By Joe Dalton, Crime Correspondent
A young mother, an aspiring musician and an engineering student at Manchester University were the latest to be sentenced today in the fallout from the recent city centre riots.
Jade Wallace, 22, of Hale Lane, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to burglary after she was caught by police on the night of August 9 stealing bottles of lager from a Tesco store on Princess Street.
Wallace, who has a three-year-old child, was arrested by police shortly after 1am when officers chased a group of people who had been looting the shop.
Wallace admitted to the burglary charge but only after police had identified her on CCTV footage.
Mr Kennedy, defending, said she had been “buzzing” around the city centre with friends during the disturbances and accepted she should never have been there.
She entered the Tesco store, which had already been broken into, and took the alcohol.
Wallace, who was previously convicted of theft in 2009 and 2011, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court.
The Recorder of Manchester, Judge Andrew Gilbart QC, told Wallace: “You found yourself in the city centre that night and took part in the criminality.
“Although you didn’t break into Tesco, your actions added considerably to the damage. There can be no doubt that anyone who took part in the burglary of stores that night must receive a custodial sentence.”
It is estimated that the Tesco store sustained losses running into five figures as a result of the break-in and looting.
Aspiring musician, Luke T Sudlow, 19, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods after he was apprehended by police carrying a Novation Launchpad worth £129 down his trousers.
Shortly before 11pm on August 9, Sudlow was collared by police on Bloom Street in the city centre after an officer spotted him among a group of youths with something concealed down his front.
Sudlow told police a friend had found the expensive piece of sound mixing equipment on the street nearby and, being a keen musician, he decided to take it.
He said he had stuffed it down his trousers so nobody would steal it from him.
Joanne Grant, defending, told how Sudlow’s parents had warned him not to go into the city centre during the disturbances but he had disregarded their advice.
Sudlow was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment.
Judge Gilbart said: “It is difficult to overstate the sense of tragedy of seeing you in the dock —brought up by such devoted parents.
“You went into the city centre against advice and your presence added to the problems. With your education and interests, you knew how valuable the sound equipment was.”
After issuing the sentence, Judge Gilbart added: “I hope for your parents’ sake that when you emerge, you never trouble the courts again.”
Manchester University student Peter Bugososlavsky, 20, of Park Range, Rusholme, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article after he was found in St Ann’s Square in the early hours of August 10 carrying a knife.
When called to the witness stand, Bugososlavsky told the court he had been out watching the vandalism and destruction with friends in Piccadilly Gardens earlier in the evening.
He said: “This was the first time something like this had happened in our lifetime and I wanted to go and see what it was all about.”
Bugososlavsky returned home but at around 3am, after claiming he couldn’t sleep, he returned to the city centre on his bike.
He told the court he picked up his knife, with a four-inch blade, and took it with him on his way out. He said he felt scared as he had been a victim of an attack in the past and believed he may need it to frighten off potential attackers.
He was arrested by police in St Ann’s Square shortly before 5am.
Bugososlavsky was given a sentence of 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. In addition he was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work directed by the probation service.
Judge Gilbart told him: “You were naïve and you were foolish. You were arrested after the disturbances had ended, you were a nuisance being there but there is no suggestion you took part in the disturbances.
“If I had thought there was any reason to think you had entered the city centre to steal, you would be starting a long prison sentence.”
More related stories:
Greater Manchester Police warn looters: ‘It is only a matter of time before we catch you’
Charity auction to acknowledge clean-up following Manchester riots and looting
Amir Khan after the riots: ‘Sport teaches discipline – get kids involved’
L TO R: Peter Bugososlavsky, Luke Sudlow and Jade Wallace
