A number of people have appeared in court in connection with a series of riots and violent disorder which took place in the summer across the North East.
Defendants from around the region were charged following outbreaks of largescale disorder in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool as well as smaller disturbances in Darlington and Willington in late July early August.
Judge Francis Laird KC dealt with about 20 defendants throughout a day of hearings to set trial dates and sentencing hearings.
Rachel Masters, prosecuting, handled the cases and brought together several defendants into different trial dates in the coming months.
Leah Lee, of Hall Lane Estate, Willington, has pleaded guilty to racially aggravated damage to property after she smashed a window during a violent disturbance in the town on August 5.
A charge of violent disorder was allowed to lay on file.
The court heard how the teenager called a man a ‘P*** b******’ after smashing a window.
The 19-year-old was remanded in custody until she is sentenced on Friday, November 8.
Tabitha Buck, representing the teenager, asked for a pre-sentence report to be conducted as her client was a vulnerable young woman.
Judge Laird warned the teenager that she is facing a custodial sentence for her behaviour.
Andrew Livingstone, Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, who has pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article following the violent disorder in the town on August 4.
The judge heard how the 53-year-old’s home had been targeted by a group of youths and he came out to chase them away.
Tabitha Buck, representing the defendant, said he handed over one of the youths to the police before they discovered he was carrying a knife.
Judge Laird KC said: “You are in a different position to many of those who have appeared before me charged with violent disorder from these events.
“As I understand it, you were at your home and people came to cause trouble and you chased them away.
“Unfortunately for you, you had a knife on you at the time. It is accepted that it was not produced.”
Livingstone will return to court next week to be sentenced.
A teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced on Thursday, October 10, for his behaviour in Middlesbrough on August 4.
Paul Thirlwell, of Gloucester Crescent, Wigan; 19-year-old McCauley Shirbon, of Cornwall Street, Hartlepool; and 42-year-old Anthony Allen, of Ormesby Road, Hartlepool; are all accused of being involved in violent disorder in Hartlepool on July 31.
All three had earlier entered a not guilty plea to the charge.
The 42-year-old Thirlwell pleaded guilty to a charge of racially aggravated common assault from the same date.
All three cases were joined together and a five-day trial will start on December 3.
Karl Croaker, of Longford Street, Middlesbrough, who is charged with violent disorder in Middlesbrough on August 4.
The 31-year-old denies the charge and will go on trial on February 3, 2025 alongside other co-accused.
Regan Walker, 23, of Saltney Road, Norton, near Stockton, had pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a metal bar, when he was allegedly spotted holding it while on Park Road North, Middlesbrough.
Connor Stokes, 26, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, had pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.
While Lucas Taylor, 44, of Worcester Street, Middlesbrough, is also due to go on trial with the two other defendants after he was charged with violent disorder.
They will go on trial in February.
Ethan Bowes, 18, of Woodhouse, Road, Guisborough, 42-year-old Christopher Howard, of Huntley Close, Middlesbrough, 20-year-old Kaleb Peacock-Lightfoot, of Dixon Grove, Middlesbrough, and Anthony Brown, 37, of Windsor Road, Middlesbrough, have all pleaded not guilty to violent disorder from events on August 4.
Their cases were all joined together and the trial will take place on November 25 this year.
Judge Laird KC remanded them in custody until that date.
Jordan Gibson sighed and scoffed throughout the court hearing
A dad of two who hurled missiles at police and joined in racist chants in Southport has become the latest to appear in the docks at Liverpool Crown Court.
Jordan Gibson, from Whelley, Wigan, was part of a 1,000-strong mob which descended on the town on Tuesday, July 30, one day after the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar.
Gibson, 33, had travelled to the town to lay flowers at a vigil in memory of the three girls. But as grieving families and members of the community left the area, he joined a huge gang outside a mosque on nearby St Luke’s Road, where violence quickly broke out as police were called to the scene.
Gibson, wearing a distinctive bright green jacket, was caught on camera running about the chaos, hurling bricks and debris at police officers while joining in with racist chants of “we want our country back” and “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah”. He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, September 9, where he joined several other rioters behind bars after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
So far 96 people have been arrested in connection with the mob violence. Of these, 61 have been charged and 44 – including Gibson – have been sentenced, with Merseyside Police promising “there will be many more to come”.
