with 110 charged and 85 sentenced to a combined 178 years and 10 months in prison.

Liverpool Echo

Bolton man abused police and made ‘cutthroat’ action during riot

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December 3, 2024
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A Bolton man made a “cutthroat” action and shouted abuse at counter-rioters.

Joseph Bigland, 43, was present on the day of the Bolton riots on August 4.

The event saw two groups of rioters face off against each other on Victoria Square and on Bradshawgate, with police deployed to keep them apart.

The riots were seen all around the country following the stabbings of 13 people at a dance class in Southport, which caused the deaths of three children.

Bigland, who is homeless, was seen on the side of the “anti-immigration” rioters on Victoria Square.

He behaved aggressively to police officers, telling one he would “kick his balls” and shouted abuse at counter-rioters.

He appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Monday, December 2 for the offence.

Prosecuting, Philip Hall showed three videos to the hearing which demonstrated Bigland’s actions.

He said: “At 1.50pm the defendant was captured on CCTV on the side of the anti-immigration protestors.”

CCTV footage from 2.17pm was then shown, which caught Bigland holding “two pieces of wood”.

Police body-worn camera footage from 2.31pm shows that he was no longer holding the wood.

However, in it, officers instruct him to move away, to which he becomes aggressive.

He said “I will kick your balls” and “I will wrap this tripod around your head”, referencing a tripod he was holding.

Bigland also antagonised the counter-rioters, and made a series of aggressive and racist comments.

A video was also shown of him making a “cutthroat” motion with the tripod.

When he was arrested by officers on October 19, Bigland said it was “not even him”.

He has 36 previous convictions for 47 offences.

He pleaded guilty on an earlier occasion to violent disorder.

Defending, Anthony Horsfall said: “It seems it is quite apparent that the defendant took a more peripheral role.

“There was more widespread violence that day, not by him.”

Judge Jon Close said: “The reality is he participated in what involved widespread violence on people and property.

“When you are sentenced for violent disorder, it is not just for your role, but your role in assisting those who did participate.”

Mr Horsfall added: “I accept the point that he is being sentenced as part of the group responsible, but there are different roles within that.”

Judge Close then highlighted concern about a mental health assessment into Bigland which had not been done.

He said how he had been homeless for 11 years and that he had been “addicted to heavy drugs” at points.

Judge Close also highlighted a five-month stay in a psychiatric hospital that Bigland had last year, but that there was no information about any formal mental health diagnosis.

Sentencing was adjourned to Friday, December 5, for his medical records to be checked.

Bolton News

Rotherham riots: Father-of-three jailed after hurling wheelie bin at police guarding hotel

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December 3, 2024
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A father-of-three who threw rocks and a wheelie bin at riot police guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and four months.

A judge told Sonny Ackerman, 30, he would have received an even longer sentence for his part in the violence outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Rotherham, on August 4, but for his clear learning disability.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Ackerman: “I have little doubt you’re easily led. I very much doubt you even understood what the disorder was all about.”

But Judge Richardson added: “You knew what you were doing and knew it was wrong.”

Footage shown at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday showed a masked Ackerman throwing a rock at police lines at the height of the disorder outside the hotel, which was housing 240 asylum seekers.

Further video showed the defendant helping to hurl a wheelie bin at the officers trying to push back the rioters.

This happened close to a larger bin, which had been set alight against the fire door of the building.

Judge Richardson heard that Ackerman was on bail for an offence of driving while disqualified at the time of the rioting.

The judge said he had received a report from a neuropsychologist and told the defendant it was clear he had a learning disability and a very low IQ.

The judge said: “This was a disgraceful episode. It shocked the entire country. Those involved were an ignorant mob and they must be punished. You were part of that ignorant mob.”

Ackerman, of Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing and appeared in court on Tuesday (Dec 3) via videolink from prison.

He is the latest of more than 70 men who have been jailed after the rioting at the hotel.

The court heard that the residents were trapped on the upper floors of the building as rioters broke in and started the fire in a bin at one of the exits, filling the hotel with smoke.

Staff have described how they barricaded themselves into a safe room, fearing they would die.

More than 60 police officers were injured in the disorder, the court heard.

Yorkshire Post

Guilty: Darlington man caught shouting vile abuse at police

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December 2, 2024
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A Darlington man has been convicted of violent disorder after he was at the forefront as protesters clashed with police during a riot in a North East town.

Joseph MacKenzie was one of five people on trial after widespread disorder caused chaos in Middlesbrough town centre.

