A judge today savaged a ‘cowardly and disgraceful’ thug who was involved in a shameful attack on a lone black man as more far-right rioters were hauled before the courts.
Footage showed Anthony Livesey and several other men attacking the pedestrian in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester in one of the most shocking incidents to have emerged so far from a week of unrest.
The 25-year-old, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, swung a punch during the sickening incident before stamping on the victim’s head after he had been dragged to the ground.
Remanding him in custody,District Judge Lucy Hogarth said: ‘I have worked in criminal justice for nearly 30 years, and I am not often lost for words but this offence that was committed by you and your friends is one of the most cowardly and disgraceful cases I have ever experienced.’
Colin Demulder, 36, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.David McCrea, 43, and three boys – who cannot be named for legal reasons – have been charged with the same offence.
As the legal crackdown continued today, footage emerged of 69-year-old rioter William Morgan shouting‘I’m English’ and ‘I’m f***ing 70 mate’ as he was arrested for violent disorder in Liverpool on Saturday.
Video was also published of Guy Sullivan, 43, taking advantage of unrest in Plymouth to steal £280 of alcohol from a Tesco. He was jailed for 16 months yesterday, and in his latest court appearance today, he admitted violent disorder after stealing a police officer’s baton.
Meanwhile, Jordan Parlour was jailed for 20 months at Leeds Crown Court for publishing Facebook posts encouraging people to attack a hotel in the city housing more than 200 asylum seekers and refugees.
Anthony Livesey, 25, andColin Demulder, 36, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after attacking a lone black man
Footage showed a mob attacking the pedestrian in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester in one of the most shocking incidents to have emerged so far from a week of unrest
William Morgan shouted ‘I’m English’ and ‘I’m f***ing 70 mate’ as he was arrested for violent disorder in Liverpool on Saturday
Guy Sullivan, 43, took advantage of unrest in Plymouth to steal £280 of alcohol from a Tesco. He was jailed for 16 months yesterday
It comes as two counter-protesters became the latest to be shamed in a live sentencing hearing after attacking a ‘pro-EDL’ crowd in Leeds.
Sameer Ali, 21, andAdnan Ghafoor, 31, both admitted affray for the attack in front of shocked members of the public in Leeds on Sunday. Ali received 20 months and Ghafoor18 months and an additional 12 months for a previous suspended sentence.
The group of 17 Asian men had attended an ‘anti-racism’ counter protest in Leeds last Saturday at the same time as an ‘anti-immigration’ demonstration. Police kept the two sides apart and the event ended ‘largely peacefully,’ said Heather Gilmore, prosecuting.
But as they walked away the four ‘far-right’ supporters came up to the Asian group, which included the two defendants, and used racist and anti-Muslim obscenities, the court heard.
The comments by the ‘white men,’ one of whom was carrying a Union flag and another wearing a Union face mask, provoked the Asians into ’30 seconds of serious violence.’
The court heard Ali punched and kicked three men, one of whom was on the ground. They were described by the judge as ‘full force punches’ and the violence took place in full view of members of the public at a bar and in the street.
Ali walked away ‘laughing and congratulating himself and others,’ said the judge. The trainee with an electrical company has never previously been arrested.
Ghafoor joined in by punching a man to the head and body as he was being restrained by others.
The father-of-one has previous convictions dating back to 2015 for racially or religiously aggravated common assault and was in breach of a suspended sentence from April for driving whilst disqualified.
Sameer Ali, 21, and Adnan Ghafoor, 31, both admitted affray for an attack in front of shocked members of the public in Leeds on Sunday
Ryan Wheatley, a 40-year-old grandfather, is facing jail after pleading guilty to assault by beating of a police officer who he ‘barrelled’ into at a protest in Southampton
Jordan Parlour was jailed for 20 months at Leeds Crown Court for publishing Facebook posts encouraging people to attack a hotel in the city housing more than 200 asylum seekers
Frances Pencheon, for Ghafoor, described his actions as a ‘short-lived moment of madness.’
Graham O’Sullivan, for Ali, said it was an ‘isolated aberration’ against a background of ‘serious provocation and racist abuse.’
Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl, KC, said thatin a democracy people are entitled to ‘protest and speak’ within the boundaries of the law.
