A man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in Hull has pleaded guilty to violent disorder, burglary and racially aggravated criminal damage.
John Honey, 25, admitted three charges of burglary at Lush, the O2 store and Shoezone in the city on August 3. He also pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated criminal damage of a BMW and damaging nine other cars. Honey will be sentenced later on Tuesday.
In a separate case a 13-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to using or threatening unlawful violence following a protest outside a hotel in Aldershot.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted the offence that would cause a person to fear for his or her personal safety when she was with three or more other people on July 31 in the Hampshire town.
The teenager sat with her parents at the short hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Her sentencing will take place on 30 September at the same court.
The 13-year-old’s appearance comes just a day after two 12-year-old boys became the youngest to be convicted in relations to the riots after a series of court cases on Monday.
Key Points
- Girl, 13, set to appear in court over violent disorder at protest
- Tugendhat condemns Starmer and Farage over response to riots
- Man who looted cosmetics chain Lush pleads guilty to violent disorder
- Boy, 12, admits throwing missile at police van
- Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative Party councillor, appears in court
- More than 900 rioters arrested and 466 charged nationwide
Youth charity calls for more investment to keep young people away from disorder
16:24
Holly Evans
More investment in frontline youth work could help keep young people away from violence and counter misinformation, a sector leader has said as children as young as 12 were convicted over the summer riots.
Analysis shows at least 50 youths under the age of 18 have been charged in connection with the nationwide disorder.
On Monday, two 12-year-old boys were convicted on charges of violent disorder, while Tuesday saw a 13-year-old girl plead guilty to the same charge.
Kayleigh Wainwright, from leading youth work charity UK Youth, said it is “really sad” to see children “caught up in this”, whether perpetrators, victims or witnesses to scenes of unrest.
The director of youth sector innovation, whose career working with young people has spanned two decades, said those who committed crimes must take responsibility but voiced concern that children can be “more vulnerable”.
Lush looter asks probation officer ‘if he wanted his autograph’
15:57
Holly Evans
Sentencing for a man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in Hull has been adjourned after claims he asked a prison probation officer “if he wanted his autograph”.
John Honey helped attack a car with three Romanian men in, targeted a garage leaving nine vehicles damaged and pushed bins at police lines during the disorder on August 3.
The 25-year-old “played a prominent role” in the 12 hours of violence and unrest that gripped the city, prosecutors said.
Honey pleaded guilty to violent disorder and three charges of burglary at Lush, the O2 store and Shoezone. He also admitted racially aggravated criminal damage of a BMW, and to damaging nine other cars during an attack on a garage.
Judge John Thackray KC, the Recorder of Hull, said he had received a letter from a member of staff at HMP Hull who claimed they were conducting an assessment with Honey and that he had asked “if I wanted his autograph as he is famous and is all over social media”.
They said he was an “over-confident individual” who “presented with no remorse”.
The court heard Honey disputed the probation officer’s claims and wanted to be sentenced on the basis that he was “genuinely remorseful”.
The case was adjourned until Friday for further statements to be taken.
Woman denies buying eggs to throw at police outside Manchester hotel
15:44
Holly Evans
A woman has denied purchasing eggs and water for protesters to throw at police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester.
Barbara Barker, 52, of Tyndall Avenue, Manchester, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutor Suzanne Ludlow alleged Barker was a “willing participant in the disorder” and “aided and abetted the riots” by buying eggs and water from a nearby shop for protesters on July 31.
Defending, John Black told the court Barker went to the area because she was “nosey” and was not present when “violence occurred”.
Mr Black said Barker had “no reason” to believe the eggs she purchased would be “used in any unlawful purpose”.
Barker was remanded into custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Tugendhat says Elon Musk’s claims of civil war are ‘delusional'
15:23
Holly Evans
Tom Tugendhat said Elon Musk’s claim that civil war was inevitable amid the disorder in parts of the UK was “delusional” and “simply false”.
The Tory leadership hopeful said people make different choices when it comes to engaging with social media when asked if politicians should rethink using X.
“Frankly I found those comments delusional and simply false. The question as to how we operate on social media is a difficult one,” he said.
