Trio admit their part in Blackpool disorder

A mob of nearly 1,000 people were involved in unrest in the resort

Three men have pleaded guilty to their part in violent disorder in Blackpool on Saturday.

A mob of nearly 1,000 people were involved in unrest in the seaside town, Lancashire Police said.

Roger Haywood, 41, admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker; Tyla Chalmers-Millington, 18, admitted a racially aggravated public order offence and Ben Smith, 32, admitted possessing a metal pole.

The three, who appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court, are due to be sentenced at the same court in September.

Bottles and chairs were thrown and officers are investigating reports of looting in Houndshill Shopping Centre.

• Violent disorder in towns and cities since last Tuesday

Haywood was bailed until sentencing on 4 September.

Chalmers-Millington was bailed and told he must not enter Blackpool promenade within 500 metres of the Metropole Hotel.

He will also be sentenced on 4 September, while Smith was remanded in custody until sentencing on 18 September.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam Mackenzie said the force had a dedicated team reviewing CCTV and expects there to be further arrests.

He said the unrest in the resort "had nothing to do with legitimate protest".

A wave of disorder has spread across a range of English towns and cities since the Southport attack last week in which three young girls were killed.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died.

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