Dad asks judge 'can I say two things' after admitting role in riots

A man who admitted his role in the Southport riots told a court: "I have no hatred towards police or any other race." Harvey Gabbott, 21 and of Hillside in Tarleton, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court this morning, Monday, August 12 charged with violent disorder as part of a widespread police operation into recent riots across Merseyside.

Gabbott, wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and sporting blonde hair, admitted his role in the rioting on St Luke's Road in Southport on July 30. The rioting, which saw officers pelted with bricks, vehicles set on fire and a mosque damaged, came after a peaceful vigil in Southport in memory of three young girls who died the previous day following a mass stabbing.

After Gabbott, a dad-of-one, admitted his role he asked the sitting judge if he could say two things. After District Judge Healey confirmed he could, Gabbott said: "Can I just say I have no hatred towards police or any other races. I’m nothing like that."

Jessica Pridding, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was identified as part of Merseyside Police’s Operation Pepper Berry - the force’s probe into the recent acts of disorder in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton. She said: "There is a series of footage from the widespread disorder in Southport.

"The defendant is seen wearing a long sleeve top and a bodywarmer. He is seen throwing a pint of beer-coloured liquid in the direction of police officers. He handed himself in and accepted he threw a plastic cup towards officers. He said he was nosey and didn’t expect it to get out of hand."

In mitigation, Ibrahim Nadim, defending, said: "The defendant accepts it was beer in the glass. He had no intention of going but saw what was happening on social media. He said it was a stupid thing to do. He is a roofer who has been in full time employment for five years.

"He has no previous convictions. He has a child of six months. He bitterly regrets doing it, he doesn’t know why he did it. It was a spur of the moment decision." Judge Healey refused the defendant bail and remanded him into custody to appear for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, August 16.

Gabbott is among 30 people who have been charged in relation with the disorder across Merseyside. Eight men have been convicted for their roles with a number of others to appear for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court later this week.

Violent clashes between police and protesters occurred on Tuesday July 30 in Southport and Saturday August 3 in Liverpool following the deaths of Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine during a mass stabbing in Southport.

Merseyside Police have so far charged 30 people in connection with the recent disorder in Southport and Liverpool. The latest number of people arrested stands at 52 and eight people have, as of August 12, been jailed.

Previously Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said the violence that had been caused by the riots was "despicable". He added: "Each and every person who took part can expect to face the consequences of their actions. We are still working through hours of footage and reams of images as it comes in and we’ll continue to arrest, charge and put before the courts anyone identified.

"The courts have acted swiftly to jail those people who being violence, racism and hatred into our communities and that will continue into next week. To anyone intent on bringing violence and disorder to Merseyside in the future: don’t. You will join the ever growing list of people convicted and jailed for bringing violent disorder to our streets. If you recognise any of the people pictured, contact us @MerpolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 24000663787."

Also in court today was a man who threw a missile during scenes of violence in Southport after he had apparently attended a vigil in memory of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Dylan Carey claims that he travelled to the seaside town from his Greater Manchester home as his girlfriend wanted to "lay flowers and light a candle" for the girls, who were stabbed to death aged six, seven and nine respectively the previous day.

But he then became embroiled within widespread disorder near to a mosque on St Luke's Road. The 26-year-old also kicked out at police vans as trouble flared after false information that the killer was connected to Islam was spread online. He is due to be sentenced later today.