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SENTENCING began in Liverpool Crown Court today for nine men involved in a violent protest outside a hotel housing asylum-seekers in Merseyside.
A protest that was advertised on far-right Telegram chats descended into violence outside the Suites Hotel in Kirby on February 10 last year.
Fireworks were launched, a police van was set alight, and several people were injured.
The week prior, fascist group Patriotic Alternative campaigned in the area calling Suites a “five-star hotel for migrants.”
Brian McPadden, 61, Paul Lafferty, 42, Thomas Mills, 47, and Jonjo O'Donoghue, 21 attended court after being found guilty of violent disorder in January.
They were joined by four others — Liam Jones, 25, Harry Boynton, 20, John Tippler, 59, and Warren Cullen, 21, who pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Christopher Shelley, 45, did not arrive for sentencing.
Judge Denis Watson KC warned the men last year that they could be at “significant risk” of immediate custody.
Court was adjourned as defendant Mr Mills had an epileptic fit.
Sentencing will continue on Monday.