Giving the example of TikTok, he said: “I refuse to be on TikTok because the algorithm is set by a foreign dictatorship. Others make different choices.”
Teenager convicted of participating in Bolton riot
15:14
Holly Evans
A 16-year-old boy has been convicted of “participating in riots” in Bolton.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, on Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutor Suzanne Ludlow said the charge related to the boy “participating in riots” in Bolton town centre on August 4.
District Judge Lucy Hogarth told the boy: “You were involved in an extremely serious incident where real harm was caused around the country by individual people involving themselves in what was happening.”
The boy was bailed and will be sentenced at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on September 17.
Starmer used ‘PR line’ with standing army, says Tugendhat
15:05
Holly Evans
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat has claimed that Sir Keir Starmer did not show the UK the leadership that was needed during the unrest across the country over recent weeks, and claimed the announcement of a “standing army” was a “PR line and not a policy”.
“If he had chaired a daily Cobra meeting with senior police officers, the security services, the army and others, the Prime Minister could have given the police more of what they needed. They could have cancelled leave, extended mutual aid and confronted the rioters earlier with an overwhelming police presence.
“But this is not what we saw. We did not see the leadership we needed.
“They could have backfilled policing roles by calling up all special constables and using the army for backup office duties. They could have decided, before the shameful scenes outside the hotel in Rotherham, to allow the police to use appropriate force. They did none of this,” he added.
Tugendhat suggests new security police force to deal with UK counter-terrorism
14:55
Holly Evans
Tom Tugendhat suggested setting up a new national security police force to deal with counter-terrorism.
The Conservative leadership hopeful said: “The structure of policing, not least the Met’s confused mix of national and local responsibilities and its reporting to the Mayor and the Home Secretary, with each blaming the other, must also change.
“Removing counter-terrorism from the Met to create a new national security police force whose focus is not just counter-terror, but also state threats, would be one way of doing so.”
Tugendhat condemns Starmer and Farage over response to riots
14:47
Holly Evans
Shadow security minister and Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat accused Sir Keir Starmer of a “failure of leadership” over the disorder of the last two weeks.
He also hit out at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for condemning the breakdown of law and order before the riots “but not the riots themselves”.
“I want to be clear, this is not leadership, it is deeply irresponsible and dangerous,” he said.
“Later when masked men gathered in Birmingham brandishing weapons and live on camera threatened female journalists and attempted to slash the tyres of broadcast vans, Jess Phillips, a Home Office minister, chose to justify their behaviour instead of condemning it because these were not far right hooligans but young Muslim men.
“This was a failure of leadership just as surely as that of Nigel Farage, and it is not the only failure of leadership by Keir Starmer’s Government over these last two weeks.”
Mr Tugendhat added: “This has been the Government’s first real test and the Prime Minister fell short.”
Tory leadership hopeful warns ‘visible lawlessness is rising’
14:38
Holly Evans
Tom Tugendhat warned against a “softly softly” approach to disorder, saying “visible lawlessness” was “radicalising”.
The shadow security minister said: “As Conservatives, we understand that order is not the product of freedom, rather our freedom depends on order.
“None of us are bystanders. We don’t have that luxury.
“Once lost, public order can be difficult to regain and social unrest can rear its head, which is why the police response to disorder must always be swift and determined.
“For officers on the street, policing a violent crowd is a dangerous job. We sometimes hear of the need to go softly softly and to make arrests later.
“But visible lawlessness is radicalising. It encourages others to join in and to commit crime.”
Tom Tugendhat condemns ‘racist thugs’ in speech on recent riots
14:30
Holly Evans
Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat said the disorder seen on the UK’s streets was “completely unacceptable” and he condemned “racist thugs” as he opened a speech in central London.
But the shadow security minister added: “Too often over the last two decades or more we have avoided being brutally honest about the underlying social unrest across society, preferring instead the warmth and false comfort of denial and complacency.
“Bombs have been detonated and we have moved on. Attempted terror attacks have gone without much comment. Wicked, violent crimes have taken place with little said or done.”
