Robert Scott, 47, pleaded guilty to stealing a Deliveroo driver's bag during an anti-migrant protest in Liverpool city centre. He incriminated himself by posting a picture of the stolen bag on his Facebook page the following day.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Scott, of Stanley Road in Bootle, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday charged with theft of the bag; burglary of a dwelling with intent to cause criminal damage; and criminal damage. Appearing from HMP Liverpool via video link, Scott entered guilty pleas to theft and criminal damage.
The court heard the criminal damage related to the front door of the Richmond Hotel on Hatton Garden, which houses asylum seekers. The cost of the damage amounted to £240.
Scott denied the burglary count after asking the judge: "I thought I was just getting done for criminal damage?" Caleb Suggitt, prosecuting, told the court that the Crown Prosecution Service would not be seeking a trial on the charge and it was ordered to lie on the file.
Self-Incrimination on Social Media
Following Scott's guilty pleas, it was revealed that the day after the protest he posted a picture of the stolen Deliveroo bag on his Facebook page. The bag had been plastered with pictures of Henry Nowak, the murdered Southampton student whose death prompted a wave of protests after police officers handcuffed him while dying, and a sticker which said: "Save our kids - security in schools."
Scott's picture was accompanied by the status: "Save our kids. Justice for Henry." He also posted a picture of a man, believed to be himself, with an emoji covering his face and the Deliveroo bag slung over his shoulder, clutching a cardboard sign which said: "Liverpool stands with Belfast."
He also videoed the initial part of the protest on the steps outside St George's Hall, showing several dozen people and a number of flags, before turning the camera on himself. He had his face covered but was wearing the same Nike cap as the man in the picture holding the bag and sign.
Protest Background and Sentencing
Judge Ian Unsworth KC, presiding, adjourned the case to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He told the defendant, who wore a grey Berghaus t-shirt and sported a shaved head: "Please do not read anything into the fact I have ordered the report." The judge told Scott: "This is plainly a serious matter," before remanding him in custody to appear for sentence on August 13.
The ECHO previously reported that a crowd of 100 to 150 protesters gathered from around 7pm on June 9 before moving to other locations in the city centre. The protest was the day after a violent incident in Belfast which saw a suspect of Sudanese descent ultimately charged with attempted murder after a man was repeatedly stabbed.
During the evening, doors and windows were damaged at the Richmond Hotel and it was reported that a group of people had been chased down Dale Street while being verbally abused. The ECHO understands the protesters shouted "you're going back home" towards takeaway delivery riders.
Liverpool command unit commander Natalie Perischine previously said: "Our officers respect the right of individuals to peacefully gather and express their views in accordance with the law, however, we will never tolerate any type of racism, violence or criminality on our streets."
Scott's social media shows significant anti-migrant and "anti-establishment" sentiment with posts including statements such as "no more illegals", "raise the colours", "never trust a copper" and "save our kids". Scott's Facebook also showed he had said he was attending a protest outside Merseyside Police's St Anne Street station the previous week in memory of Mr Nowak.
The 18-year-old's case sparked outrage and protests after the release of police body-worn video which showed the student being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died. His murderer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years.
