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A man who threw rocks at police during a riot in Staffordshire in the summer, telling one officer he would “bite his face off”, has been jailed for three years.

Martin McCluskey was filmed verbally abusing the officer before footage also showed him throwing missiles at officers, during trouble in Tamworth in August.

The 60-year-old, of Manor Road, Tamworth, previously admitted violent disorder and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, at Stafford Crown Court.

Asst Ch Con Stuart Ellison, of Staffordshire Police, said officers faced “acts of mindless criminality and violence” in the riot, during which petrol bombs were thrown and attempts made to torch a hotel housing asylum seekers.

BBC News

A man who threw rocks at police and told an officer he would ‘bite his face off’ has admitted his part in a Staffordshire riot. Martin McCluskey, 60, was seen on footage repeatedly challenging officers who were on the frontline in the violent disorder in Tamworth on August 4.

McCluskey approached an officer and told him he would ‘bite his face off’ before launching rocks at him. Stafford Crown Court heard he continued to walk up and down the police line, shouting abuse and launching missiles.

The officer he threw the rocks at was also hit with a bicycle that was thrown in his direction. Despite wearing a public order helmet, the officer still suffered bruising and reddening to his face because of what happened. He was also doused in petrol.

McCluskey also kicked a glass bottle at an officer, causing it to shatter against the officer’s shin. The defendant was arrested after he was identified by detectives.

He went on to plead guilty to violent disorder and two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker. McClusky, of Bolehall, Tamworth, was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at the same court on October 30.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison said: “McCluskey’s actions clearly reflect what the brave officers were faced with that day: acts of mindless criminality and violence with no regard for those trying to keep people safe.

“Our officers showed immeasurable courage in the face of the violence to carry out their duties and keep the public safe from harm. These officers are people living in local communities, with families and friends of their own. They, along with local residents, did not deserve what happened to them.

“We will never tolerate acts of aggression towards officers or members of our communities. McCluskey will be serving time behind bars for his actions, and those who committed similar acts will meet the same fate once our detectives find out who they are.”

MSN

Cameron Bell admitted a charge of violent disorder at Stafford Crown Court and now faces an ‘inevitable’ custodial sentence.

Six men and two women, including a care worker who broadcast a violent protest on social media, were remanded in custody after appearing in connection with disorder in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on August 4.

Stafford Crown Court was told Cameron Bell, who has no previous convictions, accepted her guilt on a charge of violent disorder “on the understanding that she was present and live-streamed the matter to her TikTok account”.

Bell, 24, from Tamworth, admitted a single count of violent disorder on Tuesday and was remanded in custody for sentencing in the week commencing October 28 after being told a jail sentence was inevitable.

She appeared in the dock alongside her partner Kyle Barber, also from Tamworth, whose case was adjourned until October 8.

Barber, 24, was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of violent disorder and was remanded in custody.

Mitchell Cleaver, 25, of Burton-on-Trent, appeared jointly via videolink from HMP Dovegate along with Martin McCluskey, 60, from Tamworth.

Cleaver, wearing a vest, admitted a charge of riot relating to events in Tamworth on August 4, where a hotel containing housing asylum seekers was set on fire, and will be sentenced on October 30.

McCluskey admitted violent disorder and pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Judge John Edwards ordered a psychological assessment to be carried out on Cleaver, who has serious learning difficulties and was caught on police drone footage, before sentencing on November 11.

The judge ordered McCluskey to remain in custody until sentencing on October 30.

Tommy McQuaker, 29, of Amington in Tamworth, made a separate videolink appearance from HMP Dovegate.

He admitted violent disorder and pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog, with prosecutors accepting the latter charge should not be proceeded with.

Adjourning McQuaker’s case to November 8, Judge Edwards told him: “I will accede to your barrister’s request for a pre-sentence report but please don’t take it from that that your sentence will be anything other than one of prison.”

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, is accused of riot and assaulting a female police officer.

He admitted assault but pleaded not guilty to riot on the grounds he does not accept having a common purpose with others present at the scene.

His case was adjourned for trial in the week commencing January 20.

No pleas were taken from Darren Woodley, 55, also from Tamworth and also charged with violent disorder. He was remanded in custody until next Monday.

Last to appear before the same judge was Aimie Hodgkinson-Hedgecox, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The 37-year-old, from Rugeley, was said to have had “somewhat limited” involvement in the disorder and will reappear for sentence in custody in the week beginning November 4.

Evening Standard