Prosecutor Louise McClusky said: “Gibson was identifiable on the day due to a distinctive green top with a yellow zig-zag pattern. He was an active participant throughout. He was part of the main crowd instigating violence towards police. In the footage he can be seen bouncing on his toes, apparently revelling in the chaos. He points towards officers and joined in chants.”
Video footage was played to the court showed Gibson running about at the front of the baying crowd, grabbing a wheelie bin and pushing it at a police van. He was also seen jumping up and down and clapping his hands, and hurling missiles towards the police. Around 50 officers were injured during the violence; residents’ properties were damaged, local businesses were looted, and a £100k police carrier was set on fire.
Ms McClusky said: “This defendant was not caught in a moment of madness. His actions were persistent and determined. He was at the front of the crowd, rushing towards police officers who were trying to bring peace in an already troubled area.”
Gibson, a dad of two, repeatedly sighed and scoffed throughout the hearing as Ms McClusky informed the court of his four convictions for six past offences, including the racially aggravated assault of a taxi driver.
Mike Haggerty, defending, said: “This defendant handed himself into the police and he did make a full admission. The defendant had initially entered the area for lawful purposes, initially to lay flowers. But regrettably he became influenced by the crowd, and very much to his regret he became involved in the behaviour you have seen. He was in the most obvious clothing and his actions were spontaneous rather than pre-meditated.
“He very much regrets his actions. He’s both disgusted and ashamed of his behaviour, as are his family.”
Judge Louise Brandon said Gibson, along with others, had used the tragic killings of Bebe, Elsie and Alice as an excuse to carry out violent disorder, which was “motivated by racial hatred”. She said: “This was, without a doubt, racially motivated disorder targeting primarily the Muslim community but also the police officers. This particular incident was made all the more serious by the fact that it took place soon after the tragic events of the previous day, and distress of the local community who, to their greatest credit, came out the very next day to clean up.
“You (Gibson) were an enthusiastic and active participant, positioned yourself at the front of the mob and clearly thoroughly enjoying the chaos and harm that you and other thugs around you were creating.” She sentenced Gibson to 30 months in prison.
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.
Charles Lander, defending, said Chistopher Beard has a 12-week-old daughter and is about to become a grandfather as his older child is expecting.
A father who was seen at the front of a crowd with a “maniacal grin” during disorder in Southport has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Christopher Beard was shown on footage “shouting”, “gesticulating” and throwing objects towards police officers at the front of a crowd which gathered outside a mosque in the Merseyside town on July 30, the day after three girls died in a knife attack, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
Louise McCloskey, prosecuting, said Beard, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was seen as police vehicles tried to move but were hit by the crowd.
She said: “The defendant is turning and laughing, with what can only be described as a maniacal grin, towards the crowd.”
He was seen piling wheelie bins on top of each other and throwing missiles towards the police, including a large piece of wood, the court heard.
Ms McCloskey said: “The defendant remains in the midst of the crowd, seemingly enjoying the chaos.”
Charles Lander, defending, said the 33-year-old has a 12-week-old daughter and is about to become a grandfather as his older child, aged 19, is expecting a baby in December.
He said Beard, of Stewart Road in Wigan, had been working in the area and had gone to “show some respect”.
He has since lost his job, the court heard.
Sentencing, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “It is no mitigation at all to say you, or some of you, went simply to pay your respects. That lies ill in the mouth of any of you, given your subsequent behaviour.”
He added: “There’s footage of you literally building a bonfire in the middle of the road, pulling wheelie bins on top of each other.”
Beard was sentenced alongside Lee Powell, 46, who claimed he was not politically motivated but was in the area to lay flowers and became “trapped” on the wrong side of the police line as he tried to get back to his car.
Judge Menary said he “utterly” rejected that account.
He said: “Your role was not some benign one. You abused officers at close quarters and on two occasions, for sure, you threw an item or items at officers.
“You were, in the classical sense, a member of the mob, giving out encouragement to the group.”
Powell, of Fountains Road, Liverpool, was jailed for two years and four months for violent disorder.
