A family who unleashed an ‘orgy of mindless disorder and destruction’ during riots sparked by the Southport killings have all been jailed.
Council worker Connor Hicks, who is 20 years old, along with his cousins Cameron, who is 29, and John Williams, aged 32, were involved in a violent group that went on a rampage in Sunderland in August last year.
During the chaos, Hicks recorded the violent incidents on his phone, while the Williams brothers were observed throwing pint glasses at the police in an attempt to disrupt their efforts to restore order, as revealed in court.
The outburst of violence was incited by the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport, who were brutally stabbed to death by the malevolent teenage murderer, Axel Rudakubana.
Hicks and his cousins admitted violent disorder and were each sentenced to two years and one month detention, with the brothers serving that in prison and Hicks going to a young offender institution.
Sentencing them, Judge Carolyn Scott said the trio ‘brought shame on the city of Sunderland’ and that they joined an ‘orgy of mindless disorder and destruction’.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the disorder exploded onto the streets of Sunderland on August 2 as part of a nationwide series of riots.
Hordes of violent yobs were accused of hijacking the grief of those impacted by the Southport tragedy to cause mayhem in towns and cities up and down the country.
The court heard Hicks and his cousins all attended the racist protest together in Sunderland, which soon descended into violence.
A family who unleashed an ‘orgy of mindless disorder and destruction’ during far-right riots have all been jailed. Pictured are riot police in Sunderland during the mayhem in August 2024
Brothers John Williams (left) and Cameron Williams (right) took part in the ‘orgy of destruction’ that gripped the streets of Sunderland in August last year, a court heard
They were joined by their cousin, Connor Hicks, who filmed the mayhem as his relatives hurled pint glasses at lines of police officers
A car was overturned and set alight and riot police were attacked during the widely condemned chaos.
During the course of the evening, police officers were met with ‘serious and sustained levels of violence’ and were attacked with missiles, including bricks, concrete slabs and scaffolding poles.
Four officers required hospital treatment for their injuries and police horses and dogs were hit with masonry. The wider Northumbria Police investigation continues.
Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said all three defendants went along to the riot together, and soon became involved as the mayhem escalated.
He said: ‘Connor Hicks was seen confronting the police line and gesturing and shouting in an aggressive manner.’
Hicks filmed John Williams as he lobbed a pint glass at the police line. Hicks then ‘encouraged others to attack the police’, the court heard.
Hicks – who works for Sunderland City Council as a paver – also filmed himself during the riot and was later identified from CCTV.
Mr Ahmad said John Williams – a father-of-two – was caught throwing his pint glass at police on CCTV before Hicks handed him another, which he then threw again.
The carnage in Sunderland saw a car flipped over and torched by thugs
Other rioters were seen spraying riot police with fire extinguishers as the violence spread
Pictured is the moment riot police arrest someone taking part in the Sunderland riots
The court heard Williams was also seen ‘punching and kicking’ the windows of The Yard building in Keel Square. When arrested, he admitted taking part in the disorder and said he was ‘an idiot for going along’.
His brother Cameron, a married father-of-two, was also caught throwing a pint glass at police. When arrested he told cops he thought the protest would be peaceful.
All three defendants had no previous convictions. They sat with their heads bowed throughout the hearing.
Nick Lane, defending Hicks, said he had shown ‘genuine remorse’ and that his ‘shame is deep and genuine’.
‘He recognises it as loutish behaviour for which there is no excuse,’ he said. ‘At no point can he be seen to disguise his appearance or brandish any flags or banners.
‘There is a lack of maturity and he is employed by the local authority as a paver. He realises his difficulties in relation to alcohol and is addressing his alcohol use.’
Helen Towers, defending the Williams brothers, said Cameron’s involvement was ‘low-level’ and that he ‘accepts full responsibility and is deeply ashamed’.
Riot police are seen forming up in Sunderland as riots raged across the city in August 2024
She added he is likely to lose his employment if sent to prison and is ‘disgusted and appalled’ at his behaviour.
Speaking of John Williams, Ms Towers said he has shown remorse and was ‘visibly upset and embarrassed’ in his interview.
She said he was ‘influenced by the wider crowd’ and described it as the worst decision he has ever made. Ms Towers added that he lives with his grandparents, who he helps care for.
Judge Carolyn Scott said the actions of three men were ‘disgraceful’ and ‘deplorable’.
She said those who joined the ‘mass disorder’ should expect ‘severe’ sentences, adding ‘each individual act enflames and encourages others to behave in a similar fashion’.
Sentencing the trio, Judge Scott said they would serve 40 per cent of their sentence before being released on licence.
