15-year-old admits violent disorder after Bristol Southport unrest

The teenager will be sentenced for his actions in September

Author: James DiamondPublished 20th Aug 2024

A teenage boy has pleaded guilty to violent disorder following disturbances in Bristol in the wake of the Southport killings.

The 15-year-old appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court accused of being involved in the violence in the city on August 3. The boy spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his plea during the short hearing.

District Judge Lynne Matthews said he would be sentenced on September 25 following the preparation of reports.

"I would ask for a pre-sentence report. I would not use the words stupid and silly. I would use words criminal, disorder, violence and you will be sentenced accordingly. You will come back for sentence on September 25 and I am going to give you bail.

"You must not be in a public place in a group of three or more people unless it is your family. You are not going out with mates - even mates that were not on that footage - because I can't trust you.

"As term is about to start this does not include the journey to and from school or college."

She added: "The pre-sentence report must cover the prospect for detention."

Separately at Bristol Crown Court, two men were jailed for a combined total of four years and two months today (20th August) for their roles in the disorder.

Craig Timbrell from Hartcliffe and Bradley McCarthy from Knowle both earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder and are now the seventh and eighth people to be jailed for taking part in the disorder, with prison sentences totalling almost 18 years having now been handed out.

Timbrell was part of a large group of people that had gathered at Redcliffe Way Roundabout. The court was shown footage of him throwing concrete bricks and a glass bottle towards police officers.

McCarthy was at the front of a group or protesters in Castle Park where he threatened counter protesters and was racially abusive.

Despite being told to leave, he continued his behaviour, shouting at police officers and in the face of police dogs.

He was jailed for 20 months after His Honour Judge Lambert said he had been part of a “violent mob” in Castle Park which was “violent, threatening and used racially aggravated language targeting asylum seeker and refugees”.

Timbrell's behaviour was labelled “aggressive” and “disgusting” as he was handed a 30-month prison sentence.

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