Adam Latty, 24, from Southport, who has been sentenced to 20 months for violent disorder in the town (Merseyside Police/PA)
The court heard Adam Latty, 24, of Radnor Drive, Southport, was identified by a distinctive tattoo on his arm, after he took his top off and tied it around the lower part of his face.
Ms McCloskey said he was seen throwing missiles, including a glass bottle, toward police.
Charles Lander, defending, said he was of previous good character and worked as a contractor in the water industry but had now lost his job.
Judge Menary said: “It is a great shame someone of your past character should find yourself in the dock of a crown court facing such a serious and utterly pointless criminal offence.”
Latty was jailed for 20 months after admitting violent disorder at an earlier hearing.
A man who had a “maniacal grin” on his face while he built a bonfire, piled up wheelie bins and threw objects at police during unrest outside a Merseyside mosque on 30 July has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Christopher Beard, 33, is about to become a grandfather but he lost his job since he was caught on footage “enjoying the chaos”, the court heard.
Louise McCloskey, prosecuting, said that in the video – taken as police vehicles tried to move away – Beard could be seen “turning and laughing, with what can only be described as a maniacal grin, towards the crowd”.
Charles Lander, defending, said Beard, from Wigan, had been working in the area and had gone to “show some respect”.
Sentencing, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “It is no mitigation at all to say you, or some of you, went simply to pay your respects. That lies ill in the mouth of any of you, given your subsequent behaviour.”
“There’s footage of you literally building a bonfire in the middle of the road, pulling wheelie bins on top of each other.”
Rioters have blamed a charity walk which “got out of hand”, an ill-fated trip to Gravity Max and being blackmailed by an older brother for their involvement in the disorder.
Violent scenes flared up in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar last month.
Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on the evening of July 30. A planned protest at the Pier Head the following Saturday then descended into violence, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.
The disturbances continued on County Road that night as chaos, violence and destruction ensued as looters targeted businesses in the area, including a fire being started at Spellow Library and Community Hub. Here, the ECHO has taken a look at some of the excuses defendants have given to the courts and to the police for becoming embroiled within the events.
A 14-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons
A 14-year-old boy from South Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 5. Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting told the court that this related to the teenager throwing fireworks at a police van near to B&M on Clayton Square in Liverpool city centre, a store which had earlier been “looted”.
He was found with five fireworks and a lighter following his arrest and told officers: “I’m sorry. I wasn’t firing them at you though.”
His solicitor Iqbal Kang told the judge: “He has no prior convictions whatsoever, he has never been in trouble with the police before. It is completely out of character for him.
“He tells me he headed into the city centre with the intention of catching a bus home. He was on his own. It seems, perhaps through inexperience and lack of maturity, he became involved with people he did not know who were offering out fireworks.
“He says he does not know why he became involved, but did not think things through. He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance.
“He has had plenty of time to think about his actions. He has spent two nights in custody. He understands how foolish and silly he has been and wishes he could turn the clock back.
“It is completely out of the blue. One could positively say if he had not been heading into the city centre to catch a bus, we would not be convened here like this.”
The boy will be sentenced at the youth court on August 27. He was released on bail until this date under conditions not to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcode areas.
Declan Geiran
Declan Geiran (Image: Merseyside Police)
Declan Geiran formed part of a “large group of males” who “attacked and damaged” a police van which had been parked near to St George’s Hall, including attempting to tip the vehicle over. A video which was later posted on TikTok showed the 29-year-old, of Kelso Road in Kensington, beside the open driver’s window and setting a seatbelt on fire before smoke was seen billowing from the cab.
CCTV footage captured him thereafter “remaining at the scene” and “sitting casually on the fountain outside the Walker Art Gallery watching the police van”, which was written off as a result of damage caused during the incident. He then filmed the scenes on his mobile phone as he left the area.
Geiran was however arrested after being “easily identified by his backpack, clothing and tattoos”, with lighters being seized from him upon his detention. Under interview, he told detectives that he had attended the protests alone as he “wanted to show his support for the bereaved families”.
Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, added: “He stated that he saw the van and heard shouts of ‘burn the van’. He said he was told to burn a book under the seat. He didn’t, but set fire to the seatbelt.
