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UK riots live: Protesters gather in huge anti racist demonstrations across England after threat of far-right riots
7 August 2024, 14:28 | Updated: 7 August 2024, 23:06
Anti-racism protesters have outnumbered the far-right - with demonstrations across the UK seeming largely peaceful so far tonight.
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Hundreds of counter-protesters gathered as more than 100 areas across the country were set to be targeted by far-right protesters tonight.
Today is the eighth day of escalating disorder.
Key points:
- The police are braced for over 100 far-right rallies and 30 counter-protests tonight as 6,000 officers have been deployed across 41 forces.
- A 58-year-old man who punched a police officer is the first person imprisoned on a violent disorder for his part in violence in Southport. He is sentenced to three years.
- Three men have been jailed for taking part in violent disorder in the riots on Merseyside.
Disorder has now lasted for a week, with unrest witnessed across England and in parts of Northern Ireland. There have so far been more than 420 arrests.
The riots were sparked after three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport last week.
Follow the latest below.
Brothers jailed for bulgrary of library in Liverpool
Brothers Adam Wharton, 28, and Ellis Wharton, 22, have been jailed for burglary with intent after admitting to looting the Spellow Hub library on County Road in Liverpool during riots in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Adam Wharton received 20 months.
Ellis Wharton received 8 months plus 3 for assault.
Clive Lewis, who attended an anti-racism protest last night, says it was "our chance to say, 'not in our name'".
Arrests following Southport killing riots reaches 483
The total number of arrests made relating to violent disorder following the Southport killings now stands at 483, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said.
The policing body also confirmed on Thursday afternoon that 149 charges had been brought so far, with the figure set to “continue to rise significantly”.
National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman Gavin Stephens said: “Officers and police staff are working flat out to progress investigations, acting on the mountain of intelligence and evidence gathered over the last week to secure convictions.”
He added: “We must not underestimate the physical and mental impact on officers facing the violent scenes from the past week. The criminal justice system is recognising the gravity of these offences to put those responsible behind bars.”
Britain's oldest rioter, 69-year-old grandfather, among several more jailed as crackdown continues after violent disorder
A 69-year-old grandfather has become the oldest rioter to be jailed, after he was sent to prison for 32 months for his part in violent disorder in Liverpool.
William Morgan of Walton, Liverpool, admitted violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday.
He was among several who were jailed on Thursday after taking part in the far-right riots that have rocked several towns and cities across England over the past week.
Read more about who has been jailed today here: Britain's oldest rioter, 69-year-old grandfather, among latest thugs jailed
No arrests during Nottingham protest last night
Police in Nottingham said they made no arrests during a protest held just outside the city centre on Wednesday evening.
Nottinghamshire Police said patrols will continue in the city over the weekend, but confirmed they were not acting on specific intelligence.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said: “Last night saw a peaceful protest held at Ruddington tram stop. A high-visibility police presence was deployed to the area to reassure the local community and to handle any disorder if it occurred.
“I can confirm there were no reports of disorder, and no arrests were made. I would like to personally thank the community for their support.
“Over the weekend, the community will see high-visibility patrols in Old Market Square and across our neighbourhoods. This is just as a precaution. So far there is no intelligence to suggest any planned disorder, but we will continuously monitor the situation.
“I would like to personally thank the community again for their continued support. I would also like to personally thank the many officers who have worked tirelessly to keep the public safe”.
Labour suspends councillor after telling counter-protestors to 'cut all the throats' of the 'fascists'
A Labour councillor has been suspended after telling counter-protestors in Walthamstow to "cut all the throats" of "fascists".
Dartford Labour councillor Ricky Jones has been suspended from the party after footage emerged showing him making the comments at Wednesday nights protests.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated," Labour said in a statement.
Adding: "The councillor has been suspended from the party.”
Attending last night's event in Walthamstow, Jones could be heard shouting "get rid of them all" in a video circulated online.
He also appeared to be applauded by a representative from Amnesty International in the footage.
The councillor can be seen to make a slashing motion with his finger towards his throat as he makes the comments.
Amnesty International has been contacted for comment.
'Anti-facist' who threw missiles and knocked boy off bike at Plymouth protest jailed for 18 months
A former bike company worker who attended a protest against fascism in Plymouth has been jailed for 18 months after throwing missiles and swinging his motorbike helmet to knock a boy off his bike.
Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, of Tavistock, Devon, admitted on Wednesday to a charge of violent disorder over Monday’s incident.
Judge Robert Linford, sentencing Ormond Skeaping at Plymouth Crown Court on Thursday, said, “You came to protest and to do so peacefully, but things rapidly deteriorated.”
Prosecutor Lewis Aldous said the defendant had a GoPro camera with him, which captured him throwing a full 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola and a rock that had first been thrown from elsewhere.
He said Ormond Skeaping was arrested after knocking a 17-year-old boy off a bike with his motorbike helmet.
Edward Bailey, for Ormond Skeaping, said the defendant was “against fascism”, “abhors any form of racism”, and had lost his employment at a bicycle company.
He said that the defendant has no previous convictions and his ADHD may “in part explain his impulsive behaviour”.
Grandfather, 69, becomes oldest rioter jailed after judge hands down 32-month sentence
A 69-year-old pensioner has become the oldest person to be jailed following violent riots across the UK.
Appearing in Liverpool Crown Court, William Morgan, of Linton Street, Walton, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for violent disorder during the unrest in Southport.
The pensioner stood accused of attacking a library that was later set on fire, as well as possessing an offensive weapon in the form of a coach.
Morgan was sentenced alongside John O'Malley, 43, who also received a 32-month sentence for violent disorder.
Judge Andrew Menary KC said rioters "were exploiting the anguish of others" for "their own twisted ideology" or simply the joy of "violence".
He added: "Your advancing years plainly did not prevent you from playing an active part in a disturbance on County Road".
Read more here: Grandfather, 69, becomes oldest rioter jailed after judge hands down 32-month sentence
Rioter found with 'healing stone' and couple who joined the riots after bingo session jailed
A “thug” who was seen kicking another man during protests in Plymouth has been jailed for 32 months.
Michael Williams, 51, of Sparkwell, Devon, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a charge of violent disorder relating to Monday’s incident.
He said Williams was “seen to be fighting and kicking another male” and when he was arrested he was found with a stone in his jogging bottoms.
The judge dismissed as “ludicrous” Williams’s claim that it was a “healing stone”.
Former postmaster and school governor Steven Mailen and his partner Ryan Sheers have each been jailed for two years and two months after their involvement in violent disorder
They became involved in riots in Hartlepool after going to an afternoon bingo session and Mr Mailen was described as “one of the main instigators” of a large-scale disturbance on Murray Street.
The Wharton brothers are in the dock
Brothers Ellis and Adam Wharton are awaiting sentencing for their role in the violent disorder on County Road which saw the loss of Spellow Library.
Ellis is sporting a black eye sustained during the rioting and Adam is sat as far away from his brother as possible. There are also two security guards sat between them.
Ellis Wharton, 22, was arrested at the Spellow Hub on County Road following a struggle with police.
He was caught with a computer screen on him and told police he’d been blackmailed by his brother to do it, and he was sorry.
Ellis is being sentenced only for burglary today. He has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and will face trial for that in October.
Adam Wharton, 28, was found on a nearby street. Following a search, he was found to have a balaclava on. Helicopter footage showed him acting as a lookout.
