More thugs jailed for UK riots: Man, 60, weeps and cries 'I can't cope' as he's sentenced for attacking police while 'walking his dog', lout, 26, assaulted female cop and 49-year-old is jailed for three years for storming migrant hotel
More than 1,000 people have now been arrested in connection with this summer's far-right riots, including a 60-year-old who weeped in court and a lout who assaulted a female police officer.
Glyn Guest sobbed and wailed 'I can't cope' as he was jailed for two years and eight months for yanking a female police officer to the ground by her shield during a riot outside a hotel housing migrants in Rotherham.
The cop was left fearing for her safety during what she called 'a horrific incident of mindless thuggery'.
Guest barrister's admitted the 60-year-old had 'no explanation for his behaviour' and previously had no issues with those living at the hotel, which is located just two miles from his home.
But he decided to join the 'violent mob' while he was out walking his dog with a judge saying: 'You were playing your part to the full.'
Among the 575 people who have so far been charged, which includes a Sainsbury's looter who called a judge a 'b****' in court and a man jailed for three years for storming a hotel containing vulnerable asylum seekers.
A man has also appeared in court denying he had an imitation AK-47 rifle during a counter-protest while a rioter who turned up to a demo with a balaclava and a hammer has admitted he made a 'bad, stupid mistake'.
And a woman who posted online encouraging others to 'blow up' mosques with people inside was jailed for 15 months.
Courts are again packed with defendants today after far-right yobs took to high streets in towns and cities across the UK following the killings of three young girls in Southport on July 29. The attack was wrongly blamed on a fictitious Islamist migrant, a theory spread through online misinformation.
Police officers were seen detaining some far-right protesters after they tried to cross to the side of the opposing group in Plymouth on August 5
Far-right rioters are seen attempting to enter the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Rotherham, housing asylum seekers, on August 4
Glyn Guest, 60, has been jailed for two years and eight months at Sheffield Crown Court, after footage was shown to the court of him pulling a police officer to the ground by his shield outside a hotel
Father-of-three Trevor Lloyd, 49, was today jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court
Julie Sweeney, 53, posted a message online encouraging others to 'blow up' mosques with adults inside
Violence broke out in cities across England and also in Northern Ireland - and has been followed by a hundreds of charges including for children as young as 12, while those arrested also include a 69-year-old accused of vandalism in Liverpool.
Now a judge has said prosecutors 'do need to look' at charging ringleaders of the violence with the greater offence of rioting, which carries a maximum prison term of ten years, rather than just violent disorder, which carries five.
The words of Judge John Thackray KC, the Recorder of Hull, came after a three-year prison term was handed to Connor Whiteley, who kicked a female police officer to the ground during riots in the Yorkshire city.
Dozens of cases have appeared in England's courts today, including that of Julie Sweeney, 53, who was jailed at Chester Crown Court for 15 months after she admitted sending a threatening Facebook message on August 3.
Responding to a photograph of the Southport community cleaning up the mess left by rioters the night before, Sweeney said: 'Don't protect the mosques, blow the mosque up with the adults in it'.
She is one of several people sentenced in recent days for offences related to encouraging unrest online.
The court heard she lived a 'quiet, sheltered life' before sending the violent comment from her home in Church Lawton, Cheshire, which was later reported to the police.
On Wednesday she pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to sending a communication to convey a threat of death or serious harm.
Sentencing, Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester, said: 'You should have been looking at the news and media with horror like every right-minded person. Instead you chose to take part in stirring up hatred.
'You were part of a Facebook account which had 5,100 members. You had a big audience.
'You threatened a mosque, wherever it was. It truly was a terrible threat. So-called keyboard warriors like you must learn to take responsibility for your disgusting and inflammatory language.'
He added: 'You had an impressionable audience and potentially a vulnerable audience.
'Your comment was recklessly made, rather than intentionally, but appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.'
He said he took into account Sweeney's previous good character and a 'heart-rending letter' from her husband, whom she cares for, but went on: 'In circumstances such as these, even people like you need to go to prison.'
Meanwhile, Guest, 60, was jailed for two years and eight months after he pulled a police officer to the ground by his shield during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Footage of Guest repeatedly approaching a line of outnumbered police, who were protecting the Holiday Inn Express, was shown at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday.
The body-worn camera footage shot from behind a female police officer's riot shield showed Guest being pushed back five times before he grabs the shield of another officer, who is then pulled to the ground to the cheers of the crowd.
