No prison for man who fired rocket at building
AN idiot who fired a rocket at the Liver Building walked free from court. Matthew Egglesden was involved in chaos at the Pier Head as thousands of Liverpool fans celebrated the Reds’ Premier League title win in June.
The 19-year-old set off two high powered “The King Reborn” rockets one of which veered off into the crowd, including families and children.
The second struck a first floor balcony at the Grade I listed Liver Building, setting fire to artificial grass and decking and causing almost £30,000 of damage.
The teenager was handed in to police by his dad, who saw footage of him and confronted his son, who made a tearful confession.
Egglesden, of Turning Lane, Scarisbrick, later admitted a charge of arson, accepting he deliberately fired a rocket in the direction of the building while being reckless.
But he was handed a suspended sentence after Liverpool Crown Court heard he came from a good family, had a good job and a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
The court heard Egglesden and others deliberately fired rockets at the Liver Building, wrongly believing it was lit up blue because it contains the headquarters of Everton FC.
Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said: “I have no doubt you did that because you and others there that night knew it was a building associated with your rival team, Everton Football Club.”
The judge said the building was in fact lit up red, white and blue to mark Armed Forces Day.
However, he said: “You and other foolish people around you believed that was in some way to do with Everton Football Club.”
He added: “You weren’t the only one targeting the building in that way. It seems that every time a firework hit the building, the crowd cheered.
“This was utterly outrageous and shameful behaviour by everybody involved.
“Such vandalism brings shame on Liverpool Football Club, it impacts on the reputation of the city worldwide and because of your involvement as well, it brings utter shame on you.
“There may have been stupid supporters cheering your actions that night, but I am sure that the vast majority of Liverpool supporters, within this city and worldwide, will be appalled by your actions.
“They risked tarnishing the club’s remarkable achievements this year in the Premier League.”
The court heard how the incident unfolded at around 10pm on Friday, June 26.
Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, said crowds had gathered despite the warnings of local authorities and Merseyside Police because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Commanding officer Kim Carter said the crowd contained a mixture of families and children, young people and older adults, many of whom were enjoying the celebrations and were positive to police.
However, she said “a great deal of alcohol” was being consumed and some glass bottles were thrown at officers and a firework set off towards them, so they withdrew.
She said a member of the public told her the reason fireworks were being aimed at the Liver Building was because it was lit up blue and some fans had “taken offence” because it contained the headquarters of their rival team.
Mr Taylor said video footage shared widely on social media showed a firework fired by Egglesden, in a distinctive T-shirt, hitting the balcony at 10.19pm, before flames could be seen.
Firefighters were called at 10.20pm and sent six fire engines and an aerial platform appliance, along with crews and four senior fire officers, to the scene.
They arrived at 10.26pm and a firefighter using a hose from a ladder put out the fire, preventing it from spreading further or into the building.
Mr Taylor said the cost of repairs carried out by specialist glaziers, masoners and roofers was £29,506.
The building’s operators claimed on insurance but said as a result the building could not be lit up for Armed Forces Day and NHS events.
They said they also had to reassure guests who would be using the suite off the balcony for weddings, while the fire service estimated the cost of its response at £3,183.60.
Egglesden was confronted by his dad the following morning.
Mr Taylor said he had appeared “teary” and talked about a “downturn in his life” even before his dad saw the article.
When challenged, he was described as being “in bits at that point and crying”.
Mr Taylor said: “He told his father that his friend had bought the fireworks in Bootle and he had been with his friend’s uncle.
“The defendant said he had set off fireworks but not the one that hit the building.”
He said as a family they decided to call the police to report their son.
Officers attended their home and arrested him and in interview he made no comment but gave a prepared statement, in which he accepted setting a firework off in the air, but had no intention to cause criminal damage.
He said: “I’m incredibly sorry for my actions and will offer to pay for the damage.”
The author of a pre-sentence report noted that Egglesden, who has no previous convictions and turns 20 this Sunday, was “genuinely remorseful” and apologised for the damage he had caused.
Simon Driver, defending, suggested there was “little or no planning” in the offence, though accepted his client had brought fireworks to the scene.
He said Egglesden, whose family were in court to support him, was of “good character” and had references from his employers and from a variety of adults who knew him well from his local community.
Mr Driver said: “Together those references paint a picture of a sensible, responsible and industrious young man, whom this criminality is so out of character it might be difficult a first glance to reconcile those portraits with the images of June 26.”
He said the pre-sentence report author found Egglesden made a series of “foolish decisions” and had shown “immaturity” in his actions.
Mr Driver said Egglesden “deeply regretted” the embarrassment he had caused his family.
He said: “He has become the face of all that was wrong that night and the primary focus of the glare of public attention.”
Mr Driver said his client had been subject to “outright hostility” online, adding much of this had also been directed to his family, which was a “heavy burden” for a 19-year-old to carry.
He said his family continued to support him but “that continuing support ought not to be confused with forgiveness”, adding: “They take a very dim view of his misconduct indeed.”
Mr Driver said his parents had effectively imposed a curfew themselves and his respected employer with whom he is on an apprenticeship had also been “highly critical” but he would soon complete level three of his training with the firm.
He urged the judge to spare Egglesden custody so he could continue this apprenticeship and said the report found he was not a risk or danger to the public and had a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.
Mr Driver said his client had savings of £4,000 and earned around £1,300 net a month and could pay compensation out of his own pocket.
He said: “This was a reckless act of gross stupidity and I invite the court to recognise that and draw back from the imposition of an immediate custodial sentence.”
Judge Menary said the cost of repair was around £29,000 but “the reputational damage to the city and Liverpool Football Club is even more significant”.
However, he said the teen was only 19, had no previous convictions, came from a “good, supportive family” and was in “good secure employment”, with positive references and “good prospects for the future”.
He accepted his actions were “completely out of character” and he was “no doubt carried away, emboldened by the misguided celebrations and possibly also affected by drink”.
Judge Menary accepted Egglesden probably thought firing a firework would have “little impact on a large stone building” but given the size of the rocket he should have stopped to think.
He said: “It is unbelievable that people like you and others should have behaved in such an idiotic way.”
Judge Menary said Egglesden could have no complaint if he was locked up, but accepted he was remorseful and his “appalled” parents had turned him in and taken steps to punish him, while comments on social media were “a considerable weight for you as a young man to bear”.
He handed him 12 months’ detention, suspended for 18 months, with a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
Judge Menary ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and to serve a three-month home curfew, from 8pm to 6am daily.
He told Egglesden to pay £3,183.60 in compensation to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and a contribution of £3,000 towards the loss suffered by the owners of the Royal Liver Building.