Tears in court as dad who trashed shop told 'it's a shame'

A violent thug sprayed police with a fire extinguisher before using the metal canister to smash his way into a Liverpool city centre shop. A judge said Liam Lewis, 27, put more effort into breaking into and looting a mobile phone shop than he did into making any contribution to society.

Lewis, of Sandway Crescent, Norris Green, was part of an "angry mob" which swept through the city on August 4, throwing bricks and other missiles at police and damaging local businesses. It came just a few days after similar large-scale violence broke out in Southport, spurred on by false online rumours about the murders of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar.

Lewis, who appeared in Liverpool Crown Court today, November 20, was caught on CCTV on Liverpool's Pier Head, moving onto the Strand. He threw bottles and bricks at police before arming himself with a fire extinguisher, taken from a local building site, and setting it off.

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He continued with the mob down Paradise Street onto Church Street, where he took part in an attack on a stall handing out free copies of the Quran. He then went to the Ifix phone repair shop, where he used the fire extinguisher to break the front window, allowing a swarm of looters to make off with around £100,000 worth of equipment while terrified staff hid in a back room.

Lewis, who has previous convictions for racially aggravated harassment and assault, appeared in court supported by his mum and heavily pregnant girlfriend, who cried throughout the hearing. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary.

Olivia Beesley, defending, said the dad-of-two "bitterly regretted" his actions. She said: "He tells me he regretted his actions as soon as he reflected on them. There are two points of regret, firstly in involving himself, and secondly in jeopardising the care of his children through his actions."

Judge Andrew Menary said: "This offending was in the context of earlier disorder in other parts of Merseyside, particularly the night of July 30 some five days earlier. You were involved throughout much of that day. You were seen on the Strand, not far from this court building, as part of an angry mob confronting other counter-protesters. It's likely that you were simply there because you saw it as an opportunity to behave badly, in a violent and unlawful way.

"There is footage showing you throwing items towards police lines, which were being besieged by the large number of people that had gathered. Later on that day, you were involved with others in the looting of a shop.

"It's clear that this disorder brought fear and destruction to local communities and there's an overwhelming obligation of the courts to do what they can to ensure the protection of the public, whether in their homes, their business or in the streets. Anyone who participates in this disorder, causing injury and damage and fear, must expect to receive severe sentenced, intended both to punish and deter.

"You were present near the Pier Head and the Strand when there was large scale public disorder and you were actively involved over a period of time. You then moved through the city centre, attacking a shop. The footage shows you holding a fire extinguisher and making a determined effort to break in. It's a great shame that in your short life you have not used such enthusiasm or industry in making a positive contribution to society."

He said Lewis' looting of the phone shop proved his behaviour "had nothing to do with any ethical principles or concerns" and "underlined the fact that you were simply part of a mob intent on causing serious damage". He sentenced the dad of two to a total of 32 months in prison.