Southport riots: Pensioner among men jailed for two years and eight months for violent disorder

Judge Andrew Menary KC explains how three police officers had to restrain William Nelson Morgan, 69, during riots in Liverpool.

A grandfather who armed himself with a wooden cosh and joined a “mob” who attacked police and damaged buildings in the wake of the Southport stabbing has been jailed.

It took three police officers to restrain William Nelson Morgan, 69, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The retired welder, of Linton Street, Walton, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday for his role in the riots in the Sefton town.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, said Morgan, who has no previous conviction, was seen by police holding a wooden weapon.

Judge Andrew Menary KC describes how John O'Malley as at the front of a 'baying mob' as he sentenced him to 32 months in jail.

Body-worn footage showed the widower telling officers to get off him as they attempted to arrest him.

At one point he said “I’m f****** 70” and an officer responded: “Well, why are you at a f****** riot?”

Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “Your advancing years plainly did not prevent you from playing an active part in a disturbance on County Road.”

He added: “I think it is very sad indeed to see someone of your age and character in the dock of a crown court.”

Meanwhile, John O'Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport pleaded guilty to violent disorder in his hometown. He was also sentenced to two years and eight months.

The court heard how O'Malley was among a group of up to 1,000 people involved in the disorder outside a mosque on Tuesday, 30 July.

More than 50 police officers were injured as protesters hurled bricks, lit fires, and threw bins and bottles.

The riot occurred on the same day a peaceful vigil, held for Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, took place.

The judge hands down sentences for the pair in the first televised sentencing hearings over the riots sparked by the tragedy in Southport.

The court heard O’Malley was identified from footage which showed a crowd throwing missiles, including bins, at officers.

Addressing the judge as the video was played, Mr Taylor said: “Your lordship sees the ratio of police officers to members of the mob, those officers being seriously outnumbered.”

Judge Menary said: “It seems there were hundreds of people observing this event as if it was some kind of Tuesday night entertainment. All of them should be frankly ashamed of themselves.”

Mr Taylor said O’Malley, who had two previous convictions, was arrested on August 4 and told police he had been subjected to threats because of his involvement.

Sentencing him, the judge said: “You were present from an early stage at the disturbance on St Luke’s Road, Southport.

“There’s very clear footage showing the developing disorder and you were at the front of what was essentially a baying mob.”

He said the unemployed gas fitter was part of a group who broke through police lines and was present as missiles were thrown.

He said: “It was relentless and you were at the front and participating enthusiastically.”

Both sentences were reduced by a third to take account of the defendants’ guilty pleas.

A serious violence reduction order is imposed upon Morgan, to begin upon his release and lasting for two years.

The pair's cases have been fast-tracked through the courts as police, prosecutors, and the government look to send a message to anyone involved in the disorder.

Jail sentences and community orders have been handed to individuals involved in violence across the United Kingdom.

The move, seen as a stern warning to potential offenders, comes after a week of escalating unrest which has left communities reeling from acts of criminal damage and assault.

Meanwhile, brothers Adam, 28, and Ellis Wharton, 22, were jailed after Spellow Library in Walton was targeted by rioters.

Adam Wharton, 28, of Selwyn Street, in Kirkdale, was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to burglary with intent to steal.

His younger brother Ellis Wharton, 22, of the same address, was jailed for 11 months years after pleading guilty to burglary with intent to steal and assaulting an emergency services worker.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “This should serve as a stark warning to anyone who chooses to take part in such abhorrent behaviour.

'You will be swiftly arrested and could end up in a jail cell for a considerable amount of time.

In Manchester, a man pleaded guilty to violent disorder after admitting throwing bricks at police during disturbances outside a hotel in the city which was being used to house asylum seekers.

Paul Smith, 21, pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning and was remanded in custody after he was seen throwing “what appeared to be a glass beer bottle” during disorder outside the Holiday Inn hotel on 31 July.

Steven Miller, 38, who is also charged with violent disorder in connection with the same incident, gave no indication of plea.

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