Two rioters who were both ‘at the forefront’ of violent disorder across Britain last week have been jailed for over five years – as dozens of far-right thugs continue to face justice today.
Gas fitter John O’Malley, 43, who rioted outside a mosque in Southport last Tuesday in a crowd of 1,000 people, was told that he was ‘at the front of what was essentially a baying mob’.
O’Malley was sentenced on live television alongside semi-retired welder William Nelson Morgan, 69, who admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon – a wooden bat – in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Morgan, the oldest rioter to be convicted during the violence, was part of a group of about 100 thugs who set fire to bins, damaged businesses and buildings and threw missiles at police on County Road, Liverpool. Spellow Library was set on fire during the violent scenes.
Their cases were fast-tracked through the courts as the government looks to send a message to anyone involved in the civil unrest. As the rioters were being jailed, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called another emergency COBRA meeting.
Sentencing both to two years and eight months, Judge Andrew Menary KC said there was very serious mob violence taking place and ‘each of you were at the forefront’. He added: ‘Quite what they were protesting about remains a mystery to many’.
It comes as:
The judge told O’Malley: ‘You were part of a crowd using obviously racist and religiously intolerant language that was demonstrating quite deliberately outside a mosque, and you were an active and persistent participant.’
O’Malley has a conviction from 2006 for excess alcohol and a conviction from 2023 for assault by beating.
Morgan, who had no previous convictions, was told by the judge that his ‘advancing years’ did not stop him playing an ‘active part’ as part of a group ‘running amok’.
When the rioters clashed with police, ‘you were seen at the front of the mob holding in your hand… a small truncheon’, the judge continued.
‘I am sure you had [the weapon] with you to cause injury if the opportunity should arise.’ He told the court how he arrested arrest ‘with such force’ that it took three officers to detain him.
‘I think it is very sad indeed to see someone of your age and character in the dock of a Crown Court,’ he added.
Body-worn footage showed the widower telling officers to get off him as they attempted to arrest him.
At one point he said ‘I’m f****** 70’ and an officer responded: ‘Well, why are you at a f****** riot?’
Defending both men, Paul Lewis said: ‘As they stand before you after a period of reflection, they both now recognise there is no grievance that can be properly addressed by mob rule.’
He said Morgan accepted he acted in drink and was ‘disinhibited by the presence of a large crowd’.
He added: ‘Both men wish to profoundly apologise.’
It comes as dozens more far-right thugs are humbled as they face charges and sentencing.
The riots first started outside a mosque in Southport last Tuesday, near to where three girls were killed by a knifeman at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. But civil unrest spread across the country over false speculation online that the teenage suspect was a Muslim alyssum seeker who arrived in the UK on a boat.
One rioter who was bitten on the backside by a police dog after yelling ‘I pay your wages’ at embattled officers wept in court as he was jailed for over two years.
Ryan Sheers, 28, and his boyfriend Steven Mailen, 54, had spent the day at the bingo together before walking into the middle of the disorder that rocked Hartlepool on July 31st.
And today the number was up for both of them as they each received sentences of two years and two months in prison by a judge who told them the public were ‘rightly outraged by the behaviour seen on the streets of this country.’
The pair, both from Hartlepool, had pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and had been warned to expect jail, however Sheers burst into tears when the length of the term was announced.
Prosecutor Rachel Master told Teesside Crown Court that Sheers and Mailen were at the front of a crowd of people goading a line of police officers with shields and batons.
She said: ‘Over the course of 10 minutes Mailen goaded officers and used gestures and language that officers perceived to be inciting the crowd to use violence against the police.
‘He continued shouting abuse and refused to step back when asked.
‘An officer feared for his safety and that of his colleagues and struck the defendant to the leg with an extendable baton.’
At that point Sheers saw a ‘red mist’ and stepped in to defend his partner.
He was captured on video waving a finger at police officers and shouting at them: ‘I pay your wages.’ He also refused to step back and a police dog was deployed which latched itself onto his buttock, almost dragging off his shorts.
Ms Masters said: ‘This had the effect of dispersing the crowd.’
However in the melee as the dog had hold of Sheers, Mailen ran forward again and kicked a police constable repeatedly on the shins. It eventually took three officers to overpower and arrest him.
Nigel Soppitt, defending, said that both men rejected right wing ideology and as a same sex couple in Hartlepool had been the subject of prejudice.
The pair got involved in the rioting, he said, after their post-bingo lager ran out and they left home to go to the local shop, discovering there were some 200-300 people out on the streets.
