Faces of five threatening thugs jailed after violent disorder

-Credit: (Image: Staffordshire Police)
-Credit: (Image: Staffordshire Police)


These are the faces of five threatening thugs who today, Tuesday, September 24, were jailed for their part in violent disorder. It followed trouble in Stoke-on-Trent on August 3.

Jarrod Hollinshead, 26, ran towards officers with a brick in his hand and threw it while shouting abusive words. He was arrested immediately afterwards. Hollinshead, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment after he admitted affray at an earlier hearing.

Andrew Townley, 45, of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was seen on social media footage and body-worn video challenging a police officer who was trying to keep crowds from breaking through a line of officers in Hanley. Townley grabbed the shield of one of the officers, pushed her and continued to fuel the aggressive nature of the trouble along with large pockets of people.

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He was quickly identified from the footage and charged with the offences. Townley was given a 34-month sentence after he previously admitted violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Ashley Morris, 31, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, was seen on CCTV and body-worn video repeatedly trying to get past officers who were policing the violent disorder. Morris launched bricks and missiles at people in the area and challenged officers who were holding the line with shields.

After being questioned about his involvement in custody, Morris was charged with the offence and sent to court. Morris has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after he admitted violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

James Watkins, 35, of Stoke-on-Trent, challenged members of the public to a fight and challenged officers on the frontline. He pushed an officer who was holding a shield, got a glass bottle out of his bag, and said ‘let’s play’ before threatening to use the bottle as a weapon.

He repeatedly tried to incite violence and show acts of aggression against members of the public and the officers at the scene. Watkins was arrested on August 27 and charged with the offence. He was given a 36-month sentence after he previously admitted violent disorder.

Lee Grocott, 48, of Stoke-on-Trent, was seen on footage launching missiles at people in the area and shouting aggressively at officers who were on the frontline trying to keep people safe. Grocott was arrested after he was identified on evidential footage from the scene and charged with the offences. He was sentenced to 32 months behind bars after he previously admitted violent disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison, of Staffordshire Police, said: “Those involved in the senseless acts we’ve seen in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth are being identified every day and brought before the courts. More and more offenders will be sent to prison as our detectives continue to work tirelessly to review all the evidence we have. I can assure communities that decisive action is being taken against those involved. Some haven’t been arrested yet, but we are coming for them.”

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