A judge described Euan Corbett as a ‘third rate wannabe-gangster’ after he went on the run and ordered windows to be shot through

A danger driver who fled the country after causing the death of his friend was described by a judge as a “third rate pound shop wannabe-gangster” as he was jailed for 15 years.

Euan Corbett taunted police and arranged a shooting in Middlesbrough while abroad.

Corbett’s Audi A3 left the road and “bounced twice” before it overturned after he tried to negotiate a bend on the North York moors at over 100mph on May 2, 2020. His passenger and friend, Shane Finn, 21, was taken to James Cook University Hospital by air ambulance, but he died from his injuries two days later.

When another car stopped to help at the scene on Knott Road, which is north of Rosedale Abbey, Corbett, lied to them. He told the woman who stopped to help Mr Finn not to say he was there when the emergency services asked who was at the scene of the crash. He claimed that another man had been driving; and that he had fled the scene – something that the court heard distracted the police investigation.

A collision expert later found that Corbett was driving at speeds between 100 and 120 mph. He had no driving licence or insurance. The brakes of his Audi were worn, although that was not found to be a contributing factor to the crash.

Teesside Crown Court has heard that Corbett fled the country when he was granted bail. He failed to turn up to court in 2022. The judge described him as “swanning around Europe – taunting the police and taunting the family”. He wasn’t arrested until July 2025, on his return to the UK.

Whilst travelling in Europe, he committed a further offence. On Thursday, Corbett, who is from Thornaby, sat with his head in his hands, as he followed the court hearing from prison.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, told the court that Corbett ordered an associate “to ping” various people and to “blow their windows in” in a series of Snapchat voice messages. Corbett, 26, was trying to frighten people he said owed him money. On July 5, 2023, a woman was up watching TV after midnight, in her Middlesbrough home, when she heard a loud bang.

When she went downstairs, she saw her living room windows were smashed. Mr Gittins said that when she looked at her CCTV, she saw two men, with their faces covered, on a quad bike. The footage showed “one of them firing a shotgun at her house.”

Corbett ‘not fit to be in society’

Shane Finn’s father, Stephen Finn, stood up to read his statement. He said: “You should never have to bury your son, it’s the most heart wrenching experience, that leaves scars forever.”

Mr Finn thanks the police – who he said “never gave up.” Turning to Corbett, he told him: “You are a heartless, thoughtless man – you should stay locked up, You’re a waste of human skin and not fit to be in society.”

Georgia Dixon, Shane Finn’s partner, said that she had “barely become a mother, when my daughter lost her father” and that she couldn’t visit Shane in hospital because of Covid restrictions. “Shane was alone at the time of the accident because the defendant did not comfort him,” Ms Dixon said, “Shane was also alone when he died, because of Covid”.

Ms Dixon accused Corbett of “making a mockery out of our pain”. She said that whilst he was on the run, during the riots, he posted on Facebook that he would pay £5,000 to anyone “who sent him video evidence of setting police cars on fire”.

Corbett, who gives his address at HMP Hull, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving; causing death whilst uninsured and having no licence; and breach of bail. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess a firearm, with intent to cause fear of violence, by a jury after standing trial last week.

Corbett’s defence

Corbett’s barrister read out a statement from his client – he wrote that he wanted to let Shane Finn’s family “know how sorry I am”. He said that Shane “was his friend” and he “misses him dearly.”

Mr Rishi told the court that Corbett was 21, “very immature” and that he panicked – “he could not face his family, he could not face his friends. Out of shame, he left the country.”

The defence barrister said that the “three friends were together in the car, when Mr Finn positioned himself in the middle of the rear seat and did not wear a seat belt. Shane Finn’s injuries were not immediately apparent after the crash.”

Judge slams Corbett’s apology

Judge Jonathan Carroll told the court that Shane Finn will miss his daughter’s “first tooth, a child growing up into a young woman” because of Corbett’s “selfishness.”

“I accept that Shane Finn was not wearing a seat belt,” the judge continued, “but that was not the cause of his death. The speeds you were driving at over the North Yorkshire moors were truly shocking.

“You set about making excuses not to accept responsibility. As Shane was fighting for his life, you did not call an ambulance. You invented another driver.”

The judge said that Corbett had spent three years “swanning around Europe – taunting the police and taunting the family”.

