Liverpool riots: First group of people involved in riots appear in court - with one swearing as he was taken away

The riots began in Southport last Tuesday - a day after three girls were killed in a knife attack in the Merseyside town.

The demonstrations - whipped up by far-right agitators sharing misinformation about the suspect online - spread to cities and towns including Manchester, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Rotherham and Bolton.

Hundreds of people have been arrested across the country. Here are the details of some of those who have appeared in court accused of taking part in the riots.

A 14-year-old boy - Liverpool

The youngest of those to appear in court was a 14-year-old boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age.

He said he understood how "foolish and silly" he had been after pleading guilty to violent disorder over the rioting in Liverpool city centre, a court heard.

Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard the teenager, from Liverpool, was part of a group of eight to 12 males who were lighting fireworks and setting them off in the direction of members of the public and police officers near a branch of B&M in Clayton Square that had already been looted on Saturday night.

Police charge at protesters in Liverpool, following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport, in which three young children were killed. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2024.

The teenager was caught on CCTV footage with a firework in his hand but when arrested told officers: "I'm sorry, I wasn't firing them at you".

The court heard he had no previous convictions and had never been in trouble with the police before.

His lawyer Iqbal Singh Kang said the incident was "completely out of character for him and his family". The boy's father and uncle were in court.

He said the youngster went to the city centre to catch a bus and amid the "widescale disorder across the city became involved with people he didn't know who were offering out various fireworks".

Mr Kang said the teenager was held in police custody for two days, adding: "Now he's thought it through properly he understands how foolish and silly he has been and wishes he could turn the clock back."

The teenager was granted bail, with a condition he does not enter Liverpool city centre, ahead of sentencing on 27 August.

William Nelson Morgan - Liverpool

A 69-year-old welder, the oldest to appear in court so far, has admitted his role in Saturday's riots in Liverpool, where he came armed with a wooden bat.

William Nelson Morgan, from Walton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

Heavy police presence as people protest in Liverpool, following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport, in which three young children were killed. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2024.

The court heard around 100 people set fire to bins, damaged local businesses, and set fire to other buildings in County Road, Walton, on Saturday night.

Morgan, who had no previous convictions, was said to be part of a crowd involved in throwing bricks and had a wooden bat or cosh with him.

District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on 29 August.

Derek Drummond - Southport

Derek Drummond, 58, admitted punching a police officer in the face during a riot in Southport. Members of his family wept as he appeared in court.

The Southport resident pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault during last Tuesday's violence in the Merseyside town.

The prosecutor told Liverpool Magistrates' Court the officer was trying to protect his colleagues as they put their riot gear on, when Drummond called them "shithouses" and punched the officer in the face.

Body-worn video footage captured the incident, which left the officer with cuts and bruises, while Drummond was struck with a baton.

The prosecutor said he was part of the group that began throwing bricks, having broken down a garden wall, although the court heard he denied throwing bricks himself.

Drummond was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on 29 August.

As he left the dock, he spoke to two female family members, who were in tears throughout the hearing.

Adam Wharton and Ellis Wharton - Liverpool

Two brothers appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court accused of crimes relating to a library which was set on fire during the riots.

28-year-old Adam Wharton appeared first, admitting burglary with intent to steal from the Spellow Lane Library Hub, which suffered severe damage to the ground floor due to the fire.

The library was opened last year to provide support for one of the most deprived communities in the country.

Wharton, who has 16 previous convictions for 26 offences, including robbery and burglary, stood in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates' Court wearing a grey, prison-issue tracksuit.

As he left the dock, Wharton said: "Nice one, shitty arse judge man."

His younger brother Ellis Wharton, 22, admitted trying to steal a computer screen from the library - but denied assaulting a police officer.

Merseyside Police said about 300 people were involved in violent disorder on County Road, Walton, on Saturday night, which included community facilities being set on fire.

District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded both in custody ahead of their next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on 29 August.

Declan Geiran - Liverpool

A 29-year-old man has admitted arson after trying to set a police van on fire during the riots in Liverpool city centre.

The vehicle had been parked on William Brown Street on Saturday night after being abandoned by officers and the flames were extinguished before significant damage or harm could be caused, police previously said.

Declan Geiran, from Liverpool, who was arrested with three lighters, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

The court heard CCTV footage showed him with other people in a group before using an implement to set the van on fire.

Geiran has 13 previous convictions for 18 offences, including breach of a community order and a malicious communications offence.

District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing on 30 August at Liverpool Crown Court.

Leanne Hodgson - Sunderland

A 43-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen on footage pushing a large bin towards a police line during unrest in Sunderland.

Leanne Hodgson denied being involved in the original march but said she had been out drinking and became involved in the disorder when the pub closed, South Tyneside Magistrates Court heard.

John Garside, prosecuting, said "there was a large crowd cheering and joining in" as Hodgson pushed the bin at officers.

The defendant, who the court was told has a "long-running alcohol problem," was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 2 September.

Liam Riley - Liverpool

A rioter called police officers "traitors" and "Muslim lovers" when he was arrested over the widespread disorder in Liverpool on Saturday, a court has heard.

Liam Riley, 41, from Kirkdale, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and a racially aggravated public order offence at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

The court heard he was part of a crowd of around 100 people who were throwing rocks and bricks, and had smashed a shop window.

Riley stood his ground, shouting and waving his arms, as the rest of the group ran from police, said prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk.

As he was detained, Riley called officers "traitors" and "Muslim lovers", and appeared to have drunk a lot of alcohol, he said.

The court heard he was found with a poster that said "this is our city" and told police "having heard about the march through word of mouth attended in solidarity wearing a St George's flag".

Riley, the last of 11 people to appear in court over rioting in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton today, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on 30 August.

-SKY NEWS