The 19-year-old’s mum said “I’m not going out. Where is he?” after her son was led to the cells
The 19-year-old’s mum said “I’m not going out. Where is he?” after her son was led to the cells
A teenager’s actions after he finished his shift in a pub early left his mum sobbing in court. Corneliu Magureanu became embroiled in violent scenes in Liverpool city centre days after six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were stabbed to death during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space in Southport.
This saw the then University of Chester student hurl abuse towards police officers and launch a rock in their direction outside John Lewis while clad in an England rugby shirt. Those few “seconds of madness” have now landed him in a prison cell.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Thursday, that Magureanu was caught on CCTV on Paradise Street on August 3 last year wearing a white t-shirt with an “England rose motif” among a group of men who were facing off with officers in the area between the John Lewis store in Liverpool ONE and Pret a Manger.
The then 19-year-old, of St Anne’s Close in Birkenhead, was seen watching on as missiles were thrown towards PCs before being handed an object by a masked men, which he then hurled in their direction.
Bernice Campbell, prosecuting, described how he subsequently handed himself in at Birkenhead Police Station on December 2 last year after his image was circulated by Merseyside Police as part of a wanted appeal. Under interview, Magureanu, who moved to the UK from his home country of Romania as a child, told detectives that he “got carried away”.
The defendant also detailed how he had been working in a pub near to Central Station which had to close early, but was unable to take a train home and “ended up staying with a group for around two hours”. He meanwhile stated that he had “never seen anything like it” and recalled being handed a rock by a 15-year-old boy which he then threw as he “thought he would be left alone”.
Magureanu, who is now aged 20 and has no previous convictions, also confessed to shouting “you’re a disgrace to the country” towards the police. Lloyd Morgan, defending, told the court: “Present in court are Father Paul Elliott from his parish church and his mother.
“Mr Magureanu is genuinely remorseful. He knows that he has let down not only himself but his church and his mother. She is in employment and very hard working and is understandably extremely upset and disappointed. He is, frankly, ashamed.
“It was a series of seconds of madness, brought on by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said he was leaving working. He was wearing an England rugby top. That was as a result of his employment, as opposed to any sinister element.
“He was just wandering around, perhaps the phrase is mooching, with his hands in his pockets. When he is given a stone, he throws it and shouts those things. He struggles to explain why he said what he did. Perhaps it is just being caught in that moment. He is ashamed of what he did.
“References all speak of a man who contributes to society, actively contributing to his church, helping people and someone who helps his mother and a young man with prospects of a bright future. Although he has left university at the moment as a result of the consequences of this, he is hopeful of reembarking upon his studies. He has something to offer society. He has already learned his lesson, well and truly. He is a young man who will not reoffend.”
Margureanu admitted violent disorder. Appearing in the dock wearing a black suit over a white shirt and turquoise tie, he was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institute.
His mum was then seen in tears as she left the public gallery, sobbing after her son had been led down to the cells: “No, no, no. I’m not going out. I’m not going out. Where is he?”
Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said: “Following the appalling, tragic events in Southport, much of the community was grieving. Others caused serious disorder in the form of vandalism, intimidation and violence against the police and others in the community which spread across Merseyside and the country.
“That brought fear and destruction to communities. The police came under sustained attack. There were people with prams and people shopping who became caught in this. Those who chose to become involved in disturbances of this magnitude must expect severe punishment.
“Liverpool is one of the most visited cities in Europe. This violent disorder had an impact on the city’s reputation as a place where people come to live and feel like they belong. Liverpool has a vibrant arts and cultural scene. The images of you and others who involved yourselves will have had a very negative impact on the city’s image.
“You could have walked off at any point. You say that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The trouble is that you remained there. You stayed in the wrong place for two hours.
“It is to your credit that you handed yourself in when your image had been shared publicly. A number of people speak highly of you. I accept that you regret that you did it.”