Liam Gallagher’s son Gene, 18, arrives at court to face affray charge over ‘late-night fight’


Liam Gallagher’s son Gene, 18, arrives at court to face affray charge with Ringo Starr’s grandson, 19, over ‘late-night fight’ at Tesco Express after model friend ‘racially abused staff member’

  • Gene Gallagher, Sonny Starkey, both 18, due in Crown Court with Noah Ponte
  • They pleaded not guilty at magistrates last month to alleged scrap in Tesco
  • Ponte allegedly racially abused shopkeeper after he could not buy beer at 12am
  • All three have been charged with affray, using or threatening unlawful violence
  • But 19-year-old Ponte also charged with racially aggravated common assault

Liam Gallagher’s son has arrived at court to face an affray charge with Ringo Starr’s grandson over an alleged late-night fight in Tesco Express after their model friend ‘racially abused a staff member’.

Gene Gallagher, 18, wore a navy blue jacket, and kept his hands buried in his pockets as he walked to Wood Green Crown Court this morning.

In February, Gene and Sonny Starkey pleaded not guilty to affray at Highbury Corner Magistrates.

The pair, both 18, were charged alongside IMG model Noah Ponte, 19, over an alleged late-night fight in Tesco Express on Heath Street, Hampstead.

Sonny Starkey, 18, appearing at Wood Green Crown Court this morning

Gene Gallagher, 18, (left) and Sonny Starkey (right) appearing at Wood Green Crown Court this morning

Gene and Starkey were described as ‘windmilling’ down the aisle at a shopkeeper trying to stop them leaving, magistrates were previously told.

Ponte allegedly racially abused the shopkeeper after he could not buy a can of beer at midnight – as it was after 11pm – and tried to walk out of the store without paying.

All three are charged with affray, using or threatening unlawful violence towards another, with 19-year-old Ponte also charged with racially aggravated common assault.

He is accused of telling a worker: ‘You bloody Indians. Go back to where you came from. You’re not wanted here.’

IMG model Noah Ponte arrives at Wood Green Crown Court today

IMG model Noah Ponte arrives at Wood Green Crown Court today

Prosecutor Adeal Mahmood at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court said: ‘On Friday 17 May at around midnight police received a call from Tesco Express with a report that a group of males were fighting with staff at the location.

‘On arrival there was a large group congregating outside and inside the store they had detained Mr Starkey and Mr Gallagher.

‘Mr Ponte was outside the pub opposite the store. On seeing police, Mr Ponte walked away heading towards Hampstead underground station.

‘All of the suspects were detained by officers and identified as being part of the fight.

‘On speaking with the staff they confirmed that they had been inside the store and one of them tried to purchase a can of alcohol but it wouldn’t scan because Tesco do not sell alcohol after 11pm.

Gene Gallagher and Noah Ponte attend the London For Real event on June 12, 2019 in London

Gene Gallagher and Noah Ponte attend the London For Real event on June 12, 2019 in London

‘When challenged, Mr Ponte attempted to leave the store with the alcohol. When staff intervened, they started to fight with the staff causing cuts on the member of staff.

‘Mr Shium Patel did not have any lasting injuries.

‘Mr Patel states Mr Ponte attacked him and said to him, ‘You bloody Indians. Go back to where you came from. You’re not wanted here.’

‘CCTV captures Mr Starkey and Mr Gallagher fighting windmilling down the store aisle.’

Gallagher, 18 and Starkey, 19 today, as well as Ponte, all elected for their trial to take place at Crown Court, which begins today.