“He stated that he felt under pressure and that he did not believe his actions had caused the damage. He stated that he had not gone out to act violently and denied any negative thoughts on immigration or political issues.”
Geiran admitted violent disorder and arson. He was locked up for 30 months at the crown court on Wednesday, August 7.
Jordan Davies
Jordan Davies (Image: Merseyside Police)
Balaclava clad Jordan Davies brandished a knife near to the scene of a vigil for the victims of the Southport knife attacks then claimed that his daughter had been “stabbed up”. Just over 24 hours on from the fatal stabbings, children and families fled in terror after Jordan Davies was spotted carrying a flick knife a mere matter of minutes away from the scene.
One terrified dad even asked for his family to be locked inside a shop as the incident unfolded. Following his arrest, the mindless thug maintained that he had found the weapon while urinating near to a Tesco Express store after downing cans of cider and said he was intending to hand the item in to the police.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, August 9, that the “Southport community came together for a vigil” at 6pm on Tuesday, July 30, following the “tragedy” the previous day. Davies, of Portland Street in the town, was then seen in possession of the weapon a “short distance” away on Eastbank Street, near to the Wellington pub and a branch of KFC, at around 6.45pm.
Mr Taylor described how members of the public “ran and screamed” after a woman was heard to shout “he’s got a knife”. One witness, Michael Hayes, had been laying flowers at the scene with his partner, kids and friends and was forced to “push them into the nearby Baltic Supermarket for safety”.
Another, Claire Oldham, meanwhile saw Davies “approaching other males with the blade out”. The 32-year-old was also said to have pulled down a balaclava over his face during the altercation.
Police officers subsequently found him “hiding behind a pillar” near to a snooker hall on Princes Street. While he initially “denied having anything on him”, the knife was then discovered inside a bag which he had been wearing around his neck.
Davies then claimed he had “simply picked the bag up” and was in the area “for a peaceful protest”. He added that “his daughter had been stabbed up and he had been assaulted”.
Footage taken from a PC’s body worn camera was played to the court, and captured him saying: “I’ve got the bag off the floor, that’s it. I’ve got nothing on me.”
When told why he was being detained, Davies replied: “Cos of yesterday and I look a bit foreign? Are you kidding me? I understand what’s gone on, my daughter’s been stabbed. That’s not my bag. I’ve just picked the bag up.
“How’ve I got a lock knife on my f***ing person? I’ve just picked the bag up. My daughter’s been stabbed up. How’ve I got a knife on me? I just picked the bag up off the floor.”
Under interview following his arrest, Davies stated that he had earlier consumed “three to four ciders” at home and “picked up the pouch” while urinating near to a Tesco Express store “with the intention of placing it in an amnesty or taking it to a police station”. He added that he was only “seeking to do a good act”.
Davies admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place and breaching a suspended sentence order. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and wearing short dark hair, he nodded as he was jailed for two years.
A previous 16-week suspended sentence which was previously imposed upon him in June was also activated in full and ordered to run consecutively to this term, leading to a total sentence of two years and 16 weeks. Davies was meanwhile handed a serious violence reduction order, which will commence upon his release and last for two years thereafter, with forfeiture and destruction of the knife being ordered.
Dylan Carey
Dylan Carey (Image: Merseyside Police)
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday, August 12, that Carey was captured on CCTV mobile phone and body worn camera footage throwing items including a tin of paint and a bottle at officers, as well as kicking out at police vans. One PC later recognised him at Southport Station in the company of his girlfriend and dad from videos which had been circulated on X, formerly Twitter.
When spoken to, the 26-year-old “accepted he had been present but denied involvement”. But Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, described how he was then arrested at his home address on Castle Hill Road in Hindley, Wigan, on August 5.
Under interview, he “said he had travelled to lay some flowers and light a candle with his pregnant girlfriend” and then decided to attend the “peaceful protest” after seeing it advertised on a Facebook post. But, while there, he claimed he “grew angrier and began to throw items himself”.
Carey has no previous convictions. Colin Buckle, defending, told the court: “His intention was not to travel to Southport with criminal intent. He became involved by his own hand, he was not forced. The mood began to change, others began to behave in this way and he joined in. He cannot explain why. Their intention was to go in respect of what they believed to be a peaceful vigil. Things turned from that. Of course, he involved himself.
