The individuals sentenced are:
- Jarrod Hollinshead, 26, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 36 months for affray.
- Andrew Townley, 45, of Hanley, was sentenced to 34 months for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.
- Ashley Morris, 31, of uk/news/uk/newcastle-under-lyme/" title="Newcastle-under-Lyme" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpil-monitor-id="62738">Newcastle-under-Lyme, was sentenced to 30 months for violent disorder.
- James Watkins, 35, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 36 months for violent disorder.
- Lee Grocott, 48, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 32 months for violent disorder.
Details of the Offences:
- Hollinshead was seen running towards police officers with a brick in his hand, which he threw while shouting abusive language. He was arrested immediately after the incident.
- Townley was caught on social media footage and bodycam video challenging an officer who was attempting to maintain order in Hanley. Townley grabbed the officer’s shield and further incited violence before being identified and charged.
- Morris was seen on CCTV launching bricks and other missiles at officers and members of the public. He repeatedly attempted to break through the police lines and incite further violence.
- Watkins challenged members of the public to fight, then turned his aggression towards the police, threatening officers with a glass bottle. He was arrested on 27 August after being identified from footage.
- Grocott was also captured on video throwing missiles and shouting aggressively at officers. He was arrested after being identified from evidence at the scene.
Police Response:
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison of Staffordshire Police said, “Those involved in the senseless acts we’ve seen in Stoke-on-Trent and tamworth/">Tamworth are being identified every day and brought before the courts. More and more offenders will be sent to prison as our detectives continue to work tirelessly to review all the evidence we have.”
Ellison also assured the community that further arrests are forthcoming, as the investigation into the disorder continues.
If you have any information that could assist the police, you are urged to visit the Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) to provide evidence or tips.
This incident is part of a broader crackdown on violence and disorder in the region, with several more individuals expected to be charged in the coming days.
