A total of seven men have been brought before Manchester Magistrates’ Court following riots in Greater Manchester.
Four men charged with violent disorder in Manchester and two men accused of racially aggravated abuse were brought before the court, as well as one man charged with racial hatred.
Andrew Phillips, Liam Ryan, David Green, and Shaun Holt were all charged with violent disorder after an alleged incident in Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday, August 3.
Matthew Wilson and Alex Fraser were charged with racially aggravated assault as a result of a separate incident.
Separately, Aaron Johnson, of Stockport, pleaded guilty to racial hatred after livestreaming outside an asylum seeker hotel.
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Liam Ryan pleads guilty to violent disorder after Piccadilly Gardens incident
Liam Ryan pleaded guilty to the violent disorder.
The court heard that Ryan – of Thirkleby Royd, Bradford, played an ‘active role in disorder’ in the city centre square.
Prosecuting, Laura Peers said Ryan, aged 28, has previous convictions and had been subject to a football banning order.
She added that he had travelled to Manchester to take part in the riot on Saturday.
Ms Peers said video footage showed him throwing punches towards a black man while shouting as part of a group.
Defending, duty solicitor David Philpott said Ryan had “made it plain in police interview that he’d like to apologise and make clear to the individual involved that he expresses remorse.”
Mr Philpott added that Ryan recognised that alcohol was an issue for him and that he would need to seek assistance in the future.
Refusing bail, district Judge Jane Hamilton said Ryan was “a person who involves themselves in disturbances – large scale disturbances” and had travelled across the West Yorkshire border to take part.
She added: “Bearing in mind that the disorder is ongoing, I feel you would commit further offences if granted bail, so I am remanding you in custody until you appear in the court next week.”
Ryan will appear at Manchester Crown Court on August 14.
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Shaun Holt enters no indication of plea
Shaun Holt, aged 42, entered no indication of plea in response to his alleged role in the incident. The crown accused Holt, of Oak Road, Stockport, of being part of a “large group of far right protesters seen by police taking part in an altercation with one black male”, the court heard.
District Judge Jane Hamilton declined jurisdiction and sent Holt’s case to be heard at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, September 11. He was refused bail.
Andrew Philips enters no indication of plea
Andrew Philips, aged 27, also entered no indication of plea. Prosecutors alleged that Phillips, of Ripon Crescent, Stretford, played an ‘active role’ as a black male lay on the floor being kicked.
He will appear at Manchester Crown Square on Wednesday, September 11.
David Green enters no indication of plea
David Green, of Hamilton Street, Stalybridge, provided no indication of plea for his alleged role in kicking a black male who was on the floor in Piccadilly Gardens.
District Judge Jane Hamilton said his charge was a ‘serious one’ and refused bail.
He will appear at Manchester Crown Square on Wednesday, September 11.
Rossendale man and Salford man plead not guilty to racially aggravated assault
A Rossendale man pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated assault and a public order offence in Manchester city centre on Monday, August 5.
As he was being led away from the court, Matthew Wilson, of Parrock Street, Crawshawbooth, twice punched the glass separating the dock from the main court area, and shouted ‘fat c***’, raising his middle finger in the air.
After a lunch break, Wilson, aged 31, apologised to the court – avoiding a contempt of court conviction.
District Judge Jane Hamilton refused bail.
Following Matthew Wilson was 20-year-old Alex Fraser.
Like Wilson, Fraser, of Leicester Road, Salford, was alleged to have been boasting about taking part in the weekend’s disorder before allegedly assaulting a man and shouting racial and homophobic abuse after drinking in the Moon Under Water pub in Manchester city centre on Monday.
Speaking from the dock, the 20-year-old, who turns 21 on Sunday, said that it his birthday later this week.
District Judge Jane Hamilton refused bail.
She added: “In this heightened situation we are currently in with the disorder still ongoing and scheduled to be ongoing throughout this week, [...] so I am going to remand you in custody.”
Fraser appeared to be crying as he was led away from the court.
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.
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