Riot thief curses at judge in court following assault in cells
Hundreds of people have been arrested amid riots across the country. Today, dozens are appearing in court, accompanied by additional prosecutors, as the judiciary strives to meet Sir Keir Starmer’s demand for swift justice.
Home affairs reporter Henry Vaughan is at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, where some of these cases are being heard. Here is his latest report:
A man has pleaded guilty to burglary after a library was set on fire and looted during riots in Liverpool.
Merseyside Police reported that around 300 people were involved in violent disorder on County Road, Walton, on Saturday night, resulting in community facilities being set ablaze.
The Spellow Lane Library Hub, opened last year to support one of the most deprived communities in the country, sustained severe damage to its ground floor.
Today at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, Adam Wharton, 28, from Walton, admitted to burglary with intent to steal from the library.
Wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit, Wharton stood in the dock and provided his name, date of birth, and address before entering a guilty plea.
The court heard that the rioters were involved in arson and throwing bricks and other projectiles. A police helicopter observed a man entering the already burnt-out and looted library.
Ellis Wharton, 22, who is scheduled to appear in court later, was allegedly found inside with a computer monitor, while his brother Adam Wharton acted as a lookout, the court was told.
“He was wearing a balaclava and profusely sweating,” said prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk.
The court heard that Wharton has 16 previous convictions for 26 offenses, including robbery and burglary.
Before entering the courtroom, he was attacked in the cells, resulting in a bleeding nose and an eye injury, the court was told.
District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded him in custody until 29 August, when he will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, stating that the case was too serious to be handled in the magistrates’ court.
As he left the dock, Wharton remarked, “Nice one, shitty arse judge man.”
