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England riots: Two jailed for using Facebook to incite disorder | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Two men from Cheshire have been jailed for four years each for using Facebook to incite disorder during riots in England last week. | Two men from Cheshire have been jailed for four years each for using Facebook to incite disorder during riots in England last week. |
Jordan Blackshaw, 21, of Vale Road, Marston and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, of Richmond Avenue, Warrington, were jailed at Chester Crown Court. | Jordan Blackshaw, 21, of Vale Road, Marston and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, of Richmond Avenue, Warrington, were jailed at Chester Crown Court. |
The Recorder of Chester, Judge Elgan Edwards praised the swift actions of Cheshire Police. | The Recorder of Chester, Judge Elgan Edwards praised the swift actions of Cheshire Police. |
He said he hoped the sentences would act as a deterrent to others. | He said he hoped the sentences would act as a deterrent to others. |
Both men pleaded guilty under sections 44 and 46 of the Serious Crime Act to intentionally encouraging another to assist the commission of an indictable offence. | Both men pleaded guilty under sections 44 and 46 of the Serious Crime Act to intentionally encouraging another to assist the commission of an indictable offence. |
The Crown Prosecution Service said Blackshaw had created a Facebook event called "Smash d[o]wn in Northwich Town", intended for the receipt of the "Mob Hill Massive Northwich Lootin'". | |
The page went on to specify a meeting time and place of 9 August, between 13:00 and 16:00 BST, "behind maccies" - thought to be the McDonald's restaurant in Northwich town centre. | |
'Serious disorder' | |
Blackshaw also added the first comment on his page, writing: "We'll need to get this kickin off all over." | |
Police were alerted to Sutcliffe-Keenan's page when members of the public raised concerns on 9 August. | |
The page invited people to "riot" on 10 August between 19:00 BST and 22:00 BST. | |
Martin McRobb, from the Merseyside and Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: "They both used Facebook to organise and orchestrate serious disorder at a time when such incidents were taking place in other parts of the country. | Martin McRobb, from the Merseyside and Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: "They both used Facebook to organise and orchestrate serious disorder at a time when such incidents were taking place in other parts of the country. |
"Both defendants, in Northwich and Warrington respectively, sought to gain widespread support in order to replicate similar criminality." | |
'Abused technology' | 'Abused technology' |
He added: "While the judge heard the two defendants were previously of good character, they admitted committing very serious offences that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years." | |
Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, Phil Thompson, said: "From the offset Cheshire Constabulary adopted a robust policing approach using the information coming into the organisation to move quickly and effectively against any person whose behaviour was likely to encourage criminality. | Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, Phil Thompson, said: "From the offset Cheshire Constabulary adopted a robust policing approach using the information coming into the organisation to move quickly and effectively against any person whose behaviour was likely to encourage criminality. |
"Officers took swift action against those people who have been using Facebook and other social media sites to incite disorder. | "Officers took swift action against those people who have been using Facebook and other social media sites to incite disorder. |
"The sentences passed down today recognise how technology can be abused to incite criminal activity and sends a strong message to potential troublemakers about the extent to which ordinary people value safety and order in their lives and their communities. | "The sentences passed down today recognise how technology can be abused to incite criminal activity and sends a strong message to potential troublemakers about the extent to which ordinary people value safety and order in their lives and their communities. |
"Anyone who seeks to undermine that will face the full force of the law." | "Anyone who seeks to undermine that will face the full force of the law." |
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