The female officer whose footage was played said in an impact statement 'I was terrified for my safety' during the disorder outside the hotel, during which more than 50 police were injured and there were attempts to storm and set light to the building.
The officer said 'it was a horrific incident of mindless thuggery' and that she had encountered 'nothing like it before' in her five and a half years of service.
Matthew Edge, 34, has pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, a hammer - as a court heard he admitted making a 'bad, stupid mistake'
Connor Whiteley, 26, who was jailed for three years at Hull Crown Court for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker
Pictures taken the morning after the disorder in Rotherham showed some of the damage done
Police are seen standing guard as protests were held in Manchester on August 3
Arrests were made as disorder erupted at the anti-immingration demonstration in Manchester
A police officer is seen trying to extinguish flames after a mob set a wheelie bin alight at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham which was housing asylum seekers
Chris Aspinall, defending, told the court his client 'simply has no explanation for his behaviour'.
Mr Aspinall said: 'He was out walking his dog. He lives about two miles from where this happened.
'He had no issues prior to the incident with the residents of the hotel. He's been trouble-free for at least 13 years.'
The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said the conduct of the 'mob' was 'vile towards the police officers'.
He told Guest: 'You were part of a violent mob and you were playing your part to the full.'
The court heard that Guest's nose was broken in the incident, to which Judge Richardson replied: 'He is the author of his own misfortune.'
He said: 'The maximum sentence for violent disorder is five years. It is a matter for Parliament to decide whether that is in need of revision, in the light of these recent events. I must pass sentence based upon the law as it is.'
Billy Pemberton, 31, who employs three people will also lose his business due to his 'stupidity' after he was filmed at the disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
The 31-year-old appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday after he admitted violent disorder in relation to the rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express.
But his sentencing was adjourned until Thursday at 10.30am after the court ran out of time.
The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how Pemberton was part of a group which was throwing missiles at a small group of 'cornered' police outside the hotel, but there was no evidence he threw anything at the officers himself.
He said he was also spotted in a group which was chanting 'who the f*** is Allah?'.
Pemberton has admitted picking up a police baton, dropped by an officer, and taking it away from the scene.
Gordon Stables, defending, said his client is 'utterly dejected and remorseful' and facing losing his business due to the inevitable prison sentence.
Mr Stables said Pemberton went to the hotel after 'seeing things on social media that were completely and utterly untrue, complete lies'.
He said: 'Others will suffer due to his stupidity.'
Another defendant who has admitted violent disorder in connection with the Rotherham violence, Peter Lynch, also had his case adjourned on Wednesday due to time constraints.
Lynch, 61, of Burman Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, will now be sentenced on August 22.
The cases today came after dozens of rioters appeared in court on Tuesday, including a man who was caught on camera rummaging through bins to find projectiles to throw at police.
Philip Prescott, 38, of Sefton Street, Southport, was sentenced to two years and four months after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport.
And police in Nottingham released new video footage this morning showing them giving an early wake-up call to one suspected rioter.
MIDDLESBROUGH: A car lies overturned and on fire during an ant-immigration protest
The man was arrested after a 19-year-old Asian man was attacked, kicked and punched by several men in the city's Old Market Square.
Elsewhere a 49-year-old man who was part of a mob that stormed the same hotel has been jailed for three years.
Father-of-three Trevor Lloyd filmed on a phone as the Holiday Inn Express was breached before following a group of men into the building through a smashed-in fire door, a judge was told.
Sheffield Crown Court was shown TikTok footage of the crowd breaking in to the hotel, bringing items including furniture and fire extinguishers outside and then throwing them at a line of police officers holding riot shields who were forced to retreat by the barrage.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said this was the 'worst footage I have seen'.
Judge Richardson told him the hotel residents and staff 'would have been terrified' when the mob smashed their way into the hotel building.
The judge said: 'I have seen the footage of what occurred. It was frightening and alarming even to watch in the court room. It must have been utterly terrifying for those present, including the police officers.'
Richard Adams, defending, said his client had gone to the area to go shopping at the Aldi supermarket next to the hotel but 'he made the foolish error of deciding to go and have a look' at the disorder.
Elliott Wragg, 23, was also part of the mob and was today sentenced to two years and four months, after insisting to a court he held no 'racist views'.
Video footage showed Wragg hurling objects at the riot police, who were vastly outnumbered by the mob.
Prosecutor Neil Coxon told Sheffield Crown Court: 'This takes place in the context of serious violence disorder which occurred on 4 August. Looking through the viewing log, footage shows that there is a large group of people, several of whom are wearing face coverings, but this defendant is not.