How effectively has Keir Starmer handled the riots? Join The Independent Debate
14:11
Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer faced his first big test as prime minister last week, as far-right riots engulfed the country.
The unforeseen crisis appears to have played to Sir Keir’s strengths as a former public prosecutor, with over 900 people arrested and 466 already charged following the violent disorder.
Towns and cities including Liverpool, Middlesborough and Sunderland saw widespread violence last week, with people arrested for a broad range of offences.
Join The Independent’s debate here:
CPS say conviction of 13-year-old girl is ‘particularly distressing’
13:44
Holly Evans
Following the conviction of the 13-year-old girl at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, Thomas Power, a senior crown prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “This alarming incident will have caused genuine fear amongst people who were being targeted by these thugs – and it is particularly distressing to learn that such a young girl participated in this violent disorder.
“Large-scale public unrest is never acceptable and the Crown Prosecution Service will not hesitate to respond swiftly and robustly to uphold law and order.
“We will continue working with our partners in policing and the wider criminal justice system to make sure those who bring violence and panic to our communities face the consequences of their actions.”
Five men in court over disorder outside hotel in Aldershot
13:28
Holly Evans
Five men have appeared in court charged with using or threatening unlawful violence following a protest at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Aldershot.
Kieron Marney, 25, of Ash; Clive Patfield, 60, of Farnham; Alby Brannan, 18, of Ash; Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Farnborough, and Cameron Bowling, 40, of Farnborough, gave no indication to the alleged offence on July 31 at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
District Judge Tim Pattinson said their cases were too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ court and they will next appear at Winchester Crown Court on September 4.
They were granted bail with conditions not to attend or loiter at any accommodation occupied by asylum seekers and not to go to Potters International Hotel or its grounds.
Rioter jailed for lighting an arrow and throwing it at officers
13:17
Holly Evans
A 19-year-old man has been jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court after he admitted throwing bricks and lighted arrows at police protecting a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Father-of-one Drew Jarvis was filmed lighting an arrow with a lighter and throwing it at officers during the rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on Sunday August 4, a judge heard.
Footage was shown in court, filmed from inside the hotel, of Jarvis throwing wooden planks at the building, wearing a hoodie and a mask.
When the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, asked “what possessed him to turn up”, Dale Harris, defending, said: “Probably stupidity.”
The court heard how Jarvis told police after his arrest that he went to the hotel because it was “just another opportunity to vote, to sort out the hotel, to sort out the people staying within it”.
Labour MP Clive Lewis accused of trying to blame Israel for UK’s far-right riots
12:50
Joe Middleton
Labour MP Clive Lewis is facing calls for his suspension over a tweet appearing to suggest Israel is to blame for the far-right riots that swept the UK last week.
The MP for Norwich South argued that the “inhumanity” shown towards Palestinians in Gaza has led to rising Islamophobia in the UK, causing campaigners to call for his suspension.
Labour Against Antisemitism has accused Mr Lewis of being highly irresponsible and has urged Sir Keir Starmer to expell him from the party. However, it is understood that no disciplinary action will be taken against the MP by party whips.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports
Woman, 52, charged with violent disorder
12:29
Joe Middleton
A 52-year-old woman has been charged with violent disorder over the riots during the summer.
Barbara Barker will appear at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court over the incident.
Daniel Stewart, 28, has been charged with assault by beating and violent disorder, and will appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court.
Graham Doherty, 35, has been charged with violent disorder and will appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.
Five more people charged by Merseyside Police over rioting in Southport and Liverpool
12:00
Joe Middleton
Five more people have been charged by Merseyside Police over violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.
Jake Lowther, 20, of Abrams Fold, Banks; David Engleby, 29, of Scarisbrick New Road, Southport; Luke Summerfield, 33, of Mansfield Street, Ashton-under-Lyne and Connor Prescott, 25, of Vaughan Road, Birkdale, have all been charged with violent disorder in relation to unrest in Southport.
All will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
A 16-year-old boy from Stockbridge Village has also been charged with violent disorder, criminal damage and three counts of burglary in Liverpool city centre, and has been remanded in custody to appear at Merseyside Youth Court on Tuesday afternoon.
