August 9th 2024.
Trudi Wharton could not hold back her tears as she watched her two sons, Adam and Ellis, being sentenced to 20 and 11 months in jail, respectively. The two young men had been involved in looting a library during far-right riots in Liverpool, and their actions had landed them in front of Judge Neil Flewitt KC.
As she said goodbye to her sons, Trudi made sure to let them know that she loved them, before turning to the judge and expressing her gratitude, saying, "Can I just take a moment to thank you, Judge?" The judge had just handed down the sentences after the brothers pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal from the Spellow Lane Library Hub in Walton. Ellis also admitted to assaulting an emergency worker during his arrest.
The library, which had opened just a year ago to support the local community, including a food bank, had been left in shambles after the riots. Ellis was found inside wearing a mask and holding a computer screen when he was arrested on August 4th. He had sustained a black eye during the arrest. Meanwhile, Adam was arrested nearby, wearing a balaclava as he acted as a lookout.
Outside the courtroom, Trudi spoke to reporters from Sky News, saying that she had been "expecting longer" sentences for her sons. She also added that they had gotten "carried away" in the heat of the moment. Trudi, who had lost her husband six years ago, also shared that she had a lot of disabilities and her sons were always there to help her. She knew that their absence would make life very difficult for her.
"It's going to be a real struggle," Trudi said, her voice breaking. "And it's not fair that people might judge me just because they're my children. I'm not a scumbag, to be honest."
It was revealed in court that Ellis had claimed he was "blackmailed" by his brother, who had asked him to join in the looting. However, Adam had a lengthy criminal record, with 16 previous convictions for 28 different offenses, including attempted robbery, robbery, theft, assault, and burglary.
In his sentencing, Judge Flewitt addressed the brothers, saying that they had made a "deliberate decision" to leave their homes and "steal anything of value". He denounced their actions as "looting", a "despicable crime" that only seeks to profit from the misery of others.
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