Southport and Liverpool's Unrest: Three Sentenced after Pleading Guilty

Three people were sentenced yesterday, Tuesday 26 November, for their role in violent disorder in Merseyside.

The three offenders appeared in court after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that on Saturday 3 August, 25-year-old Keelan Woodhead travelled from Telford to attend the disorder in Liverpool city centre and on County Road, Walton where he received an injury to his hand which required medical treatment. He disclosed to hospital staff that he had thrown bricks at police which resulted in his hand injury. Woodhead was also identified as throwing an item at a police vehicle and he was arrested the next day, Sunday 4 August.

Woodhead, of Tilia Green in Telford, pleaded guilty and was jailed for one year and five months in prison.

Christopher Dean of Byfleet Close in Wigan pleaded guilty for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July.

Dean was one of the first to throw items towards the officers, including a wheelie bin directly at them. The court heard that he also participated in racial chanting.

The 35-year-old was jailed for two years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

A 14-year-old girl from Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty for her role in violent disorder and theft on County Road, Walton on Saturday 3 August.

Liverpool Youth Court heard that she threw missiles towards officers and was part of a group who attacked a police vehicle and a lone officer. The group then went into a Go Local store on Delamore Street and she stole a pack of soft drinks. In addition, while a cash register was thrown on the floor by group member, she then stole money from the till before fleeing.

Yesterday the teenage offender received a 12-month referral order and fined £200 compensation.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This latest sentencing yesterday showed that the three offenders played an active part in the shocking scenes of violent disorder we all witnessed in Southport and Liverpool.

“We continue to remain steadfast in our investigation to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside by reviewing more than 12,000 pieces of footage, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

An investigation into the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool is ongoing. The total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 151, with 110 charged and 84 sentenced to a combined 176 years.

We would encourage anyone with information to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.