Ten teenagers sentenced for more than 34 years after machete brawl on Southend seafront
The group of boys and young men, aged between 15 and 18, have all been sentenced after a violent clash involving weapons on the evening of 30 July last year
Ten teenagers have now been sentenced for violent disorder after a mass fight involving machetes broke out on the seafront in Southend-on-Sea.
The incident happened on the evening of 30 July 2024, when police responded to reports of people with weapons near the seafront in the Essex coastal city. Officers found a group of youths fighting, with some brandishing large knives.
Between nine defendants, they were given custodial sentences of more than 34 years.
One defendant, under the age of 18, has been remitted back to youth court for the position of a referral order.
The case was heard at Basildon Crown Court. Nine of the boys and young men had already admitted offences earlier this month. The tenth defendant, 18-year-old Hamza Dinbil, pleaded guilty on Monday to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Two of the defendants, from opposing gangs, broke out into a fight within the dock, with family members jumping over the tables to pull them apart.
Seven others, who were attending the sentencing virtually, were caught sniggering.
Judge Samantha Cohen told the court the wide spread public assault was "pre-planned" by "at least two days", and its impacts, "profound".
She told the teens: “you did not simply plan a day out at the seaside”.
Adventure Island in Southend had to close early and experienced a drop in footfall by 16%, the court heard.
Other shops, fish and chip shops, saw a similar impact with takings about half of comparable periods in other years.
Judge Cohen added, police operation on the day of the incident cost over £600,000.
"It damaged the impact of a fine city”, she told the court.
Referring to one of the gangs, "I am satisfied, having watched CCTV, that you did know that the other group was arriving from London and that you were ready for the violence that you knew would come with them.
Defence told the court one gang member, Lucas Braga, has realised prison isn’t what it’s presented as on the streets, "something that glorifies a young man", and wants more from life instead.
District Commander Dave Browning said: “Responding to the criminal actions of a small number of people in Southend last summer, among thousands of people trying to enjoy the good weather, required a huge co-ordinated response from my uniformed officers.
“We told those intent on coming here to commit crime that they would be dealt with. I can repeat the same message today, with these 10 men and boys now waiting to hear their sentences.”
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, the senior investigating officer, said hundreds of hours of CCTV were reviewed during the investigation. She said: “It is no surprise to me, having seen our case, that these suspects saw no other option than to plead guilty.”
Sentenced
Hamza Dinbil, 18, of Corporation Street, Stratford – also admitted possession of a bladed article. Received a 22-month custodial sentence.
Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Clarendon Road, Watford – also admitted assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a bladed article. Sentenced to 3 years and 3 months.
Michael King, 18, of Crescent Road, South Woodford – also admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. Sentenced to 7 years and 6 months.
Mekai Brown, 18, of Higham Road, Woodford Green – also admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. Sentenced to eight years.
Lucas Braga, 18, of Pitchford Street, Stratford – also admitted possession of a bladed article (he was 17 at the time). Sentenced to two years.
Isaac Bello, 18, of Prospect Road, Woodford Green – also admitted possession of a bladed article (he was 17 at the time). Sentenced to two years.
A 16-year-old boy from London – also admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, possession of a prohibited firearm, and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. Sentenced to 6 years and 11 months.
A 17-year-old boy from London – also admitted possession of a bladed article. Has been remitted back to youth court for the position of referral order.
A 17-year-old boy from Basildon – also admitted possession of a bladed article. Sentenced to 20-months.
A 15-year-old boy from Pitsea – also admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. Received an 18-month custodial sentence.
Aftermath
After the violence, many people in Southend told Greatest Hits Radio they felt less safe in their own neighbourhoods. One woman said, “I don't feel as safe as I used to – the high street mainly. I wouldn't walk there on my own, even during the day because I don't feel safe.”
Tanya, another local woman, said she no longer visits the area near her home. “I used to come to the beach all the time with my friends… but this area near our house I don't come to anymore.” Her mother, Sian, had a different view: “I think it's absolutely fine, I'm comfortable. I know we have problems but no more than any other city.”
Another woman said many local people now avoid the seafront completely. “The only people that come down are the people that don't live around here. We don't come down here… I don't want to walk around in fear of getting stabbed.”
One Scout leader said concerns were overblown. “We're a local Scout group – do you think we'd have brought 30 kids down here if we thought it wasn't safe?”
But a local man said the violence had already had an effect. “I've seen a considerable drop in tourists since all the violence happened… I don't want to stay in the evenings anymore because that's when it really steps up a gear.”
Others believed the area’s problems have been exaggerated. “It's not as bad as it's made out to be… there’s always been a huge police presence on the seafront,” said one resident.