Teenager charged with violent disorder following rally outside Knowsley hotel appears in court

A teenager has appeared in court charged with offences following a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Jared Skeete of Irwell Close, Aigburth is charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency services worker following the demonstration outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, on Friday.

Skeete, with black curly hair and wearing a grey jumper, appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court where he spoke to give his date of birth and address.

No pleas were entered and the chairwoman of the magistrates bench, Melanie Beverly, remanded Skeete in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 13 March.

His mother was in court for the hearing, which lasted around half an hour.

Another 14 people who were also arrested following the protest, 12 men and two women between the ages of 13 and 54, have been conditionally bailed pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Merseyside Police made the arrests after violence erupted during a demonstration outside the Suites Hotel, which is believed to house asylum seekers.

The violence, which has been condemned by politicians, left an officer and two members of the public with slight injuries.

Lit fireworks were thrown at officers and a police van was set alight after being attacked with hammers.

A spokeswoman for SHARe Knowsley, a charity which supports refugees and asylum seekers, said: “Thankfully, Friday night is not a reflection of the feelings of the people of Merseyside, which has a great history of welcoming people.

“The outpouring of support we have received since Friday night has been overwhelming.”

On Saturday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman condemned disorder at the protest, adding that the “alleged behaviour of some asylum seekers is never an excuse for violence”.

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