Ten sentenced after seafront machete fight
Ten people have been sentenced after "two rival gangs" fought with machetes on a seafront.
Families watched on as the violent disorder erupted by the beach and High Street in Southend-on-Sea on 30 July 2024.
It followed an invite to bring alcohol, drugs and nitrous oxide to a "beach rave" on what had been the hottest day of the year.
The defendants, aged between 15 and 19, were given prison sentences of up to eight years at Basildon Crown Court.
They were spotted on CCTV gathering in side streets before clashing in the city centre.
At least two were seriously injured, with one airlifted to the Royal London Hospital with a serious stab wound.
Essex PoliceThe defendants were sentenced across two days at court.
- Tyler Omo-Irogho, 19, of Clarendon Road in Watford, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison
- Michael King, 18, of Crescent Road in South Woodford, north-east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm (GBH). He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison
- Mekai Brown, 19, of Higham Road in Woodford Green, north-east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiring to commit GBH. He was sentenced to eight years in prison
- Lucas Braga, 18, from Pitchford Street in Stratford, east London, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to two years in prison
- Isaac Bello, 18, of Prospect Road in Woodford Green, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to two years in prison
- Hamza Dinbil, 18, of Corporation Street in Stratford, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison
Four boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also sentenced:
- A 17-year-old from London admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit GBH, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. He was sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison
- A 17-year-old from London admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to a referral order, to be decided at a later date
- A 17-year-old from Basildon in Essex admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to a 20-month detention and training order
- A 15-year-old from Pitsea in Essex admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit GBH and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to an 18-month detention and training order
Your SouthendThere was no suggestion the violence was committed by those who attended the beach rave, for which invites were circulated on social media.
A source at Southend-on-Sea City Council said people had been enjoying the hot weather throughout the day.
"As the day developed, there were two rival gangs and that's where it broke out," they said last July.
"It was London postcode wars spilling out on the streets of Southend."
A video appeared to show at least four people dressed in black and brandishing large knives near the Adventure Island theme park.
Ch Supt Chris Bradford said they were now facing "the consequences of their reckless and dangerous actions".
Officers seized seven weapons during the disorder, which began at about 19:00 BST.
They were given extra stop and search powers in areas including Marine Parade, Pier Hill, High Street, Western Esplanade and both the city's railway stations.
Bayo Alaba, the Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, said he was left "speechless" by what happened.
Police have continued working to identify two more people they believed were involved in the incident.
Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe said: "While there are others outstanding for their role in last year's disorder, we will be looking for them."
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