Yahoo News Jailed in August: 26 killers, keyboard warriors and thugs now serving prison sentences
At the beginning of August 2024 a series of violent incidents erupted across the UK following the deaths of three schoolgirls who were murdered in Southport.
Far right groups took to the streets to host 'demonstrations' involving racist chants and violent disorder. Blackpool and Southport were among the towns which saw riots on the streets. But within weeks, many of those responsible were behind bars.
Also jailed was a dangerous driver who killed a man in a high speed crash, a boxer who killed a man with his fists, a drugs gang caught with 130kg of cocaine and a number of domestic abusers. Some faced lengthy trials, others pleaded guilty to their offences at the earliest opportunity but in each case a judge determined their crimes were so serious they must serve a prison sentence.
Van driver killed man in horror crash after running red light at high speed
A van driver who killed a man in a horror crash when he jumped a red light at high speed and hit his car has been jailed.
Lancashire Police said Reece Fowler "drove dangerously" directly through a red light at almost 30mph over the speed limit, colliding with a Ford Focus and killing the driver Martyn Smith. Emergency services rushed to the scene of the collision on Myerscough Smithy Road, Blackburn, shortly after 5.30am on February 23 last year.
Fowler's Citroen Dispatch grey van collided into the car at speed and despite the best efforts of members of the public and the emergency services, the 57-year-old victim from Burnley died at the scene. Crash data recovered from the vehicle shows that prior to the fatal collision, Fowler was driving at 77mph in a 50mph speed zone.
FULL STORY: Van driver killed man in horror crash after running red light at high speed
Mum's four-word message to son who ruined his life during one night of madness
A mum said "love you, it's ok" as her 20-year-old son with a promising future was jailed for a night of madness.
Jake Lowther, from Banks, was filmed throwing "two pieces of rock or concrete" towards police officers and was "seen to be part of the mob as it moved towards officers" during rioting in Southport. A court heard how he had never found himself in trouble with the police before the violent scenes unfolded in the town on July 30.
Around 50 police officers were injured as a 1,000-strong crowd descended on St Luke's Road. Rioters thereafter hurled missiles, "damaged and looted" properties and chanted "this is our f***ing country", "s***houses", "scumbag b*******s" and "Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?" as the nearby mosque on Sussex Road became the "focus" of the violence.
FULL STORY: Mum's four-word message to son who ruined his life during one night of madness
He 'heard a commotion' while drinking in the pub but was sent to jail for what he did next
A company manager who "heard a commotion" while out on an all-day drink sesh and "went outside to see what was happening" has been jailed for what he did next.
Nicholas Sinclair was seen "shouting towards the police and throwing missiles" including bricks, as well as "pointing and shouting" and "motioning for others to move forward into the surge of people as they pressed upon the police cordon". The violent scenes unfolded in Southport on July 30 - the day after the fatal stabbings of three young girls.
The 38-year-old was later recorded "rummaging in bins and bin bags" in the street. Sinclair handed himself in at Copy Lane Police Station on August 14 after footage of him was released as part of a public appeal by the force.
FULL STORY: He 'heard a commotion' while drinking in the pub but was sent to jail for what he did next
Dad landed at Manchester Airport from holiday to Greece and was sent straight to prison
A father-of-three landed at Manchester Airportfrom a holiday in Greece - and was arrested on the plane just minutes later for his role in the violent scenes in Southport.
Thomas Whitehead, 53, was "seen in and amongst the large group" which gathered outside a mosque in the town on July 30, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said his picture was circulated and he was arrested on August 13 at the airport on board a plane.
When interviewed, the self-employed told detectives that he had "been at a public house and noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening". Whitehead "accepted throwing an item" but said he "didn't believe it had hit any of the officers".
FULL STORY: Dad landed at Manchester Airport from holiday to Greece and was sent straight to prison
Dad-of-three left police officer 'fearing for his life' as he tried to smash van window
A father-of-three who left a police officer fearing for his life as he tried to smash a van window amid disorder has been jailed for three years.
Luke Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm after his image was published after violence broke out in Southport the day after a knife attack in which three girls were killed, a court heard. Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran, of Leybourne Avenue, Birkdale, was seen on footage with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver’s side window of a police vehicle with an officer inside.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC told Liverpool Crown Court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far.” He said serious disorder, in the form of vandalism, intimidation and violence, broke out in Merseyside and across the country following the fatal stabbing in Southport on July 29, in which three girls died.
FULL STORY: Dad-of-three left police officer 'fearing for his life' as he tried to smash van window
'She can see all the rage and all the hate in your eyes' - Morecambe dad's attack on partner left her gasping for breath
A man stood on his partner's throat wearing his work boots when their eight year relationship came to an end, a court heard.
Niall Ryan set upon the woman when she stopped paying for his phone. On February 2, 2024, Ryan visited the house in Lancaster and began unplugging the TV - saying he would remove items until she reactivated the phone account.
