Patrick Besiris, Final Offender Charged Over 2011 Riots, Jailed

Final Offender Charged Over 2011 Riots Jailed For 14 Months

The final offender charged over riots in Bristol last year has been jailed for 14 months, police said on Wednesday.

Patrick Besiris was involved in the violent disorder in the Stokes Croft area of the city.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to throwing rocks at police officers during the disturbances, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Besiris appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday as the final offender to be sentenced following riots last April and the disorder in the city centre in August.

Police photos of (top row) Lance Francis (left), Shaundre Robinson with (bottom row) Gregory Coleman and Callum Powell

Trouble flared in April amid anger over a new Tesco Store on Cheltenham Road in Stokes Croft.

Four months later the same area saw more than 150 rioters rampage through the city's streets.

Rioters targeted the same Tesco Metro store as in April, a bus stop and kicked in several doors.

In the St Paul's area, cars and bins were set alight and in the main shopping area of Cabot Circus, designer jewellery store Thomas Sabo had its windows smashed.

In total 137 people were arrested in connection with these incidents, of which 72 have been charged, cautioned or given sentences that totalled more than 46 years, a police spokeswoman said.

During the investigation Avon and Somerset Police officers examined hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and appealed to the public for their help to identify suspects.

Detective Chief Inspector Will White, who led the investigations, said: "I would like to thank all the members of the public who supported us throughout this investigation - helping us to painstakingly identify hundreds of CCTV images which have helped us bring these offenders to justice.

"I would also like to thank the residents and businesses in Stokes Croft for their support during the disorders and the weeks and months that followed as we pieced together valuable evidence.

"We will not tolerate disorder of any kind that jeopardises public safety and the safety of police officers carrying out their work.

"Anyone that engages in this type of behaviour should expect to be placed before the courts and dealt with in a robust manner.

"The sentences handed out by the courts and the swift justice that has been administered should demonstrate our commitment to keeping Bristol a safe place to live and work."

Pc Alex Cooney was one of the officers inside Canning Circus police station when the group attacked.

As he opened the front door to put out the flames, bricks and stones were thrown, as well as another petrol bomb.

Despite this, he was able to successfully put out the fire.

The defendants were all arrested in and around the area, after officers blocked exit routes and gave chase where necessary.

One officer even went to the aid of Callum Powell, after he fell through the roof of a building while attempting to escape.

Following Wednesday's verdicts, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Griffin, from Nottinghamshire Police, who led the investigation, said: "This group joined together with the common purpose of attacking Canning Circus police station. It is likely they had heard about disturbances across the country in the days leading up to August 9, including an attack on St Ann's police station the previous night.

"The group planned to meet up armed with weapons, sticks, and bottles filled with petrol with every intention of setting the police station alight, regardless of who was inside and the potential danger it put them in.

"The whole attack was filmed by a witness on a mobile phone and several members of the public called the control room, both fearful for their own safety and to report sightings of the group in possession of lit bottles.

"The offenders' complete lack of regard for authority is evident as they walked calmly away from the scene, in some cases approaching people's cars and causing further damage.

"The quick police response on the ground following the attack on Canning Circus and the willingness from members of the public to give evidence in court played a significant part in seeing those who were intent on being part of a riot jailed."

Commenting after today's verdicts, Judith Walker, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "Prosecuting this case was complex and challenging, and it is a tremendous credit to the Crown Prosecution Service legal team and the police investigating officers that these offenders have been convicted.

"This case presented particular challenges. There was clear video footage and evidence from eyewitnesses of violent and frightening behaviour and of firebombs being thrown.

"However, when the defendants were arrested, the evidence against them, for the most part, was their presence at the scene.

"When interviewed most made no comment or claimed they were simply passing through and not a party to any disorder.

"Our task was to piece together the evidence that would prove to a jury that each individual charged had been involved in the criminality which took place that night.

"The process of proving involvement required meticulous attention from the prosecuting lawyers and the police. Forensic evidence helped link suspects to the disorder and BlackBerry messages and social media helped establish that this was a planned, pre-meditated attack.

"As the picture unfolded, prosecutors were able to show that the evidence against each defendant was compelling, and indeed 10 pleaded guilty at the outset of the trial.

"This and today's convictions are the result of outstanding teamwork between prosecutors, police and prosecuting counsel to bring all this evidence together.

"These convictions send a clear message to the community of Nottingham that this kind of criminality will not be tolerated.

"No matter how difficult a case may seem, the police and the CPS are determined to work together to bring these offenders to justice."

Ten other defendants had already pleaded guilty to their part in the disturbances at earlier hearings.

Curtis Dejean, 19, of Welstead Avenue, Aspley, pleaded guilty to riot, arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered, and possession of explosives, while Reiss Wilson, 21, of Beckhampton Road, Bestwood, admitted riot, perverting the course of justice and arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

Antany Edwards, 23, of Noel Street, Hyson Green; Ashton Alexander, 19, of Radford Road, New Basford; Harrison McCalla, 21, of Carlswark Gardens, Top Valley; and Lucas Stapleton, 18, of Dulwich Road, Radford, all pleaded guilty to riot.

Four others - Ricardo Cotteral, 23, of Basford Road, Basford; Bobby Muers, 18, of Caunton Avenue, St Ann's; and two 16-year-old youths, also from St Ann's, admitted violent disorder.

The 10 will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday alongside the six that were convicted on Wednesday.

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