Of Mailen – a care worker who is a former school governor and postmaster – he said: ‘He has no time at all for Far Right ideology.
He is in a relationship with Mr Sheers and has grown up in Hartlepool where they have suffered themselves a great deal of prejudice.’
He said that on his arrest Sheers immediately admitted to officers his behaviour had been ‘aggressive and disgusting’ and that he felt genuine remorse for his actions.
Cleveland’s Chief Constable Mark Webster sat in court throughout the proceedings flanked by some of his officers.
He issued a statement read by Ms Masters which said the damage caused in the rioting across Cleveland had amounted to an estimated £300,000 with 16 officers reporting injuries in a list that was still growing.
He said: ‘As the Chief Constable of Cleveland I can attest the level of aggression and violence officers faced and the damage to the community and property is unprecedented.’
Judge Francis Laird, KC, said that Sheers and Mailen had been ‘at the very forefront of the mob.’
He said: ‘You chose to take part in what was organised and large scale public disorder.
‘In that disorder police officers were attacked and there was large scale damage to property. Members of the public were forced to endure the devastation and chaos caused in their communities.
‘The public are rightly outraged by this behaviour on the streets of this country. For this scale of aggressive offending only a custodial sentence can be justified.’
Three men who took part in the riots in Plymouth were also jailed today for a total of more than six years.
A fourth man was also jailed for raiding a store while police tried to quell the violent demonstration in the Devon city centre on Monday night.
Grey-haired Daniel McGuire, 45, of Plymouth, balding Michael Williams, 51, of Sparkwell, Devon, and Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, of Tavistock, Devon, had all admitted violent disorder during Monday night’s violence between far-right protesters and anti fascist counterparts from a counter rally.
McGuire – with a distinctive facial tattoo – was jailed for 26 months, Williams for 32 months and anti fascist supporter Skeaping for 18 months.
Judge Robert Linford said people intent on causing violence in the city will face long jail terms saying: ‘We don’t want you.’
Earlier, we reported how an 18-year-old who was seen ‘celebrating’ after launching bricks at police officers during a ‘vile and destructive’ riot is also among dozens of far-right thugs who are facing justice this week.
Cole Stewart was cheered on as he hurled missiles at riot police who had been deployed to a violent protest in Darlington, County Durham, on Monday evening.
Shocking CCTV shows the teenager repeatedly throwing bricks and other objects near North Lodge Park, with one of them striking an officer.
The teenager wailed ‘I’m a child’ as he was pinned to the ground by police and arrested at the scene. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ahead of being sentenced on Friday.
Heather Blair, prosecuting, said an officer ‘felt a sharp blow to his wrist’ from an object believed to be thrown by Stewart, who was then seen ‘celebrating with his arms in the air’. Durham Police said he engaged in ‘vile and destructive behaviour’.
Brandon Welch was also charged with violent disorder after he allegedly used racist language and encouraged people to smash up property while live-streaming the Darlington riot on TikTok. The 18-year-old did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
As the charges continue to roll in today, another rioter was remanded in custody following an investigation into the alleged posting online of content encouraging violence against police officers and promoting public disorder.
Stuart Burns, 41, of Briar Bank, Carlisle, has been charged with two counts of an offence under Section 127 of the Communications Act. He will appear at North Cumbria Magistrates’ Court today.
Meanwhile four men were charged with violent disorder and one with criminal damager following protests across Manchester on the weekend.
Marcus Foster, Paul Smith, Steven Miller and Joseph Ley were charged with violent disorder and remanded in custody ahead of appearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today.
Oliver Chapman will appear at the same court, charged with criminal damage.
Miller, 38, of Woodward Street, Manchester, gave no indication of plea as he appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.
Prosecutor Robin Lynch said the charges related to disorder outside a hotel housing migrants on July 31.
District Judge Joanne Hirst remanded Miller into custody and ordered him to appear at Manchester Crown Court on August 29 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The Met Police also made ten more arrests last night over violent disorder at a protest in Whitehall on Wednesday. Protesters launched bottles and fireworks at police outside Downing Street.
Yesterday, one rioter shook and cried in the dock as he admitted punching a black man while another yob who was knocked to the ground by a police shield admitted to ‘spitting on officers’.
Liam Ryan, 28, sobbed in court as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder after travelling from West Yorkshire to Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens to ‘play an active role in the disorder’.