“The impact on him of a potentially lengthy custodial sentence is that that sentence will be exacted upon him in respect of the loss of his liberty, of course, but moreover due to the fact that, if your honour returns him to custody, he will miss the birth of his child.
“The couple have suffered from two miscarriages. The child they are expecting has complications. It is an uncertain time. He has been a rock to her. Of course, she has lost him by his own hand and his behaviour.
Carey, who was seen blowing kisses to his supporters in the public gallery during the hearing, admitted violent disorder. Wearing a white shirt and black tie in the dock, he was jailed for 18 months as his partner sat in tears with her head in her hands.
Philip Prescott
Philip Prescott (Image: Merseyside Police)
Philip Prescott, of Sefton Street in Southport, was seen on CCTV and video footage captured by a police helicopter taking items out of a bin and hurling them towards police officers before “others followed suit”. The 38-year-old then “dragged another wheelie bin” towards a cordon formed by PCs before removing further objects and throwing them.
He subsequently kicked the wall of a residential property and climbed into the garden before running towards officers in possession of a brick, which he “launched towards” them. Prescott thereafter returned to the damaged wall once more and threw further bricks, including at the window of a police van.
Following his arrest on Lord Street in the town on August 5, he gave a prepared statement under interview in which he “said he had been drinking and was very upset by the death of the three children”. He then “heard there was something happening near to St Luke’s and went to see what was happening” and, although he could not recall his actions due to being under the influence of alcohol, stated that he was “ashamed by what he did and was sorry”.
Prescott admitted violent disorder. He gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells after receiving 28 months in prison on Tuesday, August 13.
Tony Hazlett
Tony Hazlett (Image: Merseyside Police)
Tony Hazlett was captured on CCTV throwing two missiles in the direction of the police. When officers went to the 46-year-old’s home on Bank Road in Bootle on August 7, he was described as being “very drunk” and resisted arrest in a violent struggle. He later told police: “I’m sorry. I just did it because everyone was doing it.”
Hazlett explained that he had travelled by train to Southport with friends and accepted he threw “two pieces of slate” before leaving shortly after. The dad-of-six admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 28 months on Thursday, August 15.
Curtis Faure
Curtis Faure (Image: Merseyside Police)
Curtis Faure was captured in a single photograph “leaning back with a brick in his hand, about to throw it” on the Strand. The 19-year-old, of Thomas Lane in Broadgreen, handed himself in at Marsh Lane Police Station on the afternoon of August 8 after this image was circulated in the media by Merseyside Police.
He stated under interview that he “intended to go to Gravity Max when he heard about a riot on the Dock Road and wanted to see what was going on”. Faure told detectives that he had been present for up to half an hour and “picked up a single brick and threw it at police officers”, but said that the missile had not connected.
The teen added that he “could not provide an explanation why he behaved in that way” and maintained that his actions were not racially motivated, his parents originally being from South Africa. He has no previous convictions.
Faure admitted violent disorder. He was jailed for a year on Thursday, August 15.
George Clements
George Clements (Image: Merseyside Police)
Clements was captured on mobile phone footage near to a shop on Church Street which had been targeted by louts. The 18-year-old – of Egerton Street in New Brighton, Wirral – was shown with a brown scarf covering his face and “aggressively approaching” an older male with grey hair who was carrying a shopping bag.
He then turned his attention to a “male with an olive skin tone”, hitting out at his hand before being ushered away by another man. The teen however “broke free” and confronted the same victim again, kicking him to the area of his hip in what was said to have been a “racially motivated” attack.
Clements thereafter “gestured towards his penis” and “made a masturbation gesture”. He and another man then ran towards the older complainant, sparking other members of the public to intervene.
The thugs were then seen running away as sirens were heard in the background of the video. Clements was identified after this footage – which showed a child in a wheelchair in the vicinity on the violence – was shared on social media, leading to his arrest at his home address on August 9.