He rejected Corbett’s apology – telling him: “I, on behalf of the family, want to make it clear that are no signs of remorse from you. You fled the country, prioritising yourself over anybody else.”

Over the shooting, the judge described Corbett as behaving like “some third rate pound shop wannabe-gangster. Like a loanshark, ordering another to shoot the windows of people who owed you a few quid – in your fantasy gangster lifestyle.”

Corbett was jailed for 15-years-and- two-months. He was banned from driving for 14-years-and-one-month.

Gazette Live

An 18-year-old boy who set fire to a fence and threw missiles at officers at the Manvers Way riots in 2024 has been jailed for four years.

Callum Bacon, now 19, was caught on police bodyworn camera at the scene of the widespread disorder outside a Holiday Inn Express on August 4, 2024.

There, the teenager was videoed as he kicked an officer’s riot shield and knocked them to the ground, threw objects at police and set fire to a fence.

Two months after the riot, Bacon was arrested following an appeal for information where police published the faces of dozens of people they wanted to question.

A statement from South Yorkshire Police released today (November 17) claims Bacon maintained his silence and refused to answer question about his behaviour at the hotel.

He was charged with violent disorder and arson, and later pleaded guilty to both counts.

Bacon, of Pontefract Road, Pontefract, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today where he was jailed for four years.

The investigation into August 4 riot in Manvers last year has to date seen over 100 people sentenced to a total of over 250 years in prison.

The incident outside Holiday Inn Express was among last summer’s riots, all of which took place after misinformation was disseminated in the wake of a fatal stabbing in Southport that claimed the lives of three young girls.

An anti-immigration protest attended by over 700 people turned violent, with extensive damage to the ground floors of the Rotherham hotel and burning bins set inside the entrance and fire exits.

Previous sentencing hearings for those involved with the disorder have heard that 58 police officers, three police dogs and one police horse were injured during the course of the violence.

Some 22 members of staff present within the hotel barricaded themselves inside a kitchen, using three freezers, fearing they would die, the court has previously heard.

Sheffield Star

A drunk teen who had no memory of throwing missiles at police during a city centre riot has been put behind bars

Jack Anderson, who had been drinking and had taken cocaine, joined in the mass disorder in Sunderland on August 2 last year, that mirrored similar trouble that swept across the UK.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Anderson had a Union Jack flag draped across his shoulders and threw two objects towards the police line.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said Anderson was later arrested and initially made no reply when questioned by the police but added: “He later said he could remember going out in the city centre for a drink but due to the alcohol and cocaine he consumed he had no memory of what he had done after.”

Anderson, 19, of Sherpherd Terrace, Sunderland, admitted riot.

Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to two years behind bars and told him: “You brought shame not only on the flag you draped yourself in but on the city of Sunderland.”

Judge Gittins said he was satisfied Anderson got “swept up” in the violence and has a good prospect of rehabilitation but added that sentences for civil disorder must “punish and deter others from copying”.

Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, said Anderson was just 18 at the time and had a turbulent home life but has an “exemplary” work ethic, is in employment, has a steady relationship and added: “He is doing all he can to make his life a success.”

Miss Allinson-Howells said Anderson was supported by friends and family members during the court hearing.

The court heard during the widespread trouble in the city that day police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as areas became unsafe for ordinary members of the public.

Mr Pallister said: “Officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Officers were attacked with missiles and verbally abused.

“Four officers required hospital treatment and some are not fit enough to return to frontline duties.

“Police vehicles were targeted and damaged. Several patrol cars needed repairs.”

The court heard the city’s police hub was set on fire, business premises were smashed and shops were looted.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said in an impact statement police vehicles as well as community buildings and businesses came under attack that day.

Ms Jardine said the violence was met with a £1.517m policing operation and the full psychological cost to officers involved is yet to be known.

Sunderland Echo

A “sensitive young man” who was involved in the Sunderland riot has dodged jailed after he handed himself in to police.

Drunken Liam Wilde was caught on CCTV throwing a missile at police officers and filming the disorder on his phone during wide-spread disorder in the city on August 2, last year.

A protest in the city centre quickly escalated into ugly scenes which saw police officers attacked, businesses damaged and looted and racist language shouted. Hundreds of people have since been arrested and many jailed for their roles in the disorder, which Northumbria Police’s Chief Constable said cost around £1m to police.