Ryan pushed the woman to the floor and stood on her throat. "The pressure was immenmse," Amanda Johnson, prosecuting, said. "She tried to take a breath but all she could do was wheeze.
"As she was getting up he kneed her in the stomach. He ran out of the house with her phone and she ran after him, calling for help."
Major M6 drugs bust as gang caught with 130kg of cocaine
An organised crime gang was busted on the M6 with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine. The drugs gang, who flooded millions of pounds worth of cocaine into the UK, have been jailed.
Martin Brown was caught red-handed with 130kg of drugs on the M6. Brown, 40, was part of a major drugs conspiracy that saw hundreds of kilograms of cocaine transported from London and Bedfordshire into the Midlands. He worked alongside Mark Cheadle, Paul Paterson, and James Piotrowski.
Officers from the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) uncovered that the four-strong drugs gang were transporting and distributing drugs in November 2022. A van hired by the group was stopped on the M6, and 130 kilograms of cocaine were found in the back, West Midlands Police said.
FULL STORY: Major M6 drugs bust as gang caught with 130kg of cocaine
Mum's horror at finding ex snoring on her sofa when she came home at 2am
A mum was horrified to find her ex snoring on her sofa when she returned home in the early hours of the morning.
Mark King, 56, was banned from having any contact with the woman or going within 100m of her house in , Crown heard. The couple had previously been in an 11 year relationship and had a daughter together.
But in June 2023, the family court granted a non-molestation order to keep them apart. On November 11, 2023, the woman returned home at 2am expecting her house to be empty.
She put her bag and keys down in the kitchen but was surprised her dogs did not react in their usual way when she walked through the door. She then heard snoring from the living room and saw King asleep on the sofa.
Fearing he may become violent if she woke him, she left the house and called the police.
FULL STORY: Mum's horror at finding ex snoring on her sofa when she came home at 2am
The 'dangerous and cowardly bully' who subjected pair to 'horrific attack' and showed no remorse
A 'dangerous and cowardly bully' who stabbed a woman and man at a house in a 'horrific attack' has been jailed for 15 years.
Fayaz Khan, 69, attended the home address of the victims in Burnley at 6pm on December 13 last year, a court heard. Once inside, he approached the female and produced a lock knife before 'repeatedly stabbing her'.
The pensioner then attacked and stabbed the male who was trying to disarm him and protect the woman and other people inside the property. Lancashire Constabulary officers rushed to the scene attended Khan was arrested at 6.07pm.
FULL STORY: The 'dangerous and cowardly bully' who subjected pair to 'horrific attack' and showed no remorse
Rioter 'smiled in satisfaction' as he hurled missile at police, but didn't realise officer knew him
A rioter who was seen to “smile in satisfaction” as he joined in violence outside a mosque has been jailed after he was recognised by an officer who went to school with him.
Self-employed joiner Paul Dryhurst, 33, was given a two-year prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday (August 19), where footage was shown of him in a crowd outside a mosque in Southport. Simon Leong, prosecuting, said "misinformation and lies" were spread on social media following the fatal knife attack at a dance class in the town on July 29 and led to huge numbers gathering outside the Southport Islamic Society Mosque, as evening prayers were under way, following a vigil in the town on July 30.
He said Dryhurst, of Gale Road, Litherland, was caught on footage from the scene and identified by a police constable, who recognised him as someone he went to school with. Sentencing him, Judge Denis Watson KC said: "You can be seen to pick up some item, throw it at police before seeming to smile in satisfaction then taking up a position to film the disorder."
FULL STORY: Rioter 'smiled in satisfaction' as he hurled missile at police, but didn't realise officer knew him
Southport riot thug's Subway boycott and racist attack at Pleasureland
A riot thug who was "at the forefront" of the disorder in Southport had previously staged a boycott of Subway and launched a racist attack at Pleasureland
Gareth Metcalfe was jailed for 40 months last week and nodded as he was sent down. His dad told him "see you Gareth, love you" as he was escorted out of the courtroom, while his mum added: "It's over."
The 44-year-old became embroiled in the violent disturbance on July 30 following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. The ECHO has revealed that Metcalfe previously staged a boycott of Subway, having posted a picture of himself on his Facebook page standing outside a store holding a placard headed "boycott Subway".
FULL STORY: Southport riot thug's Subway boycott and racist attack at Pleasureland
Blackpool thug launched 'running kick' at punk in Winter Gardens violence
A violent thug who instigated mob violence on the streets of has been jailed for 30 months.
Ethan Miles, 21, was captured on cameras kicking and punching police vehicles, throwing chairs, spitting at police officers and throwing missiles. He later took a running kick at a punk who had been headbutted to the ground in a clash outside the Winter Gardens, Crown heard.