Julian Nutter, defending, told the court: “He did not go into town to participate in these unfortunate events. He went for a meal and became drunk. Things kicked off. He got drawn in, being the young fool he is, and acted in the reprehensible manner he did. He is not part of the looting. What we can see is disorderly behaviour.”
Clements admitted affray and breaching a suspended sentence order. He was nodded and smiled after he was jailed for two years on Thursday, August 15, then waved to his supporters in the public gallery as he was led down to the cells.
Ellis Wharton
Ellis Wharton (Image: Merseyside Police)
Brothers Adam and Ellis Wharton, both of Selwyn Street in Kirkdale, admitted burglary with intent to steal at Spellow Library. Mr Taylor told Liverpool Crown Court: “At about 2am, officers were alerted by the National Police Air Service that persons had entered that library.
“PC [Thomas] Nielsen entered the library and saw Ellis Wharton in possession of a computer monitor. He was told to put it down and he did. He was told he would be arrested. Once secured, he said ‘I’m sorry, I’ve been blackmailed by my brother to do it and made a stupid decision. I’m sorry’.”
Adam Wharton was then detained on nearby Dunluce Street, having been circulated as wanted after “acting as a lookout”. The 28-year-old was found in possession of a balaclava at this time while also “sweating profusely”.
Ellis Wharton, 22, told detectives under interview that his brother had “knocked on his door asking him to go out with him” with the “indication that they would go looting”. Mr Taylor added: “Adam, he said, kept a lookout while he entered. The plan was to take monitors to sell. He denied any violence or disorder and simply stated that they joined the group to loot.”
Adam Wharton was jailed for 20 months on Thursday, August 8. Ellis Wharton, who also pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker, was imprisoned for 11 months.
Paul Daintith
Paul Daintith (Image: Merseyside Police)
Paul Daintith, of Fraser Street in Liverpool city centre, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public after he was spotted by police officers on East Street in Southport walking from a bush “at a quickening pace”. When stopped, he claimed that he had “just found a craft knife” and lifted his top up to PCs to show them the weapon within his waistband.
Following his arrest, Daintith stated that “he was a smackhead who picks everything up”. He was jailed for eight months on Friday, August 16.
Joshua Jones
Joshua Jones (Image: Merseyside Police)
A “football hooligan” claimed to have attended a three-mile charity walk in memory of the victims of the Southport stabbings before “things got out of hand” and he repeatedly hurled missiles towards police officers as violent scenes unfolded. Joshua Jones, of St Marks Road in Chester, was captured on video footage with his face covered by a scarf as he threw a series of objects towards PCs.
Mr Taylor, appearing for the prosecution, described how the 31-year-old also “moved forward with the surging crowd” and filmed the events on his mobile phone, having been “present from the start” and thereafter “front and centre”. Merseyside Police subsequently seized two samurai swords from his home when they attended in order to arrest him on the afternoon of August 12.
Under interview, he “stated that he went to Southport to attend the vigil” and “referenced taking part in a three-mile charity walk to support the murdered children”. Jones declined to watch any of the CCTV and said he “couldn’t remember anything” due to his undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD and autism.
However, he “acknowledged that things got out of hand”. Of the weapons discovered in his property, he added that the items had “been in the family for years” and said they “never left the house”.
Jones has a total of 15 previous convictions for 26 offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, entering the playing area at a football match, breaching a football banning order, possession of a banned fighting dog, theft and criminal damage. Judge Neil Flewitt KC compared his record to that of a “football hooligan who appears to enjoy disorder in large groups”.
He was also handed a 26-week imprisonment suspended for 18 months by magistrates in March this year for assaulting an emergency services worker after pushing a police officer “with force” and “pushing his thumb into a constable’s eye” during a domestic altercation. Charles Lander, defending, told the court: “He is totally ashamed of his actions.
“He could not bear to watch the video. He is embarrassed, particularly at how he has let down the families of the deceased and injured children, the wider community and also his own family.
“His partner has stood by him and is particularly tearful in court today. Once again, he is going to be apart from her for his own stupid actions. He maintains that he went there for lawful reasons but stupidly got involved.”
The judge said of this: “I have enormous difficultly accepting that from a man who is prone to violence and hooliganism. There is a very strong inference here that he went to Southport to join in the disorder.”
