A BURTON biker who describes himself as ’no angel’ has been cleared of involvement in a riot between two rival gangs inside an airport terminal building.
Bob Haywood, known as ’Junk’, was one of 12 gang members accused of taking part in a ’battle’ between dozens of Outlaws and Hell’s Angels at Birmingham International Airport on January 20 last year.
The 46-year-old, of Stanton Road, Stapenhill, was one of just three defendants to be cleared of riot and violent disorder charges at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday. Eight men were found guilty and warned to expect ’significant’ jail terms while the jury failed to reach a verdict on the 12th defendant.
Jurors were told that the mass brawl — involving gang members armed with knives, a machete and other weapons — left passengers at the airport frightened and distressed.
A club, knuckle-dusters, three hammers and a meat cleaver were recovered after the violence.
The jury, which viewed CCTV footage showing members of the public wheeling suitcases near brawling gang members, convicted Mark Larner, Paul Arlett, Mark Price, Sean Timmins, Leonard Hawthorne, Mark Moseley, Jeremy Ball and Neale Harrison of riot.
Haywood, Maurice Ison and Marc Wilden were cleared, while Kevin Timmins will learn within the next fortnight whether he will face a retrial.
The trial was held six months after seven members of the Outlaws gang were sentenced to life at Birmingham Crown Court for the murder of Hell’s Angel Gerry Tobin, who was shot dead on the M40 in Warwickshire in August, 2007.
The ongoing feud between the two gangs was also the reason police refused to allow the Outlaws to stage the Rock and Blues Festival at Catton Park last year, fearing the event would prompt further outbreaks of violence.
Earlier this year, the Mail told how Haywood married his sweetheart of 25 years, Shelly Harrison, after proposing to her on a Blackpool rollercoaster last year.
The couple, who first developed their relationship while Haywood was serving a six-month prison sentence for affray, tied the knot at the Coors Visitor Centre — one of the last functions to take place at the venue before it closed.
Speaking to the Mail at the time, the groom said he was 'no angel' but admitted he was a 'softie' at heart.