Beth Pilling, prosecuting, said violence erupted in the resort on August 3 in the wake of the killing of three young girls at a holiday club in . Disorder broke out at the Metropole Hotel, where it is said a number of asylum seekers have been housed, the town's cenotaph, Blackpool mosque and .
FULL STORY: Blackpool thug launched 'running kick' at punk in Winter Gardens violence
Thug in England shirt with 'dad' on back led 'angry mob' through the streets of Blackpool
A thug in an England shirt who led an “angry mob” through the streets of Blackpool has been jailed for 30 months.
Roger Haywood, 41, was front and centre of a so-called ‘demonstration’ which saw protestors draped in Union Jacks march through the resort. The march was one of several across the UK in the wake of the tragic killings of three young girls who were stabbed to death at a summer holiday club in Southport.
Wearing a white football shirt with ‘Dad 1’ emblazoned on the back, Haywood marched with his arms in the air.
The father-of-three confronted a line of police officers who were protecting the War Memorial, telling them he wanted to “pay my respects”. When he was refused access to the monument he told officers they were “outnumbered ten to one” in a "clear threat to the police" - before turning to the hundreds of people behind him and beckoning them forwards.
FULL STORY: Thug in England shirt with 'dad' on back led 'angry mob' through the streets of Blackpool
She was screaming and crying in terror, but this 'dangerous rapist' didn't care
A 'dangerous rapist' has been jailed for 17 years with police hailing the 'incredible strength' shown by the victim in bringing her vile attacker to justice.
Daniel Owen Mercer was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court of raping a woman in Clayton-le-Moors. His victim was screaming and crying while 39-year-old Mercer raped her.
The homeless defendant was sentenced yesterday (August 15) to 14 years immediate custody, with a further three years extended licence after the Judge deemed him to be a 'dangerous offender'. Mercer was also ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.
FULL STORY: She was screaming and crying in terror, but this 'dangerous rapist' didn't care
Dad-of-six hurled 'slate' at police because 'everyone was doing it'
A father-of-six who threw 'pieces slate' at police 'because everyone was doing it' has been jailed.
Tony Hazlett was caught on CCTV launching two items, possibly bricks, towards officers during violent clashes in Southport on July 30. A court heard how the 46-year-old was later identified by his clothing, a distinctive blue polo shirt with green piping.
Prosecutor Chris Taylor said police visited his home on August 7 where Hazlett was "very drunk". He violently resisted arrest before clothes matching those seen in the CCTV footage were found.
FULL STORY: Dad-of-six hurled 'slate' at police because 'everyone was doing it'
Baby-faced rioter pelted police officers with bricks as violence flared
A young rioter who hurled bricks and a smoke flare at police during a violent outbreak in Southport has been sentenced to prison.
Tom Neblett was captured on CCTV launching missiles towards law enforcement during the chaotic scenes on July 30. The 20-year-old climbed onto a van and repeatedly threw missiles at police officers after attending a vigil in the town where mourners had gathered to remember Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were tragically stabbed to death the day before.
FULL STORY: Baby-faced rioter pelted police officers with bricks as violence flared
'Keyboard warrior', 53, jailed over 'blow the mosque up' Facebook post after Southport riots
A "keyboard warrior" who lived a “quiet, sheltered life” has been told by a judge that “even people like you need to go prison” after she posted an online message stating: “Blow the mosque up with the adults in it.”
Julie Sweeney, 53, was jailed on Wednesday (August 14) for 15 months after she sent the comment to her local community Facebook group. Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting, told the court one of the group’s 5,100 members became “uneasy” at a number of comments posted on the site in the wake of widespread violent disorder following the deaths of three young girls in Southport on June 29.
Following the posting of a photograph which showed a number of white and Asian people involved in the clean-up from the aftermath of the Southport disorder, Sweeney posted: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. Don’t protect the mosques. Blow the mosques up with the adults in it.”
FULL STORY: 'Keyboard warrior', 53, jailed over 'blow the mosque up' Facebook post after Southport riots
Thug hurled abuse at 'innocent' bus station worker, now he's in jail
A man who hurled abuse and threats at an 'innocent' bus station worker has been jailed.
LancsLive reported earlier this week how police were called to reports of an incident on Sunday (August 11) at Burnley bus station. Local PCSO's chased and detained a man who had caused damaged to the building.
He was arrested on suspicion of causing damage and using threatening and abusive words and behaviour towards an innocent member of staff at the building. In an update issued today (August 14), officers said Andrew Ashworth, from Blackburn, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison for criminal damage and section 4a Public Order.
READ MORE: Thug hurled abuse at 'innocent' bus station worker, now he's in jail
He should have been caring for his terminally ill dad, instead he hurled bricks at police
A man who hurled bricks at police when he 'should have been looking after his terminally ill dad' has been jailed.