‘The law applies to everyone, no matter what colour, race, religion, or political persuasion they are. There is no distinction.’
He said ‘severe sentences’ were needed ‘given the nationwide context of the violence and in order to provide punishment and deterrence’.
In Southampton, Ryan Wheatley, 40, pleaded guilty to assault by beating of a police officer at a ‘protest’ in the city on Wednesday.
Leah Dillon, prosecuting told Southampton Magistrates’ Court, that the defendant had attended the protest wearing a mask and a hooded top with an England flag draped over his shoulders.
She said that he was part of a small group of anti-immigrant protesters who were confronted by a group of about 400 counter protesters.
Ms Dillon described how Wheatley was spotted by Sgt Perry leaving the group and attempting to run at the counter-demonstration.
Judge Guy Kearl KC, said: ‘This was a group attack involving in excess of 10 men in circ*mstances of a heightened state of public concern and anxiety to which each of you have contributed’
Adam Wharton, 28 and Ellis Wharton, 22, raided a burnt-out library in Walton, Liverpool, following unrest in the city on Saturday
Amid chaos in Liverpool on August 3, Adam Wharton acted as lookout while his younger brother entered the Spellow Hub, which housed a library and a food bank
She said that he stepped in to intervene when the defendant ran straight into him.
Ms Dillon said that the officer sprayed Wheatley with an incapacitant spray and he was arrested. The thug accepted in interview that he had ‘barrelled into the officer’, she added.
She said that Sgt Perry said in a statement: ‘I was very concerned about his intention should he be given the chance to interact with the group.’
He described the defendant as a ‘very large male’ and sprayed him ‘because of the sheer size of him, I felt it was the safest way to control him’.
Amid chaos in Liverpool on August 3,Adam Wharton acted as lookout while his younger brother entered the Spellow Hub premises, which housed a number of facilities including a community centre, a library and a food bank.
PC Thomas Nielsen entered the building at around 2am and caught a masked Ellis Wharton carrying a rucksack and in the act of removing a large computer monitor, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
When challenged Ellis took up a ‘fighting stance’, the court heard, as the officer attempted to restrain him and the defendant responded by lashing out and striking him in the chest.
The officer suffered no significant injury and was helped by colleagues to detain the burglar who suffered a black eye while being subdued.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC said he had ‘no doubt’ that Adam, who has a string of convictions including multiple burglary offences, had involved and encouraged his younger brother, with no previous convictions, into committing the burglary.
Dean Groenewald, 32, and Paul Williams, 45, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder over the Sunderland riots
Liam Doeg, 33, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary atSouth Tyneside Magistrates’ Court
Dorset Police officers arrive at the home of Jason Barry Francis, 38, in Weymouth to arrest him
Jason Barry Francis is pictured being handcuffed by officers outside his home in Weymouth
Police take away Jason Barry Francis and put him in a police van outside his home in Weymouth
He told Ellis Wharton: ‘Further I accept that but for the intervention of your brother you would not have committed the offence.’
Sentencing Adam Wharton to 20 months in jail and Ellis Wharton to 11 months in custody the judge said: ‘The Spellow Hub was a valuable local resource and its loss will be felt deeply by the community.
‘Although your offending amounts in law to the offence of burglary, your conduct is more commonly described as ‘looting’, a despicable crime in which the offender seeks to profit from the misery of others.’
Both men from Selwyn Street, Walton, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to burglary with intent to steal, while Ellis Wharton changed his plea yesterday to admit assaulting an emergency worker.
Ellis Wharton received an eight-month jail term for the burglary and a consecutive three-month sentence for the assault.
Prosecutor Chris Taylor said when Ellis Wharton was handcuffed outside the hub he told officers: I’m sorry, I have been blackmailed by my brother to do it. I made a stupid decision.’
Brendan Carville, defending Ellis Wharton, said: ‘He is the idiot who went into the premises while his brother stood outside.
‘He is the one caught red-handed. He had never put a foot wrong in his life. I submit he is a person who has been used by his brother. His remorse was instant.’
Barrister John Rowan told the court that since 2016 he had legally represented Adam, who had amassed 16 convictions for 28 offences from May 2011 to March 2021 including two custodial sentences for residential burglaries.
