Rioters who admitted taking part in London unrest are sentenced

Rioters who caused chaos on the streets of London and were involved in widespread disorder have been sentenced to a combined five years’ imprisonment.

David Spring, 61, of Sutton, David Probert, 50, of Mill End, Hertfordshire, and David Notley, 67, of Redbridge, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and were sentenced to 18 months’, 14 months’ and 20 months’ imprisonment respectively at Inner London Crown Court.

Spring, Probert, Notley were part of a 700-strong group who wreaked havoc in Whitehall on July 31. Members of the group ignored a police cordon and moved on to assault and spit at officers who were in attendance. 

Many in attendance were aggressive, with some fighting officers outside the Department for Health while others threw flares at Downing Street and attempted to destroy property in the area.

Further, Notley pleaded guilty to a religiously aggravated public order offence for Islamophobic chanting. He was fined £100, with a sentence uplift from £50 having committed a hate crime.

Charles Smith, 22, was involved in the Whitehall disorder and joined in with racist chanting. He pleaded guilty to affray and racially aggravated harassment and was sentenced to 23 weeks’ imprisonment, with an £800 fine.

Jake Grainger-Quinn, 29, and Kelly Wildego, 41, were also part of the crowd rushing at and pushing against a police cordon on Whitehall. They both pleaded guilty to a public order offence at Inner London Crown Court.

Grainger-Quinn was sentenced to seven weeks’ imprisonment, and Wildego was sentenced to 4 months’ imprisonment, suspended for six months, having assaulted a police officer as well.

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, said: 

“These defendants each played their part in the shocking scenes of violence and disorder that spilled out onto the streets of our capital city last month.

“Whether it was smashing up property, goading others into fighting police officers or arming themselves with dangerous weapons, these people were active participants who knew their actions threatened to pour fuel on the fire. 

“Following a rapid Metropolitan Police investigation and close collaborative work with the Crown Prosecution Service, they were left with no choice but plead guilty and face the consequences of their actions.

“We stand ready to charge anyone who chose to involve themselves in disorder and will continue to prosecute all cases without fear or favour.”