Protestor who threw stones at police jailed

A man who threw stones and rocks at police during a violent protest in Middlesbrough has been jailed.

More than 1,000 people were estimated to have taken to the streets in the town on 4 August, days after similar violence erupted in Hartlepool, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Eight officers were injured in Middlesbrough and houses and cars were damaged, prosecutors said.

Jonathan Ambrose, 33, admitted violent disorder and was jailed for two and a half years. Five more men are due to be sentenced later.

Prosecutor Rachel Masters said a “peaceful protest” in Middlesbrough was advertised on social media, with crowds gathering at the Cenotaph in Linthorpe Road at about 13:45 BST.

She said a march set off towards the town centre and was initially peaceful, but as the marchers passed Clarendon Road an object was thrown at them and the atmosphere become “heated”, Ms Masters said.

Police quickly formed a line to stop protestors getting into Clarendon Road which “numerous people attempted to break through”, the court heard.

“From that point onwards it became violent,” Ms Masters said, adding missiles were thrown at officers, bins set on fire and cars and windows smashed.

Drug-addict Ambrose, of Letitia House drug treatment centre in Middlesbrough, was seen at about 19:00 near Parliament Road throwing rocks and stones at police officers, Ms Masters said.

In mitigation, his lawyer Tabitha Buck said he had gone to see what was happening and made the “stupid mistake” of getting involved which he now regretted.

Ambrose, who had multiple previous convictions including for causing racially aggravated harm or distress, was jailed for 30 months having also admitted possessing cannabis.

BBC News