Jordan And Joshua O'Leary, Twin Brothers, Locked Up Over Riots

Twin Brothers Locked Up Over Liverpool Riots
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Two brothers have each been ordered to serve two years in youth custody for taking part in violent scenes which erupted in a city during the summer disturbances.

Twins Jordan and Joshua O'Leary, 18, were part of large mobs who confronted police in south Liverpool on August 8 and into the early hours of the next day, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

That night Merseyside Police were faced with hordes of young men who rampaged through the Toxteth and Wavertree suburbs throwing missiles and damaging property.

Jordan O'Leary was seen throwing a missile, probably a large rock or stone, at police lines outside his home on Smithdown Road, Wavertree, the court heard.

Separately, his brother, of no fixed address, was heard to shout towards officers: "Come on, then. Get in your vans. Come on, come and get it."

Both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing and appeared in court for sentencing on Monday.

Martin Decker, for the prosecution, said: "That night saw large groups of people attacking property, police and other people, using missiles and other items. (Jordan) was seen by police to throw a missile towards the police line and run away."

Judge David Aubrey QC was also shown CCTV and Sky News footage of Joshua climbing on to top of a burnt-out car.

Judge Aubrey told Jordan his behaviour was "undoubtedly stupid, irresponsible and dangerous" and ordered him to serve two years in a young offenders institution (YOI).

Joshua was also detained for two years at a YOI. "If anything was designed to encourage others to behave in a threatening and lawless fashion, that was it," the judge told him.