Riot accused punched court docket glass and yelled ‘fat c***’ earlier than placing finger up
A man put his middle finger up at a judge and called her a “fat c**t” after being accused of playing a part in the UK riots.
Matthew Wilson, 31, of Parrock Street, Rossendale, repeatedly punched the glass of the dock and shouted obscenities at Manchester Magistrates’ Court after being denied bail for alleged racially aggravated assault and public order offences.
Prosecutor Laura Peers alleged Wilson and co-accused, Alex Fraser, 20, made racist comments and “randomly” attacked an Asian man in Manchester city centre on Monday, and had boasted of their involvement in wider disorder.
After being denied bail, Wilson, who pleaded not guilty to the charges today (August 7), said: “I’ve had nothing to do with the riots.”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Fraser, of Leicester Road, Salford, also pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated assault and denied taking part in any wider disorder.
Fraser and Wilson were both remanded into custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.
After being denied bail, Fraser, who was visibly upset as he left court, said: “I wasn’t even planning on being in town.”
Meanwhile, district judge Jane Hamilton ordered Wilson to be returned to the court after lunch for a contempt of court hearing after his outburst.
He was then spared a further week in custody after agreeing to apologise to the court.
Asked by district Judge Jane Hamilton if he wanted to apologise or spend seven days in custody, Wilson took a long delay. Asked again, he responded: “Yeah, go on then,” which Judge Hamilton said would not suffice.
He then said: “I’m sorry for punching the glass, I just wish you would have seen the CCTV footage shown to me in the police station.
“I’ve done nothing… 35 days, I’ve got a home I need to maintain.”
He added that he had been “involved in no riots.”
Defending, duty solicitor David Philpott said there had been some bereavement issues and health issues.
Wilson was sent back to the cells, avoiding a contempt of court conviction.
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