It brings the total number of people charged by Merseyside Police over the riots to 35.
Man denies taking part in Manchester riots
11:36
Joe Middleton
A man has denied taking part in “disorder and riots” in Manchester city centre.
Scott Chadwick, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning.
Prosecutor Suzanne Ludlow said the charge related to “disorder and riots in Manchester city centre” on August 3.
Chadwick was remanded into custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 3.
Man who looted cosmetics chain Lush pleads guilty to violent disorder
10:55
Joe Middleton
A man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in Hull has pleaded guilty to violent disorder, burglary and racially aggravated criminal damage.
John Honey, 25, admitted three charges of burglary at Lush, the O2 store and Shoezone in the city on August 3.
He also pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated criminal damage of a BMW and damaging nine other cars.
Judge John Thackray KC, the Recorder of Hull, said he hoped to be able to sentence Honey later on Tuesday.
Community relations expert calls for social cohesion strategy in wake of riots
10:31
Joe Middleton
A community relations expert has hit out at the “cynical way” politicians have targeted voters by normalising identity politics, as he stressed the “urgent” need for a social cohesion strategy.
Former government adviser Ted Cantle warned against shutting down debate, which he said has “created frustration and belief (among some) that there is a hidden agenda”.
Mr Cantle, an expert on community cohesion and intercultural relations, said successive political administrations have taken only “short-term and limited measures” to tackle issues around integration.
He said there is no need to commission “yet another review”, pointing to the multiple reviews carried out, including his own in 2001, and the most recent by Dame Sara Khan, which was presented to the Tory government earlier this year.
His Cantle report, following disturbances in summer 2001 in a number of northern towns and cities, called for a national debate on a shared British identity, having found a “depth of polarisation in our towns and cities”, meaning “many communities operate on the basis of a series of parallel lives”.
More than two decades on, in March this year, Dame Sara Khan criticised a lack of strategy to deal with threats to social cohesion and the country’s democratic resilience.
She said her review had followed a “twenty-year long line of government commissioned cohesion reviews and recommendations”, yet she expressed her disappointment “that today there exists no strategic approach, or comprehensive analytical capability and framework to assess social cohesion trends and to ensure a robust and resilient response in the face of evolving risks”.
Asked about the need for a strategy, Mr Cantle told the PA news agency: “Clearly this is urgent, but should not just be related to the present events.”
He said it must be recognised that “prejudice and discrimination is not limited to one community - and nor is hate speech and abuse”.
He called for the government to set out plans for additional housing, health and other public services “to recognise additional pressures from increased population”, saying a lack of new investment as the country’s population has risen “has disadvantaged poorer communities most of all”.
Recap: What happened on Monday?
10:10
Joe Middleton
- Two 12-year-old boys have become the youngest people to be convicted in connection with the nationwide public disorder. One of the boys admitted throwing a missile at a police van as he pleaded guilty to two charges of violent disorder during two separate incidents in Manchester. The other 12-year-old youth admitted a charge of violent disorder at Liverpool Youth Court, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
- Lucy Connolly, the wife of West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, is alleged to have posted on X on the day three girls were stabbed to death in Southport, saying: “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bastards for all I care... If that makes me racist, so be it.” The 41-year-old, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, is yet to enter a plea to the charge and was remanded in custody ahead of another hearing on September 2.
- Thomas Ward, 35, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and indecent exposure after he was seen in social media footage “stamping on fencing” and “throwing a plank of wood towards police officers” in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3.
- At Teesside Crown Court, a 22-year-old who threw a vacuum cleaner through a house window and told a police officer “I hope your children get raped” during riots in Middlesbrough was jailed for 26 months. Thomas Rogers pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon after he was seen throwing bricks at police.
- A teenager seen “celebrating” after throwing a rock which hit a police officer during riots in Darlington was detained for 18 months. Cole Stewart, 18, was one of about 30 people who gathered outside a mosque in the town on August 5. Stewart was seen breaking a large boulder into smaller rocks and throwing them towards police, and was later spotted “celebrating with his arms in the air” when one struck an officer in the arm.
