Man denies disorder charge

A Sunderland man has appeared in court charged with conspiracy to commit violent disorder following alleged clashes in Liverpool.

Alan Raine, 40, from Percival Street, Sunderland appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

He appeared alongside three other men – Brian Stamp, 34, from Talbot Road, South Shields; Wayne Bell, 36, from Mount Walk, Castleford, and Nicky Prescott, 43, from Fawcett Close, Blackburn – who were also alleged to have been involved in the clashes.

The incident took place on February 27 last year near the city’s Lime Street station.

The charges relate to large-scale public disorder at St George’s Plateau between a group calling themselves the North West Infidels and anti-fascist activists.

Although police tried to keep the two groups apart, they were heavily outnumbered and on at least two occasions a number of people broke through the cordon and fought with opponents.

Paving stones, flares and smoke bombs were thrown during the protests and several bystanders were injured.

All four men pleaded not guilty to the charge, with a trial date listed for October 23.

Stamp was given technical bail with instructions not to enter Liverpool city centre.

Raine was given conditional bail.