The 28-year-old was caught on CCTV and mobile phone footage shouting vile abuse at police officers as they struggled to maintain order when hundreds of people rampaged around the town.

Jurors watched a video compilation of MacKenzie’s movements on August 4 which showed him at the forefront of the protesters standing in the way of the police line.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, had asked PC Alan Lake how the defendant came to the attention of the police after jurors had watched a compilation of CCTV footage.

The Cleveland Police officer said: “He was heard shouting ‘we are f****** taking over’ and ‘we f****** hate you c****’.”

PC Lake said the defendant again approached the police cordon and tried to pass through, so he stepped in and arrested him as he was ‘irate and angry’.

During the trial, the defendant denied shouting abuse at the officers but accepted that he was shouting at them out of frustration.

MacKenzie, of Skeldale Grove, Darlington, was remanded in custody until he is sentenced in the new year.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said: “You have been convicted unanimously by a jury and you will be sentenced in January.

“I direct that a pre-sentence report be prepared, your counsel seeks to get further medical reports on you.

“Even though I am ordering a pre-sentence report do not take that as an indication of what your sentence will be – all sentencing options remain open.”

The charge of violent disorder against 38-year-old Anthony Brown, of Windsor Road, Middlesbrough, was dropped following a direction from the judge.

He was found not guilty of a charge of assaulting an emergency worker.

Charges against a fourth man, Christopher Howard, were dropped on the second day of the trial when the prosecution offered no evidence against the 42-year-old Middlesbrough man.

A fifth defendant, Ethan Bowes, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon on the day of the trial.

The 19-year-old, of Woodhouse Road, Guisborough, will be sentenced on January 14 next year and was remanded in custody while a pre-sentence report was completed.

The trial continues as jurors continue to consider the verdict in the case of Peacock-Lightfoot, 20, of Dixon Grove, Middlesbrough.

Northern Echo

Fleetwood man, 21, threw bottles at police and encouraged JD Sports looters during Blackpool riots

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November 29, 2024
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A Fleetwood man threw bottles at police and cheered on yobs as they attempted to loot a store during the riots in Blackpool.

Violent disturbances broke out following a protest in the resort on Saturday, August 3.

Morgan Spencer, 21, was identified by police at various scenes of the disorder.

CCTV showed him in Talbot Square where he joined others in running at a police van and throwing bottles at officers.

He then joined the protestors as they moved to Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Spencer cheered on the group as they attacked security guards and attempted to loot the JD Sports store.

He was then seen throwing bottles and chairs at a group of people from the Rebellion Festival in St John’s Square.

Spencer, of Windsor Terrace, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

He was subsequently jailed for two years and nine months by a judge at Preston Crown Court on Friday (November 22).

Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards, of Lancashire Police, said: “Morgan Spencer clearly played a role at different locations in the disgraceful disorder in Blackpool on August 3.

“He was involved in abhorrent behaviour where police officers and members of the public were subjected to threats and violence.

“Such behaviour is not welcome in Lancashire and will not be tolerated in our county.

“A number of people have been brought to justice for their role in the disorder and I welcome the sentence in this case.”

Blackpool Gazette

Pair given youth detention for migrant hotel attack

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November 29, 2024
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Two men have been given custodial sentences for taking part in a violent protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Joe Howell, 20, and Alby Brannan, 18, hurled objects at Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 31 July, police said.

The pair, from Ash, Surrey, pleaded guilty at Salisbury Crown Court to violent disorder.

Howell, who also admitted assaulting an emergency worker, was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months, while Brannan was given an 18-month sentence.

More than 200 protesters gathered at the hotel, as part of the rioting that swept across England in the days after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, the court previously heard.

A small group of men entered the car park, kicked footballs against windows and damaged blinds and a perimeter wall, the court was told.

The protesters shouted slogans including “we want our country back” and “get ’em gone”, leaving hotel residents “petrified”, Judge Rufus Taylor previously said.

Howell, of Bareham Drive, hurled bicycles at the hotel and banged on doors, while Brannan, of Winchester Road, threw fireworks, police said.

Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern said: “We know that the majority of people who attended this protest in Aldershot were respectful.

“However, Howell and Brannan were part of a smaller group that chose to act in an aggressive and intimidating manner.

“Their behaviour that day spiralled out of control and caused fear of violence to those inside the hotel and our officers. Our message is clear – this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

BBC News

‘Good’ dad bitten by police dog as he hurled beer cans at officers during riot

By
November 28, 2024
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He’ll now miss his daughter’s first birthday after being jailed

A dad who threw beer cans at police officers protecting a hotel full of asylum seekers and was bitten by a police dog has been jailed for 30 months.

