Six convicted in single day as further pleas continue in violent disorder

Six people have been convicted in a single day in court as part of our ongoing investigation into the violent disorder in Tamworth.

Yesterday (Wednesday 17 September), Tommy McQuaker, 29, of Amington, Tamworth, Simon Orr, 38, of Two Gates, Tamworth, and Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox, 37, of Rugeley, appeared at Stafford Crown Court after being charged with offences relating to the violent disorder on 4 August.

(Tommy McQuaker (left) and Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox (right))

McQuaker repeatedly launched missiles at police and refused to comply with instructions when he was told to move back by a dog handler.

Due to his aggressive behaviour and repeated attempts to assault officers and police dogs, he was bitten by PD Vixen. He repeatedly kicked her as a result of the bite.

She was also hit in the head with a brick by someone when it happened.  

McQuaker handed himself in on 15 August after finding out we’d been looking for him. He was charged with violent disorder and admitted the offence in court yesterday. He will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on 8 November. 

Orr pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker after an officer was injured in the disorder but pleaded not guilty to riot. His trial for the latter charge is due to take place at Stafford Crown Court on 20 January.

Hodgkinson-Hedgecox pleaded guilty to violent disorder after she was seen on footage repeatedly challenging officers and making a number of racial slurs at the scene. She was with a young boy at the time who she had to move out of the way of fireworks and missiles that were being thrown towards police.

She will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on a date and time to be fixed.

The three convictions follow a series of other results in court yesterday, including the first charge for riot in the West Midlands.

Read more about it here: Riot conviction secured in Staffordshire | Staffordshire Police