Philip Prescott was seen on CCTV and video footage captured by a police helicopter taking items out of a bin and hurling them towards police officers after violent scenes flared up in Southport on July 30. It followed the the fatal stabbings of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, the previous day.
Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked during protesting on St Luke's Road in the seaside town. Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday (August 13) that Prescott and another man Gareth Metcalfe were involved in the disturbance.
FULL STORY: He should have been caring for his terminally ill dad, instead he hurled bricks at police
Man jailed for carrying metal pole during violent protests in Blackpool
A man has been jailed for having an offensive weapon on the day violence broke out in Blackpool.
On Saturday, August 3, the town was one of many across the country which saw unrest on the streets as protests got underway. Around 1,000 people from both left and right wing groups took to the streets in the seaside resort, Preston Crown Court heard.
Throughout the day, officers from Lancashire Constabulary tried to keep the situation under control and by 6:30pm, around 100 people remained. But as one man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, crossed Blackpool Promenade he was seen hiding a metal bar inside his jacket.
As officers went to arrest him, he put the bar and at least one bottle into a nearby planter. He was walking in the direction of Church Street, where the groups of protestors had gathered, the court heard.
FULL STORY: Man jailed for carrying metal pole during violent protests in Blackpool
He went to lay flowers and light a candle with pregnant partner but will now miss birth of his child for his 'unexpected' actions
A “hardworking family man” will miss the birth of his child after he was jailed for launching missiles at a police van during mob violence which broke out after a vigil in Southport.
Dylan Carey’s pregnant girlfriend burst into tears in the public gallery as he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he earlier admitted violent disorder. Carey, 26, travelled to the seaside town on July 30 with his girlfriend, Natasha Keenan, to lay flowers and light a candle a day after three girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class.
Widespread disorder involving a group of about 1,000 people started after the vigil ended with the focus of violence aimed at a local mosque and fuelled by misinformation on social media, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Chants of “who the f*** is Allah?” and “this is our f****** country” were heard as police officers came under fire from missiles as they formed a cordon to prevent the group from reaching the mosque.
He stalked woman for months and left her 'destroyed' and 'living a sheltered life'
An obsessed stalker who forced a woman to make changes to her daily routine to keep herself safe has been jailed.
Darren Mitchell embarked on a stalking campaign against the terrified victim for months and threatened to turn up at her place of work. The 23-year-old also began to follow her partner and left her feeling 'destroyed' and 'living a sheltered life'.
The Lancaster man, of no fixed address, was jailed for two-and-a-half years when he appeared before Preston Crown Court last Thursday (August 7). He had pleaded guilty to stalking and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour and was also made subject of a six-year restraining order.
FULL STORY: He stalked woman for months and left her 'destroyed' and 'living a sheltered life'
'What you think you saw, you didn't': Jail for man who took knife with him to A&E department
A man who took a knife into the A&E department at Royal Preston Hospital has been jailed for eight months.
Patrick Doran, 28, accompanied two women to the department on June 24, 2024, after an unrelated incident. On the way to the hospital he stopped at home to collect a flick knife as he feared for his safety, Preston Crown Court heard.
Sarah Gryffyd, prosecuting, told the court a triage nurse noticed Doran was holding an item, which appeared to be made of metal, inside a glove. Doran told her; "What you think you've seen, you haven't. I've just got out of prison."
FULL STORY: 'What you think you saw, you didn't': Jail for man who took knife with him to A&E department
Boxer found guilty of killing man found slumped in the door of Blackpool McDonalds
A boxer has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Daniel Allsop, who was found slumped in a doorway of McDonalds in Blackpool.
The jury at Preston Crown Court cleared Mali Wright of murder but unanimously found him guilty of the lesser charge. Daniel, 38, was was assaulted on Bethesda Road at around 4:30pm on Monday October 2, 2023.
Wright punched Daniel so hard that he broke several of his ribs and ruptured his spleen. Daniel walked away but collapsed in Bank Hey Road a short time later. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but died from his injuries on October 4.
Wright, 29, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged in connection with killing Daniel. Following a two week trial the jury cleared him of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter.
FULL STORY: Boxer found guilty of killing man found slumped in the door of Blackpool McDonalds
Preston thug jailed for 'headlock' role in railway station disorder
A Preston man has been jailed for his role in a violent outbreak at Preston railway station.
Declan Carroll, 26, was one of a number of men involved in the fight on January 23, 2021. Preston Crown Court heard how two men had travelled from Chorley to spend the day with friends and were waiting for a train home when trouble began.
As they stood in the smoking area, near the entrance to the Fishergate Centre, a group of men wearing dark clothes and face coverings approached them. They were walking in a threatening manner and fiddling with their pockets giving the impression they may be carrying weapons, the court heard
FULL STORY: Preston thug jailed for 'headlock' role in railway station disorder
