North East milkman jailed for throwing bricks at takeaway during riot

Carl Sharp was seen throwing bricks through the glass door of the Red Lantern Chinese takeaway and throwing a missile at police during widespread disorder in Middlesbrough on August 4

A milkman hurled a brick through a business window and launched a missile at police officers during far-right disorder in Middlesbrough.

Carl Sharp participated in the widespread unrest which unfolded in the town centre on 4 August last year.

The 22-year-old had been invited to take part in the demonstration by two family members who had recently been freed from custody, a court was told. As the situation descended into violence, Sharp was filmed “laughing and applauding” while bins were set ablaze and projectiles were hurled towards police cordons.

On Friday, Sharp appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court via video link from HMP Holme House for sentencing on a charge of violent disorder, to which he had entered a guilty plea.

The court was told that on 4 August, Middlesbrough town centre witnessed an eruption of violence, with crowds taking to the streets and creating mayhem estimated to have resulted in £600,000 worth of damage and policing expenditure. Riot vehicles and shield-bearing officers descended upon the town in a bid to suppress the disturbances.

The disorder occurred during the same period as numerous other violent demonstrations took place nationwide, orchestrated by far-right and anti-immigration factions in the aftermath of the Southport killings. Similar scenes of unrest were witnessed in Hartlepool, Sunderland, London and Manchester.

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad stated the Middlesbrough ‘demonstration’ had been “broadcast on social media” and approximately 1,000 individuals congregated on Linthorpe Road. Officers were summoned to the location as events rapidly escalated into violence.

He stated: “People were chanting ‘take our country back’ and the atmosphere became heated. People were trying to break through police lines.”

The mob subsequently progressed towards the town centre whilst projectiles were hurled at officers and various premises came under attack. CCTV imagery captured Sharp launching a brick through the glazed entrance of the Red Lantern Chinese takeaway on Parliament Road, before making a return visit to hurl a second brick at the same door.

He was additionally observed to “laugh and applaud” whilst wheelie bins were forced towards police cordons and was witnessed hurling a projectile at constables. Mr Ahmad explained that the Red Lantern establishment was subsequently burgled by others participating in the disorder, with the till being taken.

Sharp was apprehended following identification via recorded footage. The court was informed he possessed prior criminal convictions and is presently serving a 30-month custodial term for possession with intent to supply heroin.

Nick Ayres, representing the defendant, explained that prior to the disturbance, Sharp had been employed as a milkman whilst maintaining a relationship and raising two youngsters. He stated: “He began mixing with relatives who had just been released from jail. They asked him to come with them [to the protest].”

Mr Ayres indicated his client’s strongest point in mitigation was Sharp’s guilty plea. He noted that he is presently undertaking mentoring duties within the prison system.

Judge Aisha Wadoodi remarked that Sharp participated in the “completely mindless violence” of that day. He received a 28-month prison sentence.

Chronicle Live