'The group was stood on a path just outside the premises that was the Holiday Inn. There is a man in a white T-shirt, and that is the defendant. He can then be seen picking up an item from the ground and throwing it in the direction of officers against the wall of the Holiday Inn.
'The next photograph shows the defendant throwing a piece of wood, and another shows the police stood in front of the Holiday Inn.'
Police dealing with trouble on St Lukes Road, Southport on July 30 as hundreds of people gathered on the street
CCTV footage showed Carey wearing black shorts, a grey t-shirt, and black cap, as he twice fly-kicked a police van and hurled a tin of paint and bottle at the vehicle (Pictured: A police van in St Luke's Road in Southport on July 30)
Wragg, who has no previous convictions and has worked for the same employer for seven years since leaving school pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He has a two year old child.
Jailing him, Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told him: 'You have bought all of this misfortune on yourself because of your conduct.'
Connor Whiteley, 26, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker after playing a 'prominent role' in the 'racist, hate-fuelled mob violence' that unfolded in Hull on August 3.
He was jailed on Wednesday as the judge encouraged prosecutors to consider charging offenders who played central roles in the disorder with rioting, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years - double the potential tariff for violent disorder convictions.
Hull Crown Court heard Whiteley was at the front of a group confronting police who were trying to protect a hotel known to house asylum seekers, and was seen charging at officers.
The court heard he kicked the shield of a female police officer, forcing her off her feet and leaving her with a minor injury to her elbow and forearm.
Whiteley was also part of a group that targeted a garage, setting cars alight and shouting threats at staff, who were forced to lock themselves inside. He was jailed for three years.
A man who looted a Sainsbury's store during violent scenes in Manchester city centre yesterday told a judge to 'f*** off' and 'swivel on that, you b****'.
Kye McGlade, 24, pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder, theft from a shop, and criminal damage on August 3, at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
Prosecutor Aqsa Khan told the court that McGlade was part of a group that was 'kicking shop windows and throwing bottles at police'.
McGlade, who was said to have previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers, also admitted a breach of a conditional discharge.
Opposing groups of protesters goaded each other outside Bolton Town Hall on August 4
Remanding him into custody, District Judge Joanne Hirst said the offences were 'too serious' to be dealt with by magistrates.
She told him: 'You have admitted taking part in the shameful disorder that took place in our city recently.
'You were heavily involved in that in terms of looting alcohol and criminally damaging other people's property.'
As he was led to the cells, McGlade, of no fixed abode, told the judge to 'f*** off', adding: 'Swivel on that, you b****.'
He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court for sentence next Tuesday.
A banned motorist who drove 50 miles with his 15 year old son in the car to join the mob in Rotherham has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Stuart Bolton, 38, a ground worker who claimed to have 'anger issues' because of his small stature, received a cut to the back of his head during the Rotherham mob violence.
Video footage played at Sheffield Crown Court showed bald-headed Bolton shouting and posturing towards police.
Audio captures him shouting 'Come here you P***, finish it, finish it' and police, and 'You're a f***ing dosser, you, you P*** bastard, me and you now. One on one, I'll kill you. I'll kill you. F*** that, f*** that, f*** that.'
Prosecutor Neil Coxon said: 'He was not initially identified but came to the police's attention when he went to a Shell petrol station. He was driving a grey Mercedes - he was at the time a disqualified driver.
'Upon entering a petrol station he began to boast he had been involved in the violent disorder, stating that officers at the scene caused an injury to his head. The police then did a trawl of CCTV that showed two videos that showed this defendant after he had a cut to his head. It is him violently remonstrating with the police.'
Mr Coxon told the court Bolton is disqualified from driving until 4 April 2026 and he had no insurance for his Mercedes.
Bolton travelled from his home in Barrow-upon-Humber - about a 50-mile journey - with his partner and 15 year old son after watching live coverage.
Bolton has a criminal record of 37 offences, including for violence, theft, dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified
Elliott Wragg, 23, threw objects at police during rioting in Rotherham
Bolton has a criminal record of 37 offences, including for violence, theft, dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
He pleaded guilty to violent disorder, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance on 4 August.
As well as a jail term Bolton had the Mercedes taken from him through a depravation order. He must also serve a three year driving disqualification.
Sentencing Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told him that he indulged in 'high octane abuse of police officers'.
'You were acting aggressively in the midst of utter violent disorder that the officers were trying to quell,' said the judge.