On Tuesday, Wilde, of Honister Drive, Sunderland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for violent disorder. The 25-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court heard that Wilde had been drinking in the city centre when he joined in on the violence in Keel Square. He was captured on CCTV filming the disorder on his mobile phone before throwing a missile at the police line.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said that during the disorder, police officers were injured, and police dogs were hurt by masonry which was thrown by members of the mob. He said: “The defendant was seen walking away from the police line before bending down to pick up an object and throwing it with significant force towards the police line.”

The court heard that following the riot, police circulated images of those involved, with one image identifying Wilde. He later handed himself in to police.

Mr Ahmad added: “In interview he said he had drinks with a friend and had not been aware of the protest taking place, but joined in and carried on drinking. He accepted throwing a stone. He said he regretted his actions and wouldn’t have acted that way had he been sober.”

Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, said Wilde had no previous convictions and that his involvement in the disorder was “out of character”. She said: “Much can be said for getting caught up in the moment. He observed and then began to film.”

Ms Allinson-Howells said that positive references had also been provided to the court on his behalf, adding: “He is a caring and sensitive young man who is responsible and soft-spoken and is very nervous about being involved in these proceedings.”

Judge Stephen Earl said Wilde had shown “genuine remorse” and handed him a 20 month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and 40 rehabilitation days. He must also pay £187 surcharge.

The Chronicle

A man has been sentenced for affray committed during a violent disorder in Bristol city centre.

Jacob Dolphin, 24, of Weston-super-Mare, admitted the offence and was given an 18-month community order and a fine at Bristol Crown Court on 23 October.

He was seen kicking out at officers on five occasions and threw an object outside Bridewell Police Station during the incident on 3 August 2024.

Judge Peter Blair described the violence during the riot as some of the worst seen in the city’s history. Dolphin was fined £900 in addition to a £95 surcharge, and was told to complete 170 hours of unpaid work.

BBC News

A bathroom fitter has been jailed after he smashed his way in through the window of a bank during a city centre riot.

Dane Peace and another man were caught on CCTV using a scaffolding pole to break through the glass front of the NatWest branch in Sunderland, while disorder swept across the city on August 2 last year (2024).

Footage shows the pair repeatedly ram the window before it eventually breaks and Peace kicks at it before he climbs in.

He is then shown roaming around inside the bank, where he stole two pin pads that had no use to him.

During the trouble that day Peace also threw missiles at police and looted a vape shop.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Peace, who runs his own bathroom fitting business, now considers his own drunken behaviour that day to be “pathetic”.

Peace, 30, of Tadcaster Road, Sunderland, admitted violent disorder and two charges of burglary and earlier this week was jailed for two years and four months.

Judge Robert Adams said Peace’s behaviour was “despicable” and added: “You were seen initially confronting police outside Aldi then seen to throw missiles a the police during an altercation outside The Yard building.”

The judge said Peace kicked windows and threw beer kegs outside The Yard office building before he went to the Vape Local shop, which was being looted.

Judge Adams said Peace then smashed his way into the NatWest bank, which he entered on two occasions, and stole two pin pads.

The judge added: “They had no value to you at all but you get them and made off with them. Your finger prints were found on the bank window.”

Mathew Hopkins, defending, said Peace feels “shame and embarrassment” and can offer no good explanation for getting involved.

Mr Hopkins said Peace was grieving his grandfather and had had to move home due to a relationship break down and added: “He started sofa surfing, drinking to excess and a friend invited him to come out to the town.

“He accepts he was extremely drunk when he was there and just started joining in with what other people were doing.”

Mr Hopkins said Peace has never been in trouble before, is “not a political person” and did not join in to target any particular group of people.

The court heard the vape shop raid cost the company £83,000 in stolen stock, damage and lost business.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said during the widespread trouble that day police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as areas became unsafe for ordinary members of the public.

Mr Pallister said: “Officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Officers were attacked with missiles and verbally abused.

“Four officers required hospital treatment and some are not fit enough to return to frontline duties.

“Police vehicles were targeted and damaged. Several patrol cars needed repairs.”

The court heard the city’s police hub was set on fire, business premises were smashed and shops were looted.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said in an impact statement police vehicles as well as community buildings and businesses came under attack that day.

Ms Jardine said the violence was met with a £1.517m policing operation and the full psychological cost to officers involved is yet to be known.

Sunderland Echo