Eight Scottish men have appeared in court following a traveller gang war in which a group of masked men attacked a property in Cheshire. The men appeared at Chester Magistrates on Monday, where a variety of charges were read out.
Attack in Middlewich
The violent scenes are understood to be linked to warring traveller families, with the yard owned by the McGinleys. Shocking footage showed a tipper truck reversing at speed into vehicles parked in the driveway of the property in Middlewich on Saturday, September 12, before dozens of masked men wielding weapons jumped out of a convoy of cars.
Men were seen trashing cars and the windows of the home with baseball bats and pick-axes. The truck used in the rammy was then set on fire during the chaos. The mob was then witnessed being chased by a man who emerged from the home.
Arrests and charges
Eight Scots were subsequently arrested and charged in connection by Cheshire Constabulary, with a 26-year-old man still in police custody. Around 30 masked men descended on the property.
Seven are due to appear at a plea hearing at Chester Crown Court on October 12. Nathaniel Lowe, 34, from Motherwell, was charged with two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon. James Lowe, 29, from Morningside, Newmains, was charged with violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
Further court appearances
Nathaniel Lowe, 58, of the same address in Morningside, was charged with violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
John McPhee, 30, from Larkhall, was charged with violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon. Billy McPhee, 52, from Larkhall, was charged with violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon. A 19-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life, criminal damage and violent disorder.
A 26-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
