Men jailed after 'widespread disorder' in Plymouth - as judge praises police response
Judge Linford today warned "The word is going to go out from this court that people who behave in this way are going to go to prison"
Last updated 13th Aug 2024
A man involved in rioting in Plymouth City Centre - who told police they should make 'better use of taxpayers money' than supporting illegal immigrants - today had the cost of his 170 lifetime offences relayed to a court, as he was jailed.
The court heard John Cann, 51, of Patna Place, Plymouth, had lit a firework with a cigarette - which the judge called 'dangerous' and warned could have resulted in a much more serious charge.
Whilst being jailed for three years, Robert Linford told Cann 'you have no right to say who should and should not be in this country', citing his previous convictions for things like robbery and arson.
The court was also shown footage of Ryan Bailey, 41, of no fixed address in Plymouth throwing a tin can and joining chanting anti-immigrant chanting as he was jailed for 30 months.
The judge reflect on what he called 'widespread public disorder in this city' on August 5th, which he reminded the defendants had resulted in the closure of shops, pubs, and the theatre - as well as transport disruption, adding that 'police acted with commendable restraint'.
Judge Linford added: "The word is going to go out from this court that people who behave in this way are going to go to prison, and going to go prison for a considerable time."
Bailey was told he was seen, on camera footage, 'chanting along moronically with the other members of this mob'.
He later reflected how in subsequent police interviews Cann was 'sprouting dangerous nonesense', which was not true. The judge called the actions of the day 'an excuse to go out and have a go at people with whose views you disagreed'.
In mitigation, the court was told Bailey afterwards felt 'emotional and disgusted with himself' and wrote a letter to police afterwards to apologise and 'will continue to regret his part in the incident, where he was injured accidentally.
Another defendant, Amer Waler, 24, a car-washer in the city with no previous convictions was jailed for 20 months for his role throwing four items during a counter demonstration, which Judge Linford told him was 'too serious for anything other than immediate custody'.
He was told 'you did not come into the city centre looking for trouble' and faced 'obnoxious racism', but warned he was 'capable' of 'rising above it' which he did not.
Following the violent disorder experienced on the streets of Plymouth on Sunday August 5, officers have now arrested a total of 18 people and charged 16 in connection with the event.
During the week, 15 men and one woman have been charged with a variety of public order offences. The figure includes four youths aged 14 to 17 years old.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “We continue to work to bring those involved in last Monday night’s violent disorder to justice. This has been a collaborated effort between police investigation teams and the Crown Prosecution Service, who have delivered a swift response.
“Our message is simple to anyone who plans to breed violent disorder; We will identify you, and you will face the full force of the law.
“The actions on Monday do not represent our wider community and we would like to thank the public for their ongoing and unwavering support of our officers.”
Gary Harkness, aged 51, of North Road West, Plymouth, was today given a 12-month jail sentence after the judge accepted while he did not directly hit, throw or spit at anyone during the disorder he was 'prolifically vocal' and 'encouraging others' and a 'party to the disorder'.