Joe MacKenzie is one of 28 people in the dock at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in connection with the disorder on Sunday

A company director sobbed in court on Tuesday, dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, as he was told he would be remanded in custody for his alleged part in rioting in Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Joe MacKenzie, 28, is accused of being among a main body of around 20 men wearing balaclavas and face coverings who clashed with the police during violent disorder in the city.

He is one of 28 people to have appeared at Teesside magistrates’ court on Tuesday in connection with the disorder.

Those who appeared in court are aged between 16 and 56.

Twenty-six are charged with violent disorder, one adult aged 18 is charged with possession of an offensive weapon and another, aged 32, was charged after being wanted on warrant.

A total of 40 arrests have now been made in connection with the disorder in Middlesbrough.

Four adults have been released on bail pending further enquiries, one remains in hospital because of a pre-existing medical condition and seven juveniles were released on bail while enquiries continue.

Mr MacKenzie, from Darlington, began to weep while sitting alongside a dock officer as Chris Tame, prosecuting, briefly outlined the case against him.

Mr Tame said: “The defendant was arrested on suspicion of throwing items, attacking police throughout the day and shouting expletives. He was seen drinking from a can of lager.”
Defendant denies using or threatening unlawful violence

Mr MacKenzie, a director in his father’s kitchen and bathroom business, denies using or threatening unlawful violence and will face trial before Teesside Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Nick Woodhouse applied for bail on Mr MacKenzie’s behalf, claiming that he had gone into the centre of Middlesbrough “out of curiosity.”

Mr Woodhouse told the court: “Mr MacKenzie was attempting to leave the centre of town and go back to his car but found his way blocked by a police cordon.

“He was told he would have to walk around two miles back to his vehicle, which would have been made difficult as he suffers from a club foot.”

Mr Woodhouse added that Mr MacKenzie was concerned his family business would fold if he spent further time in jail awaiting trial, but he was remanded in custody.

Also appearing at court was Thomas Rogers, 22, of no fixed address, who hurled rocks at police and yelled: “I hope your kids get raped.”

Mr Rogers was remanded in custody awaiting sentence after he admitted being in possession of an offensive weapon – the rocks – and using or threatening unlawful violence.

The court heard he was in a group of 30 people pelting police during the rioting on Sunday.

He later told officers: “I’m glad I threw the rocks.”
Teen accused of carrying axe

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of carrying an axe during the mayhem. He is charged with unlawful violence and carrying an offensive weapon.

He spoke in court to confirm his date of birth and address. He was accompanied by a dock officer.

He pleaded not guilty to the weapon offence but did not enter a plea to the other charge.

Andrew Livingston, 53, from Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, denied violent disorder and made no plea to a further charge of possessing a 46cm bladed article.

Shaven-headed Mr Livingston, heavily tattooed and wearing a white vest, looked to the ceiling as he was told he would be remanded in custody until Aug 27 when he will appear again before Teesside Crown Court.

District Judge Marie Mallon remanded him in custody while warning people talking in the public gallery they would be removed if they continued to cause disruption.

Connor Stokes, 26, of Thornaby, Teesside, denied unlawful violence and was remanded in custody after the court heard he was a “main participant” in the disorder.

Mr Tame told the court Mr Stokes, who had been wearing a grey tracksuit and black face covering, had been identified by police as one of a group of protestors hurling rocks.

Mr Stokes called “see you in a bit” to his family as he was remanded in custody by District Judge Helen Cousins.
Possession of offensive weapons

Ethan Bowes, 18, blew a kiss to his mother and father as he faced charges of violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons.

The defendant, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, pleaded not guilty to possessing a sharp rock, possession of a sock “containing a heavy object” and violent disorder.

The teen, dressed in a black Nike T-shirt, was told he would be remanded in custody. Judge Mallon said: “These offences are too serious to be held in this court and must be heard at the crown court.”

She told the defendant he must appear on Aug 27 for a preliminary hearing.

Ashley Ferguson, 33, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, is alleged to have waved a pole towards police “in a threatening manner”.

Mr Ferguson pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon and was remanded in custody until Aug 27 when he will appear at a crown court.

Jamie Bullock, 20, appeared before the court accused of having a hand in an incident in which a burning wheelie bin was pushed at police.

He was said to have been involved in the incident, with prosecutor John Garside telling the court the accused had “visited the location wearing gloves and a balaclava”.

Mr Bullock, of 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 Aug 27.
Police ‘resorted to using leg restraints’

Jamie Govan, 26, who allegedly shouted profanities and kicked out at police during the disorder in Middlesbrough, was also remanded in custody. He denied a charge of violent disorder.

Mr Garside said Mr Govan 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”.

Mr Govan “maintains he did nothing wrong”, a district judge was told.

The defendant was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Aug 27.

Lewis Loughlin, 23, of Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody after denying using or threatening unlawful violence in the town’s rioting.

Mr Tame said Mr Loughlin was stopped in a green car which appeared to be involved in the disorder.

Inside they found an empty petrol can, a baseball bat, knives and tools.

Mr Loughlin claimed he was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and had nothing to do with the violence.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Cousins until his next appearance on Aug 27.

Daily Telegraph