Tommy McQuaker, 29, will miss his daughter’s first birthday this weekend after he was ordered to serve at least 12 months in prison for his part in “extreme” disorder on August 4 outside Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express hotel that arose in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings.

When McQuaker arrived at the scene that evening, a fire had already been set inside the foyer of the hotel with around 300 protesters throwing missiles including fireworks, a petrol bomb, bricks, chunks of concrete, lampposts and makeshift flamethrowers at Staffordshire Police officers who were trying to protect those inside.

Judge John Gosling said the incident was a “siege” which involved serious violence and racist and abusive language and that McQuaker was not a ringleader but part of a mob.

Stafford Crown Court heard on Thursday that McQuaker, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, wore dark clothing, a hoodie and a balaclava to disguise himself as he pulled at least four cans of beer out of a bag and launched them at a line of officers.

At around 9.20pm, a police dog handler and police dog Vixen were deployed, with the handler giving “repeated warnings to the baying mob, including the defendant, to move back or they may be bitten”, prosecution barrister Rajbir Punia said.

When the defendant did not move, he was set upon by PD Vixen who bit his leg to “discourage him from taking part in further violent behaviour”.

Ms Punia said: “He shouted ‘get your f****** dog off me’, which appeared to incite the nearby crowd. He fuelled an already hostile crowd, leaving the police dog handler vulnerable and in fear.

“He called for help but colleagues were unable to assist him as they too were coming under attack. He said this was the first time in his 10-year career that he felt he was in trouble.”

Ms Punia said the events at the hotel was an “unacceptable, relentless attack” on both police and hotel residents, which forced staff members to run to the loft for safety as smoke bombs and other missiles were hurled at the premises and fires were set.

Defending, Christopher O’Gorman told the court that McQuaker’s “inexplicable” behaviour had had a serious effect on his family, including his children and partner, and that he was suffering as his beloved grandmother died while he was in custody.

He said: “Men have appeared before this court for offences arising out of this disturbance for whom prison is an occupational hazard and missing their family is part of that occupational hazard while they serve their time.

“There are reasons that are unique to Mr McQuaker that bear a burden that will no doubt remind him every day of the utterly reprehensible and shocking behaviour he indulged in that evening.

“He genuinely regrets his inexplicable decision to get involved in that disturbance that night, but the regret will stay with him for the rest of his life.

“He is a good father. His daughter is one this weekend and he has missed a third of her life by getting himself remanded in custody because of the terrible behaviour he took part in.

“He knows he only has himself to blame for all of this. There is a handwritten letter from his nan. She is no longer here to read the letter out herself and he will think about that every day.”

Stoke Sentinel

Man warned he faces likely prison sentence for role in Hull riot

By
November 28, 2024
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Andrew Wardrobe pleaded guilty to violent disorder

The latest troublemaker to appear in court after the serious scenes of mob violence in Hull city centre in August has been warned that he faces a likely prison sentence.

Andrew Wardrobe was brought in custody before Hull Crown Court, where he appeared in the secure dock for a charge of violent disorder to be put to him.

Wardrobe, 54, of Falkland Road, Greatfield estate, east Hull, pleaded guilty to committing the offence on August 3. His behaviour was part of 12 hours of trouble in the city that day.

The disturbances in Hull included rowdy and violent scenes outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, which was being used at the time to house asylum seekers. There were confrontations with police, who were forming a protective line.

There were also disturbances in Queen Victoria Square, Jameson Street and at a garage. Details on Wardrobe’s involvement in the disorder will be given at a later stage.

Sentence on Wardrobe was adjourned for a psychiatric report to be prepared on him. Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Wardrobe had suffered problems. He was further remanded in custody.

Judge Mark Bury warned Wardrobe that he faced a likely prison sentence at the next hearing.

When the case of Wardrobe was mentioned at a different point of the day, Judge Bury asked if any co-defendants with the surnames Lion and Witch were going to be brought before the court. He was told that there would be no defendants with those names appearing in court.

Hull Daily Mail

Man says ‘love ya’ as he’s jailed for what he did in Pret A Manger

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November 27, 2024
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Adam Harvey thanked the judge before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters

A man emptied the contents of a fire extinguisher over customers at Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee in Liverpool ONE. Adam Harvey was identified by police from the “distinctive” tattoos on his neck after embarking upon a rampage of violence across Liverpool city centre.