- Also in the north east, a 34-year-old man has admitted to sharing a video on TikTok in an effort to stir up racial hatred. James Aspin, of Blyth, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred during a hearing at Bedlington Magistrates’ Court.
- In Liverpool, Dylan Carey, 26, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and will miss the birth of his child after he admitted to participating in violent disorder in Southport on July 30. His pregnant girlfriend, Natasha Keenan, burst into tears in the public gallery as Carey was locked up for throwing various items, including a tin of paint, at a police van.
Man due in Belfast court with rioting offences
09:51
Joe Middleton
A man is due in court in Belfast later charged with rioting offences.
The 26-year-old has been charged with riot and intentionally encouraging or assisting riot.
Police said the man was arrested on Monday in the Belfast area by officers investigating recent disorder in the city.
Rioting earlier this month came after an anti-immigration protest.
Tenth person charged after disorder in Bristol city centre
09:38
Joe Middleton
A tenth person has been charged by detectives investigating violent disorder in Bristol city centre.
Joseph Bradford, 20, of Bishopsworth, Bristol, was charged with violent disorder on Monday following an incident on August 3.
Bradford is due to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
A total of 24 people have been arrested so far as part of Avon and Somerset Police’s continuing investigation.
Man, 26, jailed after disorder in Merseyside
09:27
Joe Middleton
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?”
Girl, 13, set to appear in court over violent disorder
09:03
Joe Middleton
A teenage girl is to appear in court after a protest descended into violence in Aldershot.
The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces a charge of violent disorder following a protest outside Potters International Hotel on Wednesday 31 July.
She will appear before Basingstoke Magistrates Court today.
Boy, 16, admits throwing object at mounted police officers
06:00
Joe Middleton
A 16-year-old boy has admitted throwing an object towards mounted police during disorder in Bolton.
The boy pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said the boy was seen on CCTV on August 4 throwing “an object towards mounted police officers who were trying to disperse protesters” and “walking towards an ongoing protest with a weapon in his hand”.
Ms Kenyon added that video footage also showed him aiding looters by “holding up shutters of a convenience store while others are trying to get into the store”.
In a statement read out to the court, the shop owner said: “I believe it was targeted because of racism against me.”
District Judge Joanne Hirst said the case was “a very serious matter” and told the boy: “You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.
“Your mum deserves better than this, we all deserve better.”
The boy was remanded to local authority accommodation and banned from Bolton town centre.
He will be sentenced at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on September 2.
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative Party councillor, appears in court
05:00
Joe Middleton
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative Party councillor, has appeared in court accused of publishing an X post stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers.
Connolly’s husband, West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, watched from the public gallery in courtroom four at Northampton Crown Court as she was remanded in custody by Judge Adrienne Lucking KC.
The 41-year-old childminder, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, will reappear at the same court on September 2.
Connolly appeared in the dock wearing light blue jeans and a sleeveless green top for the 11-minute hearing and was not required to enter a plea to a charge of publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred.
Two women plead guilty to violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers
04:00
Joe Middleton
Two women have admitted being “agitators” in disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.
Tracy Pearson, 53, and Michelle Jibson, 45, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said the women, both of Kingsbridge Road, Manchester, had been “agitators” during the disturbances where items were thrown and racist abuse was directed towards the hotel.
Ms Kenyon said Pearson was seen “advancing towards police lines” during the disorder.
After being remanded into custody, Pearson shouted over the judge: “Don’t care. Freedom of speech is gone. Joke.”
Ms Kenyon said Jibson was seen to “strike out at a police officer” during the disorder.
Jibson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on August 19.
Boy, 16, denies taking part in civil unrest
03:00
Joe Middleton
A 16-year-old boy has denied taking part in “mass civil unrest” in Bolton on August 4.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, on Monday afternoon.
District Judge Joanne Hirst said the boy faced an “extremely serious” charge of being involved in “mass civil unrest” in Bolton town centre.
The boy was bailed and will next appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court for a hearing on August 28.
