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A group of teenagers who travelled from London to Southend intent on violent disorder have been jailed.
The 10 males, aged between 15 and 10, descended on the seafront on July 30 last year, armed with machetes, fighting and terrifying people.
They started arriving in the town by train in the early afternoon and by 7pm violence and disorder had begun.
CCTV cameras saw them gathering in side streets in the town centre, away from people, Essex Police said.
They then united and went on a rampage, leaving at least two people with serious injuries.
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Nicola Tiney, who runs the Borough Hotel on the seafront, said they were ‘like a herd of bulls’ running through the town, stopping traffic and fighting with knives and machetes.
She said: ‘Lots of them had their hoods up and were wearing masks and hats, just coming to the seafront resort to cause trouble.
‘I had to get all of my customers in from the front; it was just disgusting. I didn’t see anyone get hurt, but you could see the machetes flying about at each other, and then lots of them ran off down the beach with families around. I think one of them threw their machete into the sea.’
Several of them were arrested at the scene and others were detained over the following months.
This week, 10 of them admitted violent disorder and and weapons offences at Basildon Crown Court.
Chief Superintendent Chris Bradford said: ‘Last summer, a small group among thousands of law-abiding visitors thought they would bring disorder to Southend.
‘They have now faced the consequences of their reckless and dangerous actions.’
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe said: ‘While there are others outstanding for their role in last year’s disorder, we will be looking for them.’
All of the jailed teenagers and their charges
Bottom row: Isaac Bello, 18; Lucas Braga, 18; Hamza Dinbil, 18 (Pictures: SWNS)
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, east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison.
Mekai Brown, 19, of Higham Road in Woodford Green, east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm – he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Lucas Braga, 18, from Stratford, east London, admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article and 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, and was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison.
An unnamed 17-year-old boy from London admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, 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 custody.
Another 17-year-old boy from London admitted violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to a referral order to be decided on in a youth court on a date to be determined.
A 17-year-old boy from Basildon, 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 boy from Pitsea, Essex, admitted violent disorder, conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to a detention and training order of 18 months.
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