Crowd goaded Knowsley hotel residents in disorder, jury told

Police in riot gear were deployed to scenes outside the hotel

Crowds shouted "get them out" outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, a trial of eight people accused of violent disorder has heard.

Violence broke out outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, which was providing temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, on 10 February last year.

A large group had gathered and rocks and fireworks were thrown at police, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

All eight defendants admit being at the protest but deny violent disorder.

Det Con David Williams told the jury members of a right-wing and a left-wing group attended outside the hotel, which was providing temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, and at about 19:00 GMT a large group of people arrived at the scene on foot.

He said: "At that time it seemed that tensions changed somewhat."

Three police officers were injured as items including rocks, fireworks and paving slabs were thrown, with one needing hospital treatment, the court heard.

A police carrier was "totally destroyed" in a fire and a number of other vehicles were smashed, causing £83,000 worth of damage, Det Con Williams said.

He told the court there was "ill feeling" in the local area after a video appearing to show an asylum seeker from the hotel asking a 15-year-old girl for her phone number and for a kiss was shared on social media.

Det Con Williams added: "It was investigated and unfortunately a decision was made via the Crown Prosecution Service that no crime had been committed at that point."

Martyn Walsh, prosecuting, said defendant Brian McPadden, 61, of Kirkby, Merseyside, could be seen on body-worn camera footage pointing towards the hotel and could be heard saying: "We protect our own, youse are not from Kirkby, we are."

Footage filmed through an officer's riot shield showed Mr McPadden, wearing black shorts and a black coat, standing in front of the burning police van.

Mr Walsh said he could be heard saying: "They better not leave that place in the next few days because they'll be dead. Every Friday we'll be here."

A police van was set on fire after the protest turned violent

The court heard Thomas Mills, 47, of Kirkby, was seen standing on top of a police van holding a banner which said: "Let's shout, get them out."

Mr Walsh said: "The case against Mr Mills is he played an important role in the violence and is encouraging others to behave violently."

Paul Lafferty, 42, of Kirkby, was seen pointing towards police and shouting they were "bullies", the court heard.

Mr Walsh said 21-year-old Jonjo O'Donoghue, of Liverpool city centre, was seen on footage lighting fireworks and firing them at police officers.

'Kids are proud'

Daniel Fulham, 39, of Kirkby, made his way through a police cordon with his Jack Russell dog, the court heard.

Mr Walsh said: "Mr Fulham picks up his dog, waves it and thrusts it towards police officers while shouting 'get them out'."

The jury was told Cheryl Nicholls, 44, of Kirkby, was seen shouting and gesturing to police while filming on her phone.

Mr Walsh said she was heard calling men housed in the hotel paedophiles and said to police: "I hope your kids are all proud of you."

The scene where a police vehicle was set alight

Nicola Elliott, 52, of St Helens, was shown on footage shouting "get them out" and "are you happy that they're raping our children", the court heard.

Jennifer Knox, 41, of Kirkby, was part of a group seen confronting police, Mr Walsh said.

He added: "The Crown say her conduct added to the threat of violence faced by police."

The hearing was adjourned within half-an-hour of resuming following the lunch break after Mr Mills suffered a seizure in the dock.

The jury was sent home for the day as medical help was given.

The case will continue on Wednesday.