Prosecutor Laura Peers said social media footage showed ‘a black male being confronted by a large group of white males’, adding that Ryan could be seen ‘aiming a punch towards the male involved’.
After the three men were jailed in Liverpool, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘This is the swift action we’re taking. If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.’
One case of alleged terrorism is ‘actively under consideration’ following widespread disorder across the country, the Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has said.
And Julie Sweeney, 53, was remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of sending a threatening message suggesting blowing up ‘a mosque with adults inside’.
Derek Drummond, screamed ‘s***houses’ at officers as they tried to put on their protective gear during a riot in Southport last Tuesday before attacking one male PC as he tried to protect his colleagues.
The 58-year-old haulier, who called himself a ‘fool’ while handing himself in to police and has since lost his job, was sentenced at a fast-tracked hearing at Liverpool Crown Court alongside two other local men who took part in a riot in the city centre on Saturday.
Liam Riley, 40, was emotionless as he was sentenced to 20 months in prison after admitting violent disorder and racially aggravated behaviour, while Declan Geiran, 29, received 30 months for setting fire to a police van and sending a malicious communication.
The trio were the first to be jailed for violent disorder during the riots.
Dozens more riot suspects will go through the courts in expedited hearings this week, with 120 already charged and at least 428 arrested. The numbers are ‘expected to rise significantly day by day’, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said.
Drummond, Riley and Geiran were involved in riots near Southport Mosque last Tuesday following the vigil in the town for three girls who were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
Elsewhere, Aaron Johnson admitted using racist language on a live stream he broadcast to ‘millions of people’ from outside a hotel in Stockport thought to contain asylum seekers at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Laura Peers said Johnson ‘became aggressive to members of staff’ at the hotel, adding that he told them ‘he would smash their face in’.
Ms Peers added that ‘within the stream he repeatedly refers to migrants in a derogatory manner’ and used racist language.
Johnson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on August 21.
Elsewhere, a man has been charged with possessing a wooden stick as a weapon during a gathering in Birmingham.
TV coverage of the large gathering on Monday night led to claims on social media that someone was armed with a sword near a roundabout in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham.
A number of counter-protesters gathered in the area after social media rumours of a far-right march being staged there.
A man filmed by Sky News allegedly carrying a sharpened bat at a counter-protest in Birmingham on Monday denied possession of an offensive weapon.
Shehraz Sarwar, 46, pleaded not guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to possessing the ‘wooden stick with a cord wrapped around it’. He told the court it was a ‘religious staff’. Mr Sarwar faces trial on September 23.
Also in the West Midlands, Davina O’Shaughnessy, from Sandwell, pleaded not guilty to one count of racially aggravated threatening behaviour and not guilty to two counts of threatening behaviour at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court.
The 45-year-old is due to appear for trial at Walsall Magistrates’ Court on September 13.
In Sheffield, Jake Turton, 38, of Barnsley, appeared in the city’s magistrates’ court charged with violent disorder and driving a motor vehicle without its owner’s consent. He denied the charges and was remanded in custody.
In Hartlepool, a man who was allegedly seen ‘milling around’ and watching a boy set a police car on fire during riots appeared in court.
Anthony Calvert, 29, of Sandbanks Drive, Hartlepool, denied a charge of violent disorder during the hearing at Teesside Magistrates Court.
He said he told the boy he was going to ‘get himself in trouble for that’, the court heard. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 28.
The court appearances come as thousands of peaceful anti-racism demonstrators appeared to quash fears of further violent disorder on Wednesday night, despite the threat of more than 100 planned protests.
In many towns and cities shops were boarded up over fears of further rioting after a week of violent disorder which started in Southport, Merseyside, on July 30, but in most places, planned anti-immigration protests failed to materialise.
More of those arrested in the unrest of the past week will appear on court on Thursday, including some likely to be jailed on live television.
Three men were jailed on Wednesday for up to three years after admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.
On Wednesday evening, large numbers of counter-protesters gathered in areas including Walthamstow, east London, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool and Sheffield.
According to Stand Up to Racism, an estimated 25,000 people took to the streets to take a stand – they said – against racism and violence.
This included around 8,000 in Walthamstow, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Liverpool. Similar numbers were seen in Brighton and Newcastle, the group said.
In Walthamstow the crowd were chanting ‘Whose streets? Our streets’ and ‘Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here’.
Mahmood Faez told the PA news agency: ‘It fills our hearts. Regardless of race, religion, sexuality, this sends a strong message to racists that they are not wanted and they are not needed here.’
