Defendants appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court
A woman who pushed a burning wheelie bin into a row of cops was among the defendants to appear in court following violent riots in Middlesbrough.
Missiles were thrown at police officers, windows were smashed and several vehicles were set alight as protesters made their way through the town centre on Sunday.
Disorder had previously broken out in towns and cities across the UK, including Sunderland and Hartlepool, following the fatal stabbings of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday, July 29.
On Tuesday, 28 people, aged between 16 and 56, were due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court in Middlesbrough. Some of the defendants had to be moved to South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in South Shields due to backlogs in dealing with them.
Among those to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court was Stacy Vint, who pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder.
The 34-year-old, Normanby Road, Middlesbrough, pushed a burning wheelie bin into a row of police officers before falling to the ground and being arrested.
The court heard how Vint and a man were seen pushing the bin, the contents of which were on fire, on Linthorpe Road. Prosecutor John Garside said the pair then shoved the bin at a police line before Vint fell over and was arrested.
Vint, who initially gave officers a false name, was remanded in custody until her sentencing hearing on August 28.
James Ambrose, who appeared before a District Judge at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, admitted two offences.
Paige Sparks, prosecuting, told the court that the 33-year-old was throwing bricks and stones during the riot. When arrested, a small amount of cannabis was found in his jeans pocket.
Ambrose, of Letitia House, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of cannabis.
District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded Ambrose into custody. He will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on a date yet to be set.
A number of other people pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.
Jamie Govan allegedly shouted profanities and kicked out at police during disorder in Middlesbrough.
Mr Garside said the 26-year-old is accused of shouting: “You’re protecting them while they rape and kill kids” at officers before making ‘come on gestures’ with his hands.
The court heard he allegedly swung his arms and kicked his legs out at police who “resorted to using leg restraints”.
Govan, of Windmill Terrace, Stockton, pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder. A district judge was told that the defendant “maintains he did nothing wrong”.
Govan was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 27.
Ashley Ferguson appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court accused of damaging property with a four-foot wooden pole. The 33-year-old is also alleged to have waved the pole towards police “in a threatening manner”.
Ferguson, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon. He was remanded in custody until he appears at crown court on August 27.
Lennon Chisholm, 21, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court accused of being in a Renault car that was used to travel around the town to “cause disorder”.
Chisholm, of Wilshere Road, Middlesbrough, sobbed in the dock as he pleaded not guilty to violent disorder. The court heard how he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 27. His girlfriend called: “I love you” as he was led away.
James Bullock also pleaded not guilty when he appeared at the court in Middlesbrough.
Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard how a burning wheelie bin was pushed at police during disorder. Bullock is accused of being involved in the incident. Mr Garside alleged that he had “visited the location wearing gloves and a balaclava”.
Bullock, Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder. The court heard he “maintains he did nothing wrong at all – he was offered a lift in a van home”.
He was remanded in custody until his next appearance at crown court on August 27.
Another defendant banged on the dock glass and shouted as he was remanded in custody over claims he “threw missiles” at police and members of the public while wearing a ski mask.
Kaleb Peacock Lightfoot, of Dixon Grove, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder. Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard how the 19-year-old attended “what he believed was going to be a peaceful protest”.
Lightfoot, who appeared at the court via a video link from South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 28.
The teenager became visibly distressed when District Judge Marie Mallon said she would not be granting him bail.
Jonathan Lodge appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court accused of being part of a group that set “multiple” bins on fire.
The 36-year-old of Coatham Road, Redcar, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder. Mr Marley, defending, told the court that he denies any involvement in the disorder.
Lodge was remanded into custody. He will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
David Gove, of Brafferton Walk, Middlesbrough, also denied a charge of violent disorder at the court in South Shields.
Mr Marley, defending, said the 41-year-old sustained “significant injury” from a police dog and was merely trying to make his way home and was getting picked up by his partner. He said he denies any involvement in the disorder.
The court heard how he has no previous convictions and is of good character.
District Judge Zoe Passfield handed Gove conditional bail. He will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
Some of those who appeared before the court did not enter a plea.
Carl Robson, 29, and Lawrence McGlade, 28, also appeared separately before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard how their cases were both linked to the case of Jonathan Lodge.
Robson, of Halton Court, Middlesbrough, did not enter a plea to a charge of violent disorder.
He is remanded in custody and will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 28. Family members told him: “Keep your chin up” as he was led away by security.
McGlade, of Ellerbeck Way, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, was also charged with violent disorder. He did not enter a plea during the hearing and was remanded in custody. He will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
Anthony Brown faced three offences when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
The 37-year-old was charged with violent disorder, assaulting a police officer and possession of class C drug – pregabalin. The offences are alleged to have been committed on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough.
Brown, of Windsor Road, Middlesbrough, did not enter any pleas. District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded him in custody until his next hearing at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
Akheel Khan also appeared before the court in South Shields charged with violent disorder. The 24-year-old, of Wheatley Close, Middlesbrough, is alleged to have been a counter-protester. No plea was entered by Khan during the hearing.
The court heard how the university graduate, who works as a engineer, is of previous good character. He was remanded into custody until his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
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