Judge tells lout 'you're on the way to ruining your life'

A thug who hurled lit fireworks at police during shocking scenes of disorder at the Suites Hotel was released from prison but began dealing drugs only days later.

Jared Skeete had originally been locked up after brazenly sniffing ketamine in full view of officers and calling them "little sausages" as protests outside the Kirkby site descended into violence. The lout - who was described as being "at the forefront" of the trouble - was today told by a judge that he was "well on his way to ruining his life", having become embroiled within a county lines heroin and crack cocaine supply operation less than two weeks after he was freed from jail.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon that police officers executed a search warrant at the 20-year-old's home on Irwell Close in Aigburth and discovered a mobile phone which had been utilised as part of the "Tommy Line". A small quantity of cannabis was also seized from the address.

READ MORE: Prisoner failed to return to jail after 'squatting for too long'

READ MORE: Pervert asked police 'is this about the videos' when they came knocking at his door

Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, described how the device had been used to advertise the class A drugs for sale between March 12 and April 9. The ECHO understands Skeete was released from custody on February 26 this year, only 13 days before the number was first used to distribute the flare messages to heroin and crack cocaine users in the Widnes area.

He has a total of five previous convictions for six offences dating back to October 2017, including receiving a community order for possession of cannabis with intent to supply in 2022. The same court heard in April last year that the then 19-year-old was seen lighting and throwing between 15 and 20 fireworks and hurling them towards a police barricade during the incident at the Suites Hotel on February 10 2023, with one hitting an officer on the leg and exploding.

Skeete was also seen "holding aloft" a bag of white powder, which he later told police was ketamine, and "snorting" a quantity from his hand. Another PC was hit on the right foot by an object he had hurled and suffered minor injuries to this foot and his left arm.

The teenager meanwhile hurled abuse throughout the incident, being heard to shout: "Why are you protecting scumbags? You big gang of d***heads.

"I'll have you, I'll have you. Look at her with the little camera, you little snitch. What are you going to do you silly little sausage? Go and arrest those nonces.

"We're just trying to protect a kid. Hey you, fat a**e."

Skeete also kicked out at riot shields and was spotted attempting to pull them away from the clutches of police officers. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder on this occasion and was given three years in a young offenders' institute.

Peter White, defending, told the court on Wednesday: "Mr Skeete is well aware of the reality of the situation today. He accepts the crown's case entirely.

"It has to be conceded as an aggravating feature that there is a relevant previous conviction and the fact of him being on a home detention curfew, not even licence, having recently been released from custody. He is a gentleman who is still only 20 years of age.

"He has been diagnosed with ADHD. He tried to use his last time in custody as constructively as possible. He had hoped to gain employment on the railways, but that was yet to begin. He chose to make some easy money.

"His grandmother, who sits at the back of court, still supports him, but he appreciates that him being back and forth in and out of custody is no way to treat his loved ones and no way to treat himself. He is squandering what should be the best years of his life."

Skeete admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession of cannabis. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for three years.

Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: "You are well on the way to ruining your young life. I only hope that you have some sort of moment of clarity when you are in prison, so that you do not do this again."

Skeete replied "thank you" after learning his sentence. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of two phones seized from him and the destruction of the cannabis.

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here