Mr Lander continued: “My instructions are that he did not. The three-mile walk was his intention. Ultimately, I do not seek to minimise his behaviour. The camera speaks for itself.
“Clearly, the defendant has suffered significant tragedy in the last few years. His brother died tragically from carbon monoxide poisoning, his father also died as a result of an unfortunate incident and his mother passed away last year.”
Jones, who previously worked as the manager of a gym in Spain, admitted violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and breaching a suspended sentence order. His partner sat in tears in the public gallery as he was jailed for 38 months.
Sentencing, Judge Flewitt said: “Given your previous convictions, in particular your history of football hooliganism, I view with some scepticism the suggestion that you travelled to Southport to take part in a vigil. The fact that you so willingly again took part in violence towards the police causes me to doubt your expressions of remorse.”
A man who joined in racist chants and threw objects at police during disorder in Southport has been jailed.
Tommy Callaghan, 32, of Platt Bridge, Wigan, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse at Liverpool Crown Court.
Footage was played showing him in a “large and aggressive mob” on 30 July, after a vigil had taken place for three girls killed in a knife attack in the town.
Callaghan was sentenced to two years and two months for violent disorder.
The riot broke out after hundreds had gathered for a vigil to remember Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class a day earlier.
Misinformation about the suspect shared online led to disorder in towns and cities across the UK.
Judge Denis Watson KC told Callaghan he was one of those who repeated racist chants “with your left arm and fist raised as you chanted and gesticulated in rhythm” before “surging forward at the police line”.
He added: “You picked up part of a brick, threw it at police, then picked up a second missile even before the first had landed.”
Peter White, defending, said Callaghan had put his gas engineering business, which employs three people, and the mortgaged home he shares with his partner and nine-month-old daughter at risk.
He said Callaghan had travelled to Southport, about 25 miles from his home, to attend the vigil.
Mr White said the defendant had no racially or religiously prejudiced beliefs but had “gone along with the mob”.
The men faced a range of charges including burglary and possession of a controlled drug
Five men have appeared in court in connection with the recent disorder in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.
The men attended Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 12, after being charged by Cleveland Police with a range of offences following the violence which erupted in Hartlepool on Wednesday, July 31, and in Middlesbrough last Sunday, August 4.
The court appearances follow violence across the country in protests organised by far right and anti-immigration groups. See details of the cases below:
Evan James Wilkins-Doyle, 19, of The Spinney, Hartlepool appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with violent disorder. It is alleged that on July 31, on Murray Street, Hartlepool, he used or threatened unlawful violence when present together with others being three or more persons. Wilkins-Doyle did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 29.
Bradley Playford, 24, of Shelley Road, Middlesbrough, indicated a guilty plea to burglary at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He is accused of entering the Red Lantern takeaway on Parliament Road and stealing the till. The incident reportedly took place on Sunday, August 4, as far-right protesters stormed the streets. He was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, August 16.
Middlesbrough’s Noman Ahmed appeared in the dock at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with violent disorder in Middlesbrough. Ahmed, 24, indicated a guilty plea following an alleged incident on Sunday, August 4. The Harrow Road defendant was granted conditional bail to appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 15.
Matthew Putson, 27, indicated guilty pleas to violent disorder and assault by beating after far-right riots in Middlesbrough. According to the charge, on August 4, in Middlesbrough, he used or threatened unlawful violence when present together with others being three or more persons. The Palmer Street, Middlesbrough, was remanded in court to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Friday, August 16.
Declan Dixon, 22, of Salisbury Avenue, Hindley, Wigan, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday accused of possession of cocaine and violent disorder in Hartlepool. The alleged offences took place on July 31, as protesters stormed the streets of Hartlepool. The defendant indicated guilty pleas and was remanded in custody until Thursday August 15, where he will appear at Teesside Crown Court. Gazette Live
Dylan Carey will miss the birth of his child because of his violent actions
A dad-to-be attended a vigil for the victims of the Southport stabbings to “lay flowers and light a candle” with his pregnant girlfriend, but instead ended up hurling a tin of paint at the police.
