SuffolkOnline.net

Two Cheshire men jailed for using Facebook to incite disorder during last week's riots are to appeal against their prison sentences.

Jordan Blackshaw, 21, from Marston, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, from Warrington, were jailed for four years at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday.

The judge said he hoped the sentences would act as a deterrent.

The men both admitted encouraging crime in Northwich, although there were no outbreaks of disorder in the town.

Blackshaw and Sutcliffe-Keenan pleaded guilty under sections 44 and 46 of the Serious Crime Act to intentionally encouraging another to assist the commission of an indictable offence.

Blackshaw's solicitor, Chris Johnson, of Moss Haselhurst solicitors in Winsford, said his client and his family were "somewhat shocked by the sentence".

He said: "It was something which was started as a joke by Jordan.

"Obviously it was rather misplaced and misguided.

"We are not aware of anyone taking up the call that they made.

"Northwich, as far as we understand, has remained peaceful."

Rebecca Tanner, from Tranters solicitors in Manchester, said Sutcliffe-Keenan would appeal against the sentence on the grounds that it was disproportionate to the offence.

"I wouldn't have anticipated it would be as much as four years," she said.

"Obviously, as a 22 year old, in his situation, knowing that ultimately whilst he'd been extremely foolish, I think he was shocked, given that his view would be he hadn't actually caused any physical hurt, or physical harm, or caused any damage as a result of his actions."

The Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Carlile, president of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said he was "surprised" by the sentences.

"The Chester sentence was handed out by a very experienced and highly regarded judge who was reflecting the views of the community he serves.

"But the sentences are heavy, and there are no guideline cases for judges to work from for this situation.

"I would expect the court of appeal to be asked very soon to provide a guideline case or cases so that judges can provide consistent, if severe, sentences around the country."

The prosecution said Blackshaw had created a Facebook event called "Smash d[o]wn in Northwich Town", intended for the receipt of the "Mob Hill Massive Northwich Lootin".

The page said people should meet on 9 August, between 13:00 and 16:00 BST, "behind maccies" - thought to be McDonald's in Northwich town centre.

There has also been criticism of the men's sentences from MPs, barristers and campaigners, who have said the sentences handed down to some of those involved in riots across England are too severe.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said sentences "should be about restorative justice", not retribution, while Labour MP Paul Flynn said the government was "throwing away sentencing rules".

And leading criminal barrister John Cooper QC said he believed some sentences were "over the top" and likely to be overturned by the Court of Appeal.

But Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has said "exemplary sentences" are necessary and that people need to understand the consequences of rioting, looting and disorder.