Date of Incident: August 3, 2022

During the summer riots following the Southport attacks, two looters, Elizabete Zvirgzdina and Lucy Houghton, were caught stealing goods, including Crocs and bath bombs, from high street shops in Hull. The women laughed as they took their loot, later posting a photo on Twitter.

Zvirgzdina, 19, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Lush store on Jameson Street, where she unlawfully entered and took multiple products. She was also charged with attempted burglary at an O2 shop and possession of cannabis shortly after the incident.

Houghton, also 19, confessed to handling stolen goods after they took Crocs left outside the Shoezone. CCTV footage showed Zvirgzdina entering the O2 shop through pre-smashed windows, but she did not steal anything. Zvirgzdina admitted to police that she had consumed five to seven vodka and Cokes before the incident.

Both women claimed they were influenced by others participating in the looting. Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland indicated that while they were not part of the earlier violent disorder, both had anticipated and planned for the looting, causing significant loss and damage.

Defence lawyer Claire Holmes explained that both women displayed remorse and voluntarily reported to the police after the incident. They acknowledged their poor behaviour but did not attempt to justify it through their intoxication.

Judge Mark Bury stated that their actions contributed to a significant stain on the city, highlighting the overall disorder and verbal abuse faced by racial minorities during the riots, though neither woman was involved in that violence.

Ultimately, Judge Bury expressed disappointment in their choices but noted they both showed potential for better behaviour. He sentenced Zvirgzdina to an eight-month suspended prison sentence and 12 days of rehabilitation, while Houghton received 40 hours of unpaid work along with 15 days of rehabilitation.