A group of teenagers from London have been given prison sentences for causing violent chaos on the streets of a seaside town last summer.
Ten boys between the ages of 15 and 19 descended upon the Southend seafront on July 30 last year, brandishing machetes, fighting and terrifying visitors.
The group started arriving in the town, mostly by train, in the early afternoon before pockets of violence and disorder kicked off from about 7 pm.
Essex Police said the men and boys had been spotted on CCTV gathering in side streets in the city centre and away from the public.
They then came together and left at least two people with serious injuries, which required hospital treatment, the force said.
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Officers quickly arrested many of the men, and more arrests were made over the following months as dozens of officers gathered evidence.
10 people pleaded guilty to violent disorder and weapons offences at earlier hearings at Basildon Crown Court in a two-day hearing which finished on Tuesday.
Nicola Tiney, who runs the Borough Hotel on the seafront, said at the time she saw large groups running ‘like a herd of bulls’ and stopping traffic.
She added: ‘Lots of them had their hoods up and were wearing masks and hats, just coming to the seafront resort to cause trouble.
‘They congregated at the other end of the seafront, and they started kicking off amongst themselves and running around…there were machetes out in the middle of the road.
‘I had to get all of my customers in from the front; it was just disgusting. I didn’t see anyone get hurt, but you could see the machetes flying about at each other, and then lots of them ran off down the beach with families around. I think one of them threw their machete into the sea.
‘Towards the town centre, they were fighting with knives and machetes as well, and it’s just them amongst themselves, it’s nothing to do with Southend.’
All of the jailed teenagers and their charges
Tyler Omo-Irogho, 19, of Clarendon Road in Watford, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.
Michael King, 18, of Crescent Road in South Woodford, east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison.
Mekai Brown, 19, of Higham Road in Woodford Green, east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm – he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Lucas Braga, 18, from Stratford, east London, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Isaac Bello, 18, of Prospect Road in Woodford Green, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article – he was sentenced to two years in prison.
Hamza Dinbil, 18, of Corporation Street in Stratford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place, and was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison.
An unnamed 17-year-old boy from London admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. He was sentenced to six years and 11 months in custody.
Another 17-year-old boy from London admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to a referral order to be decided on in a youth court on a date to be determined.
A 17-year-old boy from Basildon, Essex, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to a 20-month detention and training order.
A 15-year-old boy from Pitsea, Essex, admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to a detention and training order of 18 months.
Chief Superintendent Chris Bradford said: ‘Last summer, a small group among thousands of law-abiding visitors thought they would bring disorder to Southend. They have now faced the consequences of their reckless and dangerous actions.’
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: ‘While there are others outstanding for their role in last year’s disorder, we will be looking for them. That’s why we’re issuing this appeal to identify two more suspects who we want to speak to in connection with the violent disorder on Southend seafront.’
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