In recent news, two men have been sentenced to the longest jail terms so far for their involvement in the violent disorder that occurred in England and Northern Ireland. David Wilkinson, 48, received a sentence of six years behind bars for his prominent role in the riots that took place in Hull on 3 August. Wilkinson was part of a baying mob that left a BMW driver in fear for his life as more than 100 angry men descended on him and his two cousins. The group tried to drag them from the vehicle, punched him in the head, and even attempted to hit him with a metal bar. In addition to this, Wilkinson also spat, threw missiles, and pushed wheelie bins at a police line protecting a hotel known to house asylum seekers.
Another individual, John Honey, 25, received a sentence of four years and eight months behind bars for his role in the violent disorder. Honey was involved in attacking the BMW, targeting a garage which resulted in nine vehicles being damaged, and pushing bins at police lines during the unrest. He became viral online for looting Lush, O2, and Shoezone in Hull while wearing an England flag shirt.
Roger Haywood, who led an angry and intimidating mob through Blackpool, has been jailed for 30 months. The 41-year-old man wore a “dad number 1” England football shirt as he encouraged a group to follow him to various locations around the seaside resort town. Haywood repeatedly verbally abused officers during the unrest and assaulted officers during his arrest. His actions included attempting to pull up the shutters of a store and assaulting a member of security. The video posted by Lancashire Police on social media shows Haywood being arrested while wearing the England shirt with “Dad 1” on the back.
Legal Consequences and Pursuit of Rioters
Forces across the country are actively pursuing individuals alleged to have played a role in the riots that occurred in towns and cities following the fatal stabbings of three children in Southport. According to the Ministry of Justice, a total of 460 people have appeared in magistrates’ courts on charges related to the disorder. Among those charged, at least 72 are under 18 years old, including a 13-year-old girl who pleaded guilty to threatening unlawful violence outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. The youngest individuals charged so far are two 12-year-old boys, both of whom pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder. The oldest person to be charged is William Morgan, 69, of Walton in Liverpool.
The recent violent disorder in England and Northern Ireland has had far-reaching consequences, with individuals receiving significant jail sentences for their involvement in the riots. The legal system is actively pursuing those responsible, regardless of their age, and holding them accountable for their actions. It is important for communities to come together to prevent such events from happening in the future and to promote peace and unity.