North-East EDL supporters jailed for violent attack at Tyneside Irish Centre
Far-right thugs who mistakenly attacked the Tyneside Irish Centre, thinking that political rivals were there have been jailed.
On 22nd September 2010, up to 20 EDL supporters invaded the Tyneside Irish Centre, attacking a doorman and setting off a fire extinguisher inside.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Rodger Thorn said that, “this was a group attack on the democratic rights of others to have free association and exercise their freedom of speech.
“This behaviour cannot be tolerated, no matter how much you might dislike the views of the socialist party.
“These sentences must ensure a tit-for-tat revenge can be no option. Violence and threats of violence will not be tolerated by the EDL, SWP or indeed any other factions or groups of any kind.”
The proposed meeting held by the SWP had been cancelled and one member of the EDL Peter Duffy was even allowed in to the club to see that there were no SWP members there. That didn’t stop the EDL violence.
The violent nature of the attack was described by Johnathan Devlin for the Prosecution, who noted that; “one witness said around 20 people were outside Rosie’s Bar and they were staring across towards the Irish Centre.
“He said they ran towards the centre and when they came out he said there was a real sense of tension on the street and one man was rubbing his knuckles as if he had just punched someone.”
Mr Devlin said: “On September 22 last year several persons thought to be aligned with the EDL met at Rosie’s bar situated on the opposite side of the road.
“They forced themselves into the club foyer, a melee ensued and door staff were attacked.”
Peter Duffy, 44, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham, Colin Bell, 36, of St Oswalds Road, Hebburn, Anthony Burn, 48, of Lecondale Court, Leam Lane, Gateshead, Michael Garriock, 23, of Gibson Street, Wallsend, Barry Keddy, 34, of Deneholm, Wallsend, Alan Spence, 46, of Gerald Street, Benwell, Steven Spence, 27, of Wickham View, Denton Burn, Newcastle, and Paul Starr, 45, of Telford Street, East Howdon, North Tyneside, all admitted affray.
Duffy was jailed for 10 months, while Keddy got eight months, Garriock eight months, Steven Spence eight months, Alan Spence seven months and Burton seven months. Burn and Bell received a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with four week curfews. Starr was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with a similar curfew. Mills’ case was adjourned until later this month.
Yet again we have seen what the EDL has to offer the people of North-east England. Nothing - except mindless violence.
See : Hope Not Hate