Crowds shouted ‘Get them out’ amid violence near asylum seeker hotel, court told

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Crowds shouted “Get them out” outside a hotel housing asylum seekers as rocks and fireworks were thrown at police, the trial of eight people accused of violent disorder has heard.

Violence broke out outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, on Friday February 10 last year after police were informed the English Defence League was planning to attend, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

Detective Constable David Williams told the jury that members of a right-wing and a left-wing group gathered outside the hotel, which was providing temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, and at about 7pm a large group of people arrived at the scene on foot.

He said: “At that time it seemed that tensions changed somewhat.”

Three police officers were injured as items including rocks, fireworks and paving slabs were thrown, with one needing hospital treatment, the court heard.

A police carrier was “totally destroyed” in a fire and a number of other vehicles were smashed, causing £83,000 of damage, Mr Williams said.

He told the court there was “ill feeling” in the local area after a video appearing to show an asylum seeker from the hotel asking a 15-year-old girl for her phone number and a kiss was shared on social media.

Mr Williams added: “It was investigated and unfortunately a decision was made via the Crown Prosecution Service that no crime had been committed at that point.”

Martyn Walsh, prosecuting, told the jury all eight defendants admitted being present on the night of the protest but denied violent disorder.

He said defendant Brian McPadden, 61, of Kirkby, Merseyside, could be seen on body-worn camera footage pointing towards the hotel and could be heard saying: “We protect our own, youse are not from Kirkby, we are. These are twats, the lot of them.”

Footage filmed through an officer’s riot shield showed McPadden, wearing black shorts and a black coat, standing in front of the burning police van.

Mr Walsh said he could be heard saying: “They better not leave that place in the next few days because they’ll be dead. Every Friday we’ll be here.”

The court heard Thomas Mills, 47, of Kirkby, was seen standing on top of a police van holding a banner which said: “Let’s shout, get them out.”

Mr Walsh said: “The case against Mr Mills is he played an important role in the violence and is encouraging others to behave violently.”

Paul Lafferty, 42, of Kirkby, was seen pointing towards police and shouting “you f****** bullies”, the court heard.

Mr Walsh said 21-year-old Jonjo O’Donoghue, of Liverpool city centre, was seen on footage lighting fireworks and firing them at police officers.

Daniel Fulham, 39, of Kirkby, made his way through a police cordon with his Jack Russell dog, the court heard.

Mr Walsh said: “Mr Fulham picks up his dog, waves it and thrusts it towards police officers while shouting ‘Get them out’.”

The jury was told Cheryl Nicholls, 44, of Kirkby, was seen shouting and gesturing to police while filming on her phone.

Mr Walsh said she was heard saying: “You’ve got 500 dirty bastard nonces in there, I hope your kids are all proud of you.”

Nicola Elliott, 52, of St Helens, was shown on footage shouting “Get them out” and “Are you happy that they’re raping our children?”, the court heard.

Jennifer Knox, 41, of Kirkby, was part of a group seen confronting police, Mr Walsh said.

He added: “The Crown say her conduct added to the threat of violence faced by police.”

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

The hearing was adjourned within half-an-hour of resuming following the lunch break on Tuesday after Mills suffered a seizure in the dock.

The jury was sent home for the day as medical help was given.

The case will continue on Wednesday.