Man arrested during Middlesbrough EDL march is given conditional discharge

Jamie Ray, 26, was sentenced for a charge of drunk and disorderly after being arrested during EDL protest in June

A man who was arrested during an English Defence League protest has been given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Jamie Ray appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 27, where he was sentenced for a charge of drunk and disorderly – an offence he was arrested for during an EDL protest in June.

The 26-year-old, of Park Road North, Middlesbrough, was also charged with two counts of failing to surrender to custody at court – on July 28 and July 23 – using threatening or abusive words or behaviour and possessing a Class B drug – both on July 9.

A charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place was withdrawn.

As previously reported about 350 people took part in a demonstration on Corporation Road, Middlesbrough town centre, while a further 150 people took part in a counter demonstration, both on June 28.

More than 300 police officers were involved in an operation during the march and counter demonstration, which had been planned for a number of months.

Ray was one of two men arrested on the day.

The other – Andrew David Johnson, 37, of Moorcock Close, Eston – previously pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £35 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

However, Ray initially failed to turn up to court following his arrest. A warrant without bail was then issued for his arrest.

Gazette Live