Homeless woman ‘in darkest hour with cheap bottle of cider’ hurled bricks at riot police

Toni Lunam was carrying a two litre bottle of cider and all of her possessions in three carrier bags as she joined the Hartlepool riot

A “vulnerable” homeless woman who was captured on camera hurling two bricks at a line of riot police, and shouting abuse at them, has been jailed.

Toni Lunam, 36, was sleeping rough in Hartlepool when she became involved in the violent protest on July 31. She was carrying three plastic carrier bags housing all of her possessions, and a “cheap bottle” of cider, which she had opened – when she was captured shouting abuse and swearing at police.

Her barrister Michele Turner said that she is “vulnerable and never settled” in the town – after previously living in Gateshead and Middlesbrough – and took drugs and alcohol alongside two friends to “ease the pain”.

On Friday, Lunam stood in the dock at Teesside Crown Court but asked not to watch the video of her in the riots. Ms Turner said that was because she is “deeply, deeply embarrassed and ashamed.” The footage captures Lunam dressed in a black DKNY t-shirt, angry and shouting at the police.

Lunam was also being sentenced for stealing beauty products from Boots and Home Bargains, on August 8 and 17. She was arrested on August 29, on Hartlepool Marina, after police went out to reports of a woman trying car doors. She was trying the door of a BMW when the police arrived, and had a small amount of cocaine on her.

Lunam, of Collingwood Road in Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, two shop thefts and to the possession of cocaine. She has previous convictions for shop theft.

Ms Turner told the court that although this was her “darkest hour,” being in custody might be the best thing that has happened to her because her mental health and addiction problems could be dealt with. The court heard that she was positive about the training offered at HMP Low Newton.

Judge Francis Laird told Lunam that a group of people gathered at the cenotaph on the evening of July 31, after social media posts, giving addresses of local asylum seekers, called for a protest. He said: “Violent disorder developed.

“By 7.40pm, bricks, metal sheets and other missiles were being thrown at the police. You are visible approaching the police line aggressively, shouting and gesticulating. You were captured throwing bricks. I recognise that you are a vulnerable woman who has been a victim of significant domestic violence.

“This has led to you leaving your home on Tyneside. That created an environment of isolation and dependency. You admitted your involvement whilst at the police station.”

Lunam was jailed for 20-months.

Gazette Live