The thug also launched a can at an officer’s head and hurled a brick at a van before breaking into a phone shop. He now says he “got carried away” after widespread disturbances erupted following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar in Southport.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that Harvey was involved in the incident of “mass disorder” in central Liverpool on August 3 this year. The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was first seen on camera at around 3pm on the day in question, being identified in footage via the “distinctive tattoos on either side of his neck” by a PC with whom he had had previous dealings.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, described how he thereafter launched a can of beer after forming part of a crowd around 300 people near to the Liver Building, with this missile striking a police officer in the head. PC Rachel Judge, who was not wearing a protective helmet at this stage, was also hit by a second object thrown by a second person and rendered unconscious.

Harvey was later seen throwing another object as he crossed the Strand and chucking a brick at a police carrier van as an officer was driving the vehicle away. As he subsequently made his way through Liverpool ONE with a group of other men shortly, he was shown on CCTV letting off a fire extinguisher over customers who were sitting outside Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee on Paradise Street.

He was then part of a mob who looted iFix phone repair shop on Church Street, being shown in one clip reaching underneath shutters at the storefront and helping himself to a box before throwing the item back inside the premises after realising that it was empty. Harvey was subsequently arrested November 20 and made no comment to detectives when interviewed.

His criminal record shows a total of 34 convictions for 51 offences – including assaulting a police officer and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour in 2004, shoplifting in 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2013, criminal damage in 2012, a public order offence in 2018 and affray and theft in 2021.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “There are personal circumstances which do not in truth mitigate that which he did, but perhaps give some understanding of how he found himself in this position and got carried away with what was going on.

“Historically, he has had a problem with drink. During the course of the last two years, he has done a lot to try to alleviate that problem from his life with some relative success.

“He received bad family news in the spring regarding an illness that his father has, which is a serious illness. As a consequence of that, he fell back into his old ways and started drinking again.

“On the day in question, while not being involved in the planning of the disorder that took place in the city centre, he was in Liverpool with friends and he was participating in drink. When this disorder struck up, he got himself involved.”

Harvey admitted violent disorder, burglary and assaulting an emergency services worker. Appearing in the dock wearing a prison issue jumper, he was jailed for 34 months.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “This case stems from events in the summer following the killing of three children in Southport. There was, the following day, mob violence on a significant scale which itself spawned copycat mob violence in other locations across the country.

“This all had a far reaching impact on the people of Merseyside. Those who choose to participate in such disorder – including causing damage and fear to communities, taking part in looting of shops and causing injury to police officers – will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”

Harvey replied “thank you judge” before turning to the public gallery and smiling to his supporters. He then gave a thumbs up as he was led to the cells and added: “Love yas.”

Liverpool Echo

Three people sentenced for violent disorder in Merseyside

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November 27, 2024
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Three people were sentenced yesterday, Tuesday 26 November, for their role in violent disorder in Merseyside.

The three offenders appeared in court after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that on Saturday 3 August, 25-year-old Keelan Woodhead travelled from Telford to attend the disorder in Liverpool city centre and on County Road, Walton where he received an injury to his hand which required medical treatment. He disclosed to hospital staff that he had thrown bricks at police which resulted in his hand injury. Woodhead was also identified as throwing an item at a police vehicle and he was arrested the next day, Sunday 4 August.

Woodhead, of Tilia Green in Telford, pleaded guilty and was jailed for one year and five months in prison.

Christopher Dean of Byfleet Close in Wigan pleaded guilty for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July.

Dean was one of the first to throw items towards the officers, including a wheelie bin directly at them. The court heard that he also participated in racial chanting.

The 35-year-old was jailed for two years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

A 14-year-old girl from Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty for her role in violent disorder and theft on County Road, Walton on Saturday 3 August.

Liverpool Youth Court heard that she threw missiles towards officers and was part of a group who attacked a police vehicle and a lone officer. The group then went into a Go Local store on Delamore Street and she stole a pack of soft drinks. In addition, while a cash register was thrown on the floor by group member, she then stole money from the till before fleeing.

Yesterday the teenage offender received a 12-month referral order and fined £200 compensation.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This latest sentencing yesterday showed that the three offenders played an active part in the shocking scenes of violent disorder we all witnessed in Southport and Liverpool.

“We continue to remain steadfast in our investigation to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside by reviewing more than 12,000 pieces of footage, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

An investigation into the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool is ongoing. The total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 151, with 110 charged and 84 sentenced to a combined 176 years.

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