A man admitted sending a number of threatening hoax emails to schools, which forced pupils and staff to take urgent action. Darren Rigby, 21, admitted a series of offences in relation to emails sent to three different all-girls schools across Merseyside which led to lockdowns and children sheltering under their desks.
Rigby, of Worthington Close in Runcorn, entered guilty pleas to three counts of sending communication threatening death or serious harm in relation to the emails sent over a number of days in January this year. Rigby, appearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on January 30, also admitted possession of a controlled class B drug, cannabis, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, a baton.
Rigby was remanded in custody following his guilty pleas until he is due to be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on February 27. District Judge Paul Healey sent the case to the higher court because of limitations on the maximum custodial sentence he could pass.
Rigby sent his first email to Holly Lodge Girls’ College in West Derby on January 19. A source told the ECHO the school went into an immediate lockdown. They said: “Numerous pupils were severely distressed by the incident, including some who were crying and shaking.
“Some pupils were advised to hide under their desks, and in one classroom, I believe they were asked to put chairs against the door to prevent anyone from being able to enter the classroom. We were forced to go into complete darkness and shut the shutters for the safety of our girls. I never imagined a day like this would ever come.”
A threat was received by staff at Holly Lodge Girls’ College, West Derby(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The school’s headteacher Andy Keen said the incident lasted 50 minutes from receipt of the email to the dismissal of students. He added he was confident the response was “robust and efficient”.
In a statement he added: “We understand the potential distress and alarm such threats cause parents, who understandably are worried about their children. Sadly, such threats to schools are not unusual and are designed to cause disruption and worry.”
Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council issued a joint statement which added: “Enquiries regarding the cause of these threats are ongoing, but at this stage we believe they are hoax messages and there have been no credible threats in Liverpool. Officers are continuing to provide reassurance and advice to those schools.
“The safety of students and staff is our highest priority. We’d like to thank parents and carers for their patience and understanding and ask that they continue to follow advice and guidance from their child’s individual schools.”
Following the incident, it was reported that West Derby School, near Holly Lodge, had announced it would not be opening on January 21, after it also received an alleged malicious communication. The school remained shut for the entire day before reopening the following day.
Greenbank High School in Southport was forced to lock all doors and windows, as well as cancelling outdoor lessons, when staff allegedly received a similar hoax email on January 23. The ECHO previously reported it was similar to the one sent to Holly Lodge.
Greenbank High School, Southport(Image: Liverpool Echo)
In a statement issued via Sefton Council, headteacher Davina Aspinall said: “Like other schools in the region we received email correspondence today of a concerning nature. While both Merseyside Police and the Southport Learning Trust believe this correspondence to be a hoax, absolutely no risks were taken and we immediately enacted our shelter mode policy.
“During shelter mode all education continues as normal with added security measures including the locking of all internal doors and windows. Any pupils taking lessons outside were brought indoors as a precaution. We immediately contacted parents and carers to alert them to this matter.”
Three days later The Belvedere Academy in Toxteth reported receiving a similar email which resulted in the school being placed in lockdown. Merseyside Police later confirmed officers believed it was another alleged hoax.
A worried parent said she rushed to the school after hearing about the incident. She told the ECHO: “The Belvedere Academy received an email threat today, kids and teachers were under tables, locked down while police swept the building.
“It’s terrifying for all. I did go there in a panic and there was only one police car there at the front of the building, someone was manning the gates that were locked.”
Speaking after Rigby was charged, Merseyside Police Detective Inspector John Black said: “I hope our investigation reassures our communities how seriously we take these reports.
“I would like to take this opportunity to once again reassure parents and carers that schools across Merseyside have well established and practiced procedures to keep children and school staff safe when schools are made aware of potential incidents or threats.
“This work will continue and as a police force we will always look to provide advice to schools if required and carry out enquiries if such incidents occur in the future.”
Merseyside Police confirmed a 21-year-old man, later identified as Rigby, was arrested in connection with the messages sent to Holly Lodge, Greenbank and Belvedere, on January 28. He was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Online Safety Act.
The offence of sending threatening communications carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine, according to official sentencing guidelines.
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