Officers were understood to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter-protests on Wednesday, with gatherings anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.
One police source said it was ‘probably going to be the busiest day of the week, into the evening’.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark said: ‘I’m really pleased with how it went. We put thousands of officers on the streets and I think the show of force from the police and frankly, the show of unity from communities together defeated the challenges that we’ve seen.’
He also told the BBC the Met had been carrying out ‘dawn raids’ on Thursday morning, searching for the most violent in the Whitehall protests and violence last week’, about 70% of whom have criminal backgrounds.
‘We’ve got criminal damage, violence, weapons offences, football banning orders. These are criminal thugs,’ Sir Mark said.
‘Any suggestion that they’re patriots, or they’ve got a cause that they’re protesting about is nonsense, and frankly, most of them are going to be charged with violent disorder and most of them are going to be going to prison for a few years.’
Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after punching a police officer in the face during a riot in Southport. He said he was a ‘fool’ when turned himself into police, before being jailed for three years.
Liam Riley, 40, of Walton Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and racially aggravated behaviour after being seen draped himself in a St George’s flag throwing rocks and bricks at the police during a riot in its city centre over the weekend. The 40-year-old fell when he tried to run away from officers who chased after him and has now been jailed for 20 months.
Declan Geiran, 29, of Kelso Road, Liverpool, was convicted of violent disorder and arson. The 29-year-old was seen setting fire to a police van outside ST George’s Hall in the city. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting to the offences and a separate charge of sending malicious communications.
Victoria Gray, 42, of West Hallam, Derbyshire, pushed police while carrying pepper spray during a violent confrontation in Nottingham was given a six-month suspended jail term and fined £200. She was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court after she admitted two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a weapon and using threatening words or behaviour to stir up racial hatred.
James Nelson, 18, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage after he was seen smashing police cars during disorder in Bolton over the weekend while wearing a pink balaclava. He was sentenced to two months in prison.
Liam Powell, 28, of Hendon Court, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine during a riot in Bolton. He was given a 12-month community order.
Shehraz Sarwar, 46, was filmed by Sky News allegedly carrying a sharpened bat at a counter-protest in Birmingham on Monday denied possession of an offensive weapon. He pleaded not guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to possessing the ‘wooden stick with a cord wrapped around it’. He told the court it was a ‘religious staff’. Mr Sarwar faces trial on September 23.
Aaron Johnson, 32, of Criterion Street, North Reddish, pleaded guilty to distributing images intended to stir up racial hatred. He was seen using racist language during a live-stream video he broadcast to ‘millions of people’ outside a hotel in Stockport thought to be housing asylum seekers. He will be sentenced on August 21.
Liam Ryan, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, wept in court as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder after travelling to Manchester to take part in a riot. Prosecutors said he was seen ‘aiming a punch’ towards a black man who had been confronted by a large group of white men. He is set to be sentenced in the week beginning August 12.
Phillip Prescott, 39, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court.
Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, of Warren Lane, Tavistock, admitted to violent disorder after pushing a 17-year-old boy off his bike and was caught on his own GoPro camera throwing a full bottle of Coca-Cola and a rock towards protesters in Plymouth on Monday, August 5. He will be sentenced on Thursday, August 8.
Daniel McGuire, 45, of Crescent Avenue, Plymouth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was seen pushing up against police riot shields before ‘spitting on officers and shields’ during a riot in the city on Monday, August 5. He will be sentenced on Thursday, August 8.
Michael Williams, 51, of Blacklands Close, Sparkwell, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was seen kicking another man and found with a stone ‘tucked into his jogging bottoms’ during a riot in Plymouth on Monday, August 5. He will be sentenced on Thursday, August 8.
William Nelson Morgan, 69, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place after he was seen carrying a wooden baton and being part of a crowd of people who were throwing bricks at police in Liverpool. He will be sentenced on August 29.
John O’Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being recognised by a member of the public on footage of the riot in Southport. He will be sentenced on August 29.
Adam Wharton, 28, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to burgling the Spellow Hub community centre with his brother amid the unrest in the city over the weekend. He swore at the district judge as he was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on August 29.
Ellis Wharton, 22, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to burgling the Spellow Hub community centre with his brother amid the unrest in the city over the weekend. He appeared in court with a black-eye after allegedly being assaulted in the court cells and will be sentenced on August 29.
