Lancashire Facebook four face trial over 'riots' messages (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Lancashire Facebook four face trial over 'riots' messages

4:24pm Thursday 20th October 2011 in Heysham news

Four men will go on trial accused of posting Facebook messages which encouraged rioting or looting during the August civil disturbances.

Karl Manley, 28, of Heysham, and Stefan Johnson, 21, of Lancaster, pleaded not guilty to encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, believing it would be committed.

Both were said to have used the social networking website on August 9 in which they messaged: "PC World Lancaster 7.30pm. Let the looting begin, could do with a laptop."

The pair will be tried jointly at Lancaster Crown Court on February 6 next year.

Christopher Schofield, 26, of Nelson, denied a similar charge in which on August 9 he allegedly posted: "Riot alert, meeting Duke Bar 8pm. Faces covered. Weapons Advised. Come on peeps."

The Duke Bar area of Burnley was the scene of serious disturbances a decade ago.

Warren Calvert, 19, of Heysham, also pleaded not guilty.

He was said to have issued an invitation on Facebook to join in or start a riot.

Schofield will go on trial at Lancaster Crown Court on February 13, while Calvert will go on trial at Preston Crown Court on February 2.

All four men were granted bail ahead of their next court appearances.

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