ICYMI: Man will miss the birth of his child after being jailed for violent disorder
02:00
Joe Middleton
Dylan Carey, 26, will miss the birth of his child after he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 18 months in jail for violent disorder in Southport on July 30.
His pregnant girlfriend, Natasha Keenan, burst into tears in the public gallery as Carey was locked up for throwing various items, including a tin of paint, at a police van.
Carey, of Hindley, Greater Manchester, was also captured on CCTV footage launching two “fly-kicks” to the vehicle.
Sentencing, Judge Dennis Watson KC said: “You were an active and persistent participant. Those who choose to take part in mob violence can expect to receive significant sentences.
“The violence which was directed at the mosque and its community was racially aggravated.
“Violence was also directed at the police who were performing a difficult and dangerous task.
ICYMI: Teenager detained for 18 months in young offenders institution after throwing rock at police officer
01:00
Joe Middleton
A teenager seen “celebrating” after throwing a rock which hit a police officer on the arm during riots in Darlington was detained for 18 months.
Cole Stewart, 18, was one of about 30 people who gathered outside a mosque in the north east town on August 5. Teesside Crown Court heard the group was chanting racist and far-right slogans.
Police formed a line separating the protesters from a group of about 60 Asian men who had gathered outside the mosque to protect it.
Stewart, of Victoria Road, Darlington, was seen breaking a large boulder into smaller rocks and throwing them towards officers.
When one rock hit an officer on the arm Stewart was seen “celebrating with his arms in the air”.
A judge said that earlier that day social media posts had encouraged people to gather on Gladstone Street for a “protest” with the intention of approaching a mosque.
In mitigation, the court heard Stewart had a “very difficult background” and denied using any racist language himself during the incident.
Sentencing him to 18 months detention in a young offenders institution, Judge Francis Laird KC said: “You chose to take part in an organised act of public disorder, indeed you were at the forefront of it.”
ICYMI: Man admits sharing TikTok video to stir up racial hatred
Monday 12 August 2024 23:00
Joe Middleton
A 34-year-old man has admitted to sharing a video on TikTok in an effort to stir up racial hatred.
James Aspin, of Blyth, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred during a hearing at Bedlington Magistrates’ Court.
Man admits throwing pint of cider near police
Monday 12 August 2024 22:00
Joe Middleton
A man has admitted throwing a pint of cider towards police officers during disorder in Manchester on August 3.
Graham Brookes, 42, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said Brookes was seen to “throw a plastic pint of liquid towards officers” that “appeared to have been aimed at a group of Asian males”.
Ms Kenyon said Brookes later accepted the liquid was fruit cider.
District Judge Joanne Hirst said Brookes had admitted “provocative and quite shameful, racist actions”.
Brookes was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on August 19.
Voices: I worked in the home office during the 2001 riots – these are the mistakes the UK government must avoid
Monday 12 August 2024 21:00
Joe Middleton
Questions of Britishness and national identity lie at the heart of recent unrest, writes Dr Varun Uberoi
Watch: Family release footage of nine-year-old girl killed in Southport stabbings
Monday 12 August 2024 20:00
Joe Middleton
Two 12-year-olds become youngest to be convicted for violent disorder
Monday 12 August 2024 19:34
Holly Evans
Two 12-year-old boys are believed to have become the youngest people to be convicted of a criminal offence in connection with the nationwide public disorder.
One of the youngsters admitted two charges of violent disorder after throwing a missile at a police van and taking part in two separate incidents of unrest in Manchester at the city’s magistrates’ court on Monday.
The court heard the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was part of a group that gathered on July 31 outside a Holiday Inn hotel housing asylum seekers.
Prosecutors said the boy was “filmed by police kicking the front window of a vape shop” and was also seen kicking a bus as it drove past him.
The other 12-year-old youth admitted a charge of violent disorder at Liverpool Youth Court, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Five more people, including teenage girl, admit violent disorder
Monday 12 August 2024 19:00
Joe Middleton
Five more people, including a 16-year-old girl, have admitted a charge of violent disorder at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court.
