Cyclist with ‘immature wish to be involved in riots’ spared jail

Daniel Robins was riding around on his bike in the thick of the Hartlepool riots, shouting at the police and hitting windows with a stick

A 23-year-old cyclist involved in the riots has walked out of court.

Daniel Robins waved a stick around and hit the windows of premises on Lothian Road, in Hartlepool, on July 31, as violence erupted around him. He was captured on CCTV giving a rock to another rioter.

Teesside Crown Court has heard that Robins has been anxious about going to prison after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder, six weeks ago. On Monday, the court heard that Robins went to a special needs school and left without gaining any qualifications.

He lives with his mum, and a psychologist’s report found that he has “learning issues”, although he has not been formally diagnosed. Robins’ barrister Stephen Constantine told the court that his client’s mother has been “fighting tooth and nail to get assistance” for her son.

“He hit windows with the stick and can be seen riding around,” Mr Constantine said, “he has an inability to recognise the consequences of his actions.”

Judge Richard Bennett told Robins that he seems to have gone to the riots “out of an immature wish to be involved – it appeared exciting”. The Middlesbrough court heard that Robins would be “highly vulnerable in the prison environment”.

“People are entitled to protest freely and air their views, but you were not involved in a peaceful protest,” the judge continued. “You had been drinking when you noticed the disorder that night. Your mother is in the public gallery to support you, as she has done throughout your life.”

Robins, of Catcote Road in Hartlepool, was handed a 16-month prison term, suspended for two-years. He must attend 30 rehabilitation days and take part in an alcohol abstinence programme, which is electronically monitored, for 120-days.

Gazette Live