He said: ‘He wants it known that he is deeply ashamed and disgusted with himself.’
Police today released photos of a raid yesterday on the Weymouth home ofJason Barry Francis.
An estimated 200 Stand Up to Racism activists and 400 anti-immigration protesters gathered last Sunday, with officers moving people off the beach as evening fell.
Dorset Police later revealed one officer was hit in the face by a bottle and another was punched in the face, with at least four people having now been arrested.
Rumours were allegedly circulating that asylum seekers currently living on the Bibby Stockholm barge would be moved toPortland, Weymouth or another part of Dorset.
Others charged in relation to the protest included David Fuller, 66, of Yeovil, for allegedly being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He will appear at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on August 22.
Police also issued a conditional caution to a 27-year-old man from Weymouth who was arrested on suspicion of assault.
And a 42-year-old man from Yeovil arrested on suspicion of public order offences and further arrested on suspicion of obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty was released on police bail while police inquiries continue.
Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said today: ‘Our approach to recent demonstrations has been clear, we will facilitate safe and legal protest but we must balance this with minimising impact on our communities.
Police officers face off with protesters during a protest in Weymouth on Sunday afternoon
Police hold back protesters during a confrontation on Weymouth seafront in Dorset on Sunday
Police officers try to maintain order in Weymouth on Friday during the demonstrations
‘Where individuals are suspected of committing public order or criminal offences, we will deal with this robustly as this will not be tolerated.
‘Dorset Police has a team of officers dedicated to reviewing crime reports and video footage of protest activity in order to identify any crimes that may have been committed. These will be swiftly investigated with suspected offenders being put before the courts.
‘Our role is to facilitate safe and legal protest and where individuals are intent on acting outside of the law, they can face arrest either during demonstrations or in the immediate aftermath. We are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service in order to seek swift justice.’
Other people arrested in the violent disorder across the UK over the past week will appear in court today, with about 150 charges having already been brought over the unrest.
Suspected rioters will be at magistrates’ courts across the UK including in Liverpool, Llandudno, South Tyneside and Wirral.
Four people also face jail at Newcastle Crown Court following violent disorder in Sunderland.
At Inner London Crown Court, Ozzie Cush will be sentenced for assaulting an emergency worker in Westminster on July 30.
Teesside Crown Court will see three Middlesbrough rioters and one Darlington rioter face prison sentences and in Sheffield, Kenzie Roughley, 18, will be sentenced for violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Meanwhile Tyler Kay, 26, and Jordan Parlour, 28, are set to be the first to face jail for stirring up racial hatred following the widespread disorder.
Mugshots issued by various UK police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service of people who have appeared in court following violent disorder during anti-immigration protests
Parlour indicated he admitted posting on Facebook between August 1 and August 5 in connection with the nationwide violent disorder.
The defendant, of Seacroft, Leeds, will appear at the city’s crown court after being remanded into custody on Tuesday.
Kay is due to appear at Northampton Crown Court charged with publishing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting, intending thereby to stir up racial hatred.
His online posts are also connected to the widespread disorder, and he was previously remanded in custody.
Joining Parlour at Leeds Crown Court are Sameer Ali and Adnan Ghafoor who will be sentenced for the charge of affray, and Jordan Plain for racially aggravated harassment.
At least a dozen people were jailed yesterday for their part in the riots of the past ten days.
A protester is arrested by police at a demonstration yesterday in Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Sir Keir Starmer said swift justice, including sentencing, has been a deterrent to more violent disorder.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister addressed his third emergency Cobra meeting since the first riot in Southport on July 30 and after many planned protests failed to materialise on Wednesday night.
Sir Keir told the meeting that police need to remain on ‘high alert’.
He is understood to have said there was no doubt that levels of policing in the right places and swift justice over the past week, including sentencing, have acted as a deterrent to disorder.
Earlier yesterday, he told reporters that Wednesday night’s events turned out ‘much better than was expected’ and ‘anybody involving themselves in disorder, whatever they claim as their motive, will feel the full force of the law’.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said the arrests total stood at 483 by yesterday afternoon, but this is expected to ‘continue to rise significantly’.