Gary Harkness, 51, of North Road West, John Cann, 51, of Patna Place and Ryan Bailey, 41, of no fixed abode, Plymouth, all pleaded guilty on Monday.
A 16-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also pleaded guilty.
The three men will next appear before Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday.
The two youths have been bailed to appear before youth court at a later date.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “We continue to work to bring those involved in last Monday night’s violent disorder to justice. This has been a collaborated effort between police investigation teams and the Crown Prosecution Service, who have delivered a swift response.
“Our message is simple to anyone who plans to breed violent disorder; we will identify you, and you will face the full force of the law. The actions on Monday do not represent our wider community and we would like to thank the public for their ongoing and unwavering support of our officers.”
Woman admits throwing water over police outside hotel housing asylum seekers
Monday 12 August 2024 18:00
Joe Middleton
A woman has admitted throwing water over police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.
Nevey Smith, 21, of West Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said: “Footage shows her throwing liquid from a bottle towards police officers who were trying to maintain order.
“She had a child with her in a stroller.”
Defending, Robert Moussalli said Smith had “lost her temper” during the disorder and “threw some water”.
District Judge Joanne Hirst told Smith: “You put your own child at risk.”
The judge added that Smith was “not as heavily involved as others in the demonstration” and was “not heard to utter any direct racist abuse”.
Smith was released on bail and will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on August 19.
Man, 19, jailed for 14 months after affray at protest
Monday 12 August 2024 17:00
Joe Middleton
Amjad Ali, aged 19, was sentenced to 14 months’ detention at Northampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to affray at a protest in the town last Wednesday which saw three arrests.
Judge Adrienne Lucking KC was told Ali attended the protest dressed in all-black including a balaclava, punched an unknown male in the face, and aimed a “ferocious” kick at another victim’s head.
The court heard the convicted drug dealer, of Alcombe Road, Northampton, was arrested following disorder involving several men of “paramilitary-style appearance” witnessed by passing motorists and pedestrians in Kettering Road shortly after 7pm.
The judge also ordered Ali to consecutively serve a year of a previous suspended sentence imposed for dealing heroin and crack cocaine and possession of ammonia in a public place.
Judge Lucking told Ali: “Your offending must be seen in the context of the widespread and extensively reported scenes of disorder, violence and criminal damage which has taken place around the country. This conduct will always attract immediate and substantial punishment.”
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative Party councillor, appears in court
Monday 12 August 2024 16:35
Joe Middleton
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative Party councillor, has appeared in court accused of publishing an X post stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers.
Connolly’s husband, West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, watched from the public gallery in courtroom four at Northampton Crown Court as she was remanded in custody by Judge Adrienne Lucking KC.
The 41-year-old childminder, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, will reappear at the same court on September 2.
Connolly appeared in the dock wearing light blue jeans and a sleeveless green top for the 11-minute hearing and was not required to enter a plea to a charge of publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred.
Two women plead guilty to violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers
Monday 12 August 2024 16:18
Joe Middleton
Two women have admitted being “agitators” in disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.
Tracy Pearson, 53, and Michelle Jibson, 45, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutor Tess Kenyon said the women, both of Kingsbridge Road, Manchester, had been “agitators” during the disturbances where items were thrown and racist abuse was directed towards the hotel.
Ms Kenyon said Pearson was seen “advancing towards police lines” during the disorder.
After being remanded into custody, Pearson shouted over the judge: “Don’t care. Freedom of speech is gone. Joke.”
Ms Kenyon said Jibson was seen to “strike out at a police officer” during the disorder.
Jibson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on August 19.
Man will miss the birth of his child after being jailed for violent disorder
Monday 12 August 2024 16:15
Joe Middleton
Dylan Carey, 26, will miss the birth of his child after he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 18 months in jail for violent disorder in Southport on July 30.
His pregnant girlfriend, Natasha Keenan, burst into tears in the public gallery as Carey was locked up for throwing various items, including a tin of paint, at a police van.
Carey, of Hindley, Greater Manchester, was also captured on CCTV footage launching two “fly-kicks” to the vehicle.