'You were encouraging the remainder of the crowd around you to indulge in violence. It was very provocative behaviour in the midst of mayhem.'
Elsewhere, Habeeb Khan today pleaded not guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to a charge of possessing an imitation AK-47 with intent to cause 'members of the EDL' - the English Defence League - to believe violence would be used against them.
The 49-year-old, from Sparkbrook in Birmingham, also denied sending a communication threatening death or serious harm between August 4 and 6 in a video uploaded to social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Khan, who is being held in custody, was ordered to stand trial on November 18.
Meanwhile, a balaclava-clad thug who was armed with a hammer before violence erupted in Bolton said he had made a 'very bad, stupid mistake'.
Mathew Edge, 34, has been jailed for a year for being in possession of an offensive weapon following large scale disorder in the town.
He is thought to be the first offender to be sentenced in a Greater Manchester crown court in connection with the recent public disorder.
A Manchester city centre supermarket was forced to close after being 'stormed' by a gang of mass yobs during the disorder on August 3
Opposing groups goaded each other outside Bolton town hall on August 4, with one set of protestors facing off a rival group of counter-demonstrators.
Bricks and other missiles were launched at police officers trying to keep rival factions apart.
Bolton was one of a number of areas with an 'increased level of unrest and disorder in reaction to the tragic events in Southport', Bolton Crown Court heard.
At about 1pm that day, police became aware of a man wearing a balaclava who was part of the crowds outside the town hall, prosecutor Kate Gaskell said.
An officer approached Edge and searched him and he was found to be in possession of a 'small hammer' and some cannabis.
Edge told the officer that he had the hammer because he was 'scared of people stabbing him and his friends'.
Ms Gaskell told the court: 'He repeatedly apologised, saying it was his own fault and he had got agitated and scared.
'He further said he wasn't a racist, his friend had told him to come down and he had made a very bad stupid mistake.'
A man has been jailed for a total of 16 months for assaulting a female police officer and attacking another man during a counter-demonstration in Brighton on 7 August.
Ian Ward, aged 53 from Portslade, was part of a 1,000 strong counter-demonstration, which had been organised in response to recent unrest.
Police were keeping the counter-protestors separate from a small group of demonstrators when Ward approached the line of police officers, punching one of the demonstrators in the face and pushing one of the police officers.
Ward told police that he had not planned to attend the protest on 7 August but happened to find himself there. He was identified by police from footage shot by at the scene. When arrested, he admitted the assaults and showed no remorse in interview, telling officers he knew there 'would be some follow up'.
Ian Ward, 53, from Portslade
He had been in the pub earlier, where he had drunk a pint of non-alcoholic Guinness, the court was told.
Edge, who has 18 convictions for 32 offences, was interviewed by police and claimed he had been given the hammer by a friend.
Ms Gaskell said: 'He denied being aware of what was going on in the town centre that day, thinking it was linked to the football.'
Edge, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis.
He was jailed for 12 months by Judge Martin Walsh, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton.
The judge said: 'Bolton was one of five areas across Greater Manchester which experienced substantial levels of unrest and disorder which had broken out, in an utterly misguided and totally unjustified reaction to the tragic events that had unfolded in Southport some days before.'
He told Edge: 'Your arrest occurred within the context of a significant incident of public disorder.
'Many individuals will have attended in order to engage in peaceful demonstration, but a significant number were intent upon seeking confrontation, using violence and causing large scale public disorder.
'Your presence within the large group that had congregated in the vicinity of the town hall was not accidental or coincidental. You had arrived in Bolton town centre having armed yourself with an offensive weapon, and having consciously made a decision to mask your identity.
'Although prior to being searched you had not produced the weapon, it is clear that at the very least you anticipated an outbreak of public disorder in which weapons might be used.'
Defending, Alex Beevers said Edge accepted having made a 'conscious decision to embroil himself in what would inevitably second into hooliganism'.
'If an example is to be made of him, so be it, he accepts that,' the barrister added.
In Bristol a man who told police officers 'Shame on you, you horrible c****, I hope it's your f****** kids next mate' has been jailed for 25 months.
Mark Bowen, 40, of no fixed address, was part of a crowd that was seen pelting officers with objects and screaming 'we want our country back'.
Mr Yates said a small number of officers on bicycles were in 'genuine fear' as they tried to keep the anti-immigration protesters from entering the Mercure Hotel, which is used to house asylum seekers.
Bowen, who said he had consumed up to 10 pints of cider, claimed in police interview that he did not have social media and believed he was joining in with a 'football celebration'.
