A group of teenagers have admitted offences after violence broke out in the Essex seaside town of Southend-on-Sea last summer. In total nine have pleaded guilty, including six from London and four of the Londoners can be named due to their age.
The nine, all of whom are male and aged between 14 and 18, were charged after youths, some brandishing machetes, fought on the seafront on the evening of July 30. While several had previously admitted to some offences, nine of them had guilty pleas accepted at a hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday (April 16), according to Essex Police.
Those who admitted offences are Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Clarendon Road in Watford, who pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. Michael King, 18, of Crescent Road in South Woodford, Redbridge, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to commit GBH.
Mekai Brown, 18, of Higham Road in Woodford Green, Redbridge, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to commit GBH. Lucas Braga, 18, from Pitchford Street in Stratford, Newham, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 17 at the time of the offences.
Isaac Bello, 18, of Prospect Road in Woodford Green, Redbridge, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was 17 at the time of the offences. A 16-year-old boy from London - who cannot be named due to his age - admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit GBH, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.
A 17-year-old boy from London - who cannot be named due to his age - admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. A 16-year-old boy from Basildon - who cannot be named due to his age - admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.
A 15-year-old boy from Pitsea - who cannot be named due to his age - admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit GBH and possession of an offensive weapon. He was 14 at the time of the offences.
'Huge' response from police as thousands headed to seafront
Southend District Commander Dave Browning said: “Responding to the criminal actions of a small number of people in Southend last summer, among thousands of people trying to enjoy the good weather, required a huge co-ordinated response from my uniformed officers.
“We told those intent on coming here to commit crime that they would be dealt with. I can repeat the same message today, with these nine men and boys now waiting to hear their sentences.
“We’re confident, and the figures show, incidents of disorder and violence remain rare in Southend. But one incident is too many and we’re always alert to such reports. Where incidents arise, we will act and we will use powers available to us to protect the public.
“I am glad to welcome everyone to our city again this summer to visit the seafront, enjoy our famous pier and take a trip to the beach. But be in no doubt that if you come here to commit crime – our officers will be waiting, you will be arrested and you will face justice.”
Pat Sampson, chair of the Southend Independent Advisory Group, added: “Our local residents must be able to enjoy living and working in our city, so I am glad to see these defendants have pleaded guilty.
"Our group will continue working with police to make sure they keep the people of Southend at the centre of their work as they have here. It’s really important that everyone understands you’re welcome here to enjoy yourself but not to commit crime and cause trouble.”
Hundreds of hours of CCTV reviewed
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, the senior investigating officer in this case, added: “My team reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV, carried out
“It is no surprise to me, having seen our case, that these suspects saw no other option than to plead guilty. Their roles in the disorder that came to Southend was undeniable thanks to the work of dozens of officers over several months – their work doesn’t stop when suspects are charged.
“It’s an ongoing effort to ensure the case against each of them is as strong as possible, and that all of their movements and actions are accounted for. I hope their sentencing will now send a clear message to others thinking of bringing the same kind of disorder to our county and our city.”
All nine defendants will be sentenced at the same court during the week commencing July 14, the force added. A 10th person, Hamza Dinbil, has also been charged with violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place in connection with the same incident.
The 18-year-old, of Corporation Street in Stratford, has been remanded in custody until a hearing at Basildon Crown Court on April 28, police said.
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