Sentencing, Judge Dennis Watson KC said: “You were an active and persistent participant. Those who choose to take part in mob violence can expect to receive significant sentences.
“The violence which was directed at the mosque and its community was racially aggravated.
“Violence was also directed at the police who were performing a difficult and dangerous task.
Man admits sharing TikTok video to stir up racial hatred
Monday 12 August 2024 15:57
Joe Middleton
A 34-year-old man has admitted to sharing a video on TikTok in an effort to stir up racial hatred.
James Aspin, of Blyth, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up racial hatred during a hearing at Bedlington Magistrates’ Court.
ICYMI: ‘People feel crime has no consequences’: Cooper says respect for police must be restored after riots
Monday 12 August 2024 15:49
Joe Middleton
Home secretary Yvette Cooper has said respect for the police must be restored after they faced “brazen abuse and contempt” during rioting.
Attacks on local communities and police are a “disgraceful assault on the rule of law itself,” she said.
“As home secretary, I am not prepared to tolerate the brazen abuse and contempt which a minority have felt able to show towards our men and women in uniform, or the disrespect for law and order that has been allowed to grow in recent years,” Ms Cooper wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
“As well as punishing those responsible for the last fortnight’s violent disorder, we must take action to restore respect for the police and respect for the law.”
Millie Cooke reports.
Man jailed after punching police officer
Monday 12 August 2024 15:40
Joe Middleton
A man has been jailed after punching a police officer at an anti-immigration protest in Weymouth.Jason Barry Francis, 38, of Meadow View Road in Weymouth, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker during the Weymouth protests.
The charges related to an incident on Weymouth Esplanade during the evening of Sunday 4 August 2024. Francis was part of a group involved in an anti-immigration protest which led to violent disorder.
Local council CCTV cameras and third-party videos posted to social media showed Francis moving towards a police line pushing and kicking out at officers. He then went on to punch an officer in the face before backing away into the crowd.
Following reviews of the video footage and enquiries by detectives, Francis was identified and arrested by officers at his home address on Thursday 8 August 2024 and subsequently charged with violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.
Teenager detained for 18 months in young offenders institution after throwing rock at police officer
Monday 12 August 2024 15:21
Joe Middleton
A teenager seen “celebrating” after throwing a rock which hit a police officer on the arm during riots in Darlington was detained for 18 months.
Cole Stewart, 18, was one of about 30 people who gathered outside a mosque in the north east town on August 5. Teesside Crown Court heard the group was chanting racist and far-right slogans.
Police formed a line separating the protesters from a group of about 60 Asian men who had gathered outside the mosque to protect it.
Stewart, of Victoria Road, Darlington, was seen breaking a large boulder into smaller rocks and throwing them towards officers.
When one rock hit an officer on the arm Stewart was seen “celebrating with his arms in the air”.
A judge said that earlier that day social media posts had encouraged people to gather on Gladstone Street for a “protest” with the intention of approaching a mosque.
In mitigation, the court heard Stewart had a “very difficult background” and denied using any racist language himself during the incident.
Sentencing him to 18 months detention in a young offenders institution, Judge Francis Laird KC said: “You chose to take part in an organised act of public disorder, indeed you were at the forefront of it.”
Boy, 16, denies taking part in civil unrest
Monday 12 August 2024 15:00
Athena Stavrou
A 16-year-old boy has denied taking part in “mass civil unrest” in Bolton on August 4.
The boy pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, on Monday afternoon.
District Judge Joanne Hirst said the boy faced an “extremely serious” charge of being involved in “mass civil unrest” in Bolton town centre.
The boy was bailed and will next appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court for a hearing on August 28.
Monday 12 August 2024 14:37
Athena Stavrou
A 22-year-old has been jailed for 26 months after admitting to throwing a vacuum cleaner through a house window and telling a police officer “I hope your children get raped”.
Thomas Rogers, of Wicklow Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Teesside Crown Court heard Rogers was seen throwing bricks at police by an officer who later asked if he was okay as he had blood on his T-shirt.
Rogers replied he had cut his hand throwing rocks at the police and “would do it again”. He told the officer: “I
