'This was violent thuggery, it will not be tolerated'

TOLD THEY WILL FACE ‘THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW’

- CARL EVE

THREE men are set to be sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court today after they admitted causing violent disorder in Plymouth on Monday evening – a charge which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Daniel McGuire, 45, of Crescent Avenue, Plymouth; Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, of Warran Lane, Tavistock; and Michael Williams, 51, of Blacklands Close, Sparkwell, all appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning, where they each pleaded guilty to the single charge of violent disorder.

Prosecutor Gareth Warden summarised the nature of the offences for all three men, beginning with McGuire who appeared in the dock still wearing the distinctive pink T-shirt he wore on Monday which marked him out on a number of television news reports.

Sporting a sling on his right arm and holding a crutch in his left, McGuire confirmed his name, date of birth and home address and pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder.

Mr Warden explained that McGuire was “clearly intoxicated” and had pushed up against police shields. He added that the 45-year-old had been spitting at officers, which had hit their shields but when told to stop he continued and was pushed back. District Judge Joanna Matson said she recalled seeing the incident involving McGuire on the news on Monday evening.