Representing Bowen, Giles Nelson said his client was homeless, did not have social media and was 'mortified' to hear of the comments he had made to police.
'He is deeply disgusted with himself. He doesn't have racist beliefs or ideologies,' Mr Nelson said.
Judge Moira Macmillan, referring to the comments Bowen made to officers, told him: 'It was a despicable thing for you to say.'
Earlier Dominic Capaldi, 34, was jailed for 34 months for violent disorder.
Bristol Crown Court heard Capaldi was captured on police bodycam footage throwing objects towards officers in the city's Castle Park, including while crowds chanted 'send them back'.
Dominic Capaldi, 34, who has been jailed for 34 months for violent disorder in Bristol on August 3
Daniel Russell, 47, who has been jailed for 32 months after admitting violent disorder in Bristol on August 3 - he was filmed attacking a black man
The ground worker was also seen throwing objects at police who were trying to protect protesters from gaining entry to the Mercure Hotel, which is used to house asylum seekers.
Defending Capaldi, John Stokes told the court: 'It is very sadly a case of 'hindsight is a wonderful thing', he recognises now with retrospect the foolishness of his actions on that day.'
Mr Stokes said Capaldi's child was turning seven on the day of his sentencing, with the consequences of his client's offending having a 'significant' impact on his family.
Judge Martin Picton jailed Capaldi for 34 months, telling the court: 'This was the first post-Southport protest in Bristol to turn violent, but it has to be seen in the context of co-ordinated action on the part of extremists to cause violence, and by so doing to generate fear on the part of the community as a whole.'
Daniel Russell, 47, also from Bristol, has been jailed for 32 months after admitting violent disorder.
Bristol Crown Court heard Russell was seen kicking a black man, who may have been part of an anti-racism protest, after the man broke through police lines separating the two groups in Castle Park.
The ground worker was then captured on footage posted on social media kicking out at counter-protesters who were stood in front of the entrance to the Mercure Hotel in Bristol, which is used to house asylum seekers.
Representing Russell, Mark Linehan told the court: 'Mr Russell is profoundly ashamed of his actions on that day. He apologises to those that had to witness it, those that had to experience it in uniform, and to the community at large.'
Mr Linehan said his client had learning difficulties and sustained a head injury as a child after being accidentally shot in the head by a pellet gun.
A man who took part in the disorder at Whitehall on the evening of July 31 has been sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Former milkman David Probert, 50, of Hertfordshire, appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to one charge of violent disorder.
Footage played to the court showed Probert repeatedly lunging and charging at police who were attempting to diffuse the situation.
He was one of the more than 100 people to be arrested after protesters clashed with police officers during a demonstration.
A statement read out in court on behalf of Probert claimed he attended the protest after being left 'very upset' by the murder of three girls in Southport on July 29.
The court also heard that he had recently been diagnosed with autism and suffered from a number of mental health issues.
Sentencing, Judge Benedict Kelleher told the defendant: 'Violent protest cannot be tolerated. Those who engage in such violence can expect to receive serious sentences to punish and deter people from taking part in similar behaviour.'
In Sunderland, a man filmed waving from the top of an overturned car and looting fire extinguishers from a vandalised business was jailed for two years.
Riley Adey, 19, was part of a group that attacked police during a 'protest that soon turned to widespread violence' in the city on August 2.
He was filmed repeatedly throwing missiles at officers, including a vape, a brick and a scaffolding pole, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Adey, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was also seen standing and waving on top of an overturned vehicle after it had been set alight, and taking two fire extinguishers from a damaged building.
Sentenced alongside him was Reece Greenwood, 31, of Washington, who livestreamed his involvement on social media and encouraged what was going on. He was sent to prison for two-and-a-half years.
Prosecutor Omar Ahmad told Newcastle Crown Court: 'During the footage the defendant is seen to actively encourage the violent disorder that is unfolding.
'The defendant is verbally abusing police officers repeatedly and is seen shouting encouragement as others throw missiles at police officers. At times he is heard making racial or religious remarks.'
The court heard Greenwood, who has no recent or relevant convictions but does have a criminal record, referred to 'f**ing muslim b******s' and shouted 'whose streets? our streets' during the trouble.
Mr Ahmad said: 'He was heard in the footage laughing, seemingly in excitement and encouragement.'
Kevin Searle, 40, of Weymouth, has pleaded guilty at Poole Magistrates' Court to charges of violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker at a protest in Weymouth.
His case has been sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for the next hearing on Thursday, August 15.