As a result of his involvement in the violent scenes in Southport the evening after the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Dylan Carey will now miss the birth of his child.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Monday, that the 26-year-old was captured on CCTV mobile phone and body worn camera footage throwing items including a tin of paint and a bottle at officers on the evening of July 30, as well as kicking out at police vans. One PC later recognised him at Southport Station in the company of his girlfriend and from videos which had been circulated on X, formerly Twitter.
When spoken to, Carey “accepted he had been present but denied involvement”. But Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, described how he was then arrested at his home address on Castle Hill Road in Hindley, Wigan, on August 5.
Under interview, he “said he had travelled to lay some flowers and light a candle with his pregnant girlfriend” and then decided to attend the “peaceful protest” after seeing it advertised on a Facebook post. But, while there, he claimed that he “grew angrier and began to throw items himself”.
Carey has no previous convictions. Colin Buckle, defending, told the court: “He comes from a supportive, stable and loving family.
“The position is that those who sit in the public gallery and maybe the members of the media, maybe everybody, are shocked. When they saw this young man acting in the way he did, it was wholly out of character, wholly unexpected. His mother, father, partner and brothers cannot understand why he would have acted in his way.
“His intention was not to travel to Southport with criminal intent. He became involved by his own hand, he was not forced. The mood began to change, others began to behave in this way and he joined in. He cannot explain why.
“Their intention was to go in respect of what they believed to be a peaceful vigil. Things turned from that. Of course, he involved himself.
“It is the first time he has ever been in custody. The defendant has told me, through teary eyes, that he has never been so frightened in his life. The defendant was in a cell with a person with class A drugs. Their behaviour became erratic. The defendant said that, at one stage, he feared for his life. He felt that this man was going to turn on him.
“In my respectful submission, for the defendant, the deterrent has worked. He has never been in this situation before. He has expressed to me how he simply cannot believe how he went from being a family man and hard worker.
“The defendant is professional, dedicated, hard working, talented and strives to provide for his family. He is a much loved son. His parents are proud of him. Now he sits before the crown court. It is an unmitigated disaster for him. He bears the consequence.
“The impact on him of a potentially lengthy custodial sentence is that that sentence will be exacted upon him in respect of the loss of his liberty, of course, but moreover due to the fact that, if your honour returns him to custody, he will miss the birth of his child. The couple have suffered from two miscarriages. The child they are expecting has complications.
“It is an uncertain time. He has been a rock to her. Of course, she has lost him by his own hand and his behaviour. He is a man of good character from a stable family and with good employment.”
Carey, who was seen blowing kisses to his supporters in the public gallery during the hearing, admitted violent disorder. Wearing a white shirt and black tie in the dock, he was jailed for 18 months this afternoon as his partner sat in tears with her head in her hands.
Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: “You took part in a prolonged piece of mob violence. There is a significant and highly relevant background to your offence. On Monday the 29th of July, three young girls were enjoying their summer holiday when they were attacked and killed by a man wielding a knife. Several others were attacked and injured.
“The attacks shocked and stunned the nation, but particularly those in Southport. The following afternoon, the people of the town came together. However, as the vigil came to an end, a mob was gathering. The mob had seen an opportunity to stir up trouble.
“A completely false narrative about the alleged attacker was published on social media. This false narrative gained traction amongst the mob, whose real purpose was to launch violent attacks on vulnerable minority members of the community, who were completely innocent, and upon the police.
“The mob, and you were part of it, directed disgraceful racist abuse at the police and a nearby mosque. Over several hours, windows were smashed and walls were demolished. The mob used bricks as missiles, a police van was set on fire, the mosque was very badly damaged. Over 60 police officers were injured. This was large scale and very violent criminal activity.
“The genuine and collective grief of the residents of Southport was hijacked by the mob you were part of, all of you with your distorted motives. Over the following days, there was similar public disorder across the country.
“Southport is a town where families live and work. All of them take pride in the closeness of the community. Your actions damaged and disgraced Southport, and Merseyside generally.
“You joined alongside a large and aggressive mob. You were seen to pick up various items and throw them at a police van, to throw a bottle at police officers, to fly kick a police van at least twice and to pick up and throw items from a wheelie bin which itself had been thrown at the police. You were an active and persistent participant.”
Far-Right Criminals 