A 14-year-old boy from Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen in a group of youths who were shooting fireworks at police and members of the public in the city cente. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Charlie Bullock, 21, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being described as ‘the main instigator’ of a large group of people pushing against police during a riot in Darlington. He admitted to throwing stones and rocks at officers and will be sentenced on Friday, August 9.
Cole Stewart, 18, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after a riot in Darlington after being seen ‘celebrating’ after throwing an object which hit a police officer. He will be sentenced on Friday, August 9.
A 17-year-old boy from Plymouth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after throwing a traffic cone and a rock towards a large group of protesters. He will be sentenced on September 5.
Joshua Simpson, 25, of no fixed abode but living in Cleethorpes, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker after kicking a police officer at a riot outside a Holiday Inn Express which was housing migrants in Rotherham. He will be sentenced on August 27.
Jordan Parlour, of Seacroft, Leeds, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive language after urging far-right yobs to ‘smash the f***’ out of a Britannia Hotel in the city housing asylum seekers. The 28-year-old, who was unable to go out to the protest because he had a broken heel, will be sentenced on Friday, August 9.
Josh Kellett, of Southcroft, Washington, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen throwing a stone at police officers while wearing a balaclava in Sunderland. The 29-year-old, who was identified by his ‘distinctive tattoos’, will be sentenced on September 2.
Leanne Hodgson, of Holborn Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after she was filmed pushing a large bin towards police officers duiring violence in Sunderland. The 43-year-old, described as being ‘very drunk and angry’ will be sentenced on September 2.
Andrew Smith, 41, of High Street East, Sunderland, wept in court as he admitted violent disorder after throwing an object at officers before being bitten by a police dog during a riot in Sunderland. He will be sentenced on September 2.
Dylan Carey, of Castle Hill Road, Hindley, Wigan, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being filmed kicking a police van and throwing objects at it during a riot in Southport. The 26-year-old will be sentenced on August 12.
A 15-year-old boy also pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was caught on video throwing a paving slab at a man’s head during a riot in Liverpool city centre.
Bradley Makin, 21, of Simonside Road, Springwell, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen encouraging people to take part in a riot in Sunderland over the weekend. The 21-year-old, who also admitted possession of cocaine and heroin, will be sentenced on Friday, August 9.
Andrew Stewart, 37, of Anlaby Road in Hull, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen throwing missiles at police and pushing a large burning waste bin towards officers. He will be sentenced on August 30.
Christopher Douglas, 35, of Avenues Court in Hull has been charged with violent disorder and possession of class B drugs. He has been remanded into custody to appear at Hull Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Stacey Vint, of Normanby Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after she was caught on camera attempting to push a burning waste bin towards police officers. In the process she fell over and was arrested by officers. The 34-year-old, who also admitted possession of cannabis, will be sentenced on August 28.
Tyla Chalmers-Millington, 18, of Langdale Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence during disorder in the town. He will be sentenced on September 4.
Ben Smith, 32, of Dickson Road, Blackpool, admitted to possession of an offensive weapon after being found carrying a metal pole during unrest over the weekend. He will be sentenced on September 16.
Roger Haywood, 41, of Yew Tree Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker during rioting in the north west at the weekend. He will be sentenced on September 4.
Carl Holliday, 30, of Tankerville Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after a riot in the town saw police attacked and cars set on fire over the weekend. He will be sentenced on September 2.
Gareth Rigby, 43, of Masefield Drive, Bolton, pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour after telling police officers to ‘f*** themselves during unrest in the town. He was fined £120.
Daniel Robinson, 37, of Lesley Street, Bolton, admitted possession of an offensive weapon after being seen carrying a hammer in Bolton town centre. He will be sentenced on September 2.
Matthew Edge, 34, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon after being found carrying a hammer at Bolton town hall, along with possession of a class B drug. He will be sentenced on September 2.
Thomas Rodgers, 22, of Wicklow Street, Middesbrough, pleaded guilty to unlawful violence and possession of an offensive weapon, namely rocks, during unrest in the town. He will be sentenced on August 27.
Jonathan Ambrose, 33, of Letitia House, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of cannabis during a riot in the town over the weekend. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Steven Mailen, 54, of Elliott Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after taking part in a riot in Hartlepool, The 54-year-old was seen shouting at police before being hit by an officer’s baton. He will be sentenced on September 2.
Ryan Sheers, 28, of Powlett Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen accompanying Mailen during the riot. He was bitten on the hip by a police dog during the unrest and will be sentenced on September 2.