A man claimed his brother had 'blackmailed' him into looting a library in Merseyside, which was set on fire during violent scenes in Liverpool on August 3.
Ellis Wharton attempted to steal a computer monitor after breaking into the community hub during violence on County Road in Walton. A court heard how his older sibling, Adam Wharton, meanwhile waited outside the premises and acted as a 'lookout' for his younger brother.
The Wharton brothers have become the sixth and seventh men to be locked up in the aftermath of riots across Merseyside, following similar incidents in Southport and Liverpool city centre.
Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that this afternoon (August 8): "This court will be aware of the public disorder across the court following the tragic event in Southport. One such incident of disorder took place on the 3rd of August on County Road."
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"That large scale incident caused an immediate and lasting impact on the community. It included the loss of Spellow Lane library, community hub and food bank to arson. That resource was the location of a burglary at around 2am on the 4th of August. The court may also be aware the community has pulled together in the aftermath, particularly in relation to that resource."
He then acknowledged the moment police caught Ellis Wharton with the computer monitor inside the library.
Mr Taylor added: "At about 2am, officers were alerted by the National Police Air Service that persons had entered that library. PC [Thomas] Nielsen entered the library and saw Ellis Wharton in possession of a computer monitor. He was told to put it down and he did. He was told he
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