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Tag Archives: Middlesbrough

Stacey Vint jailed for violent disorder

By
August 9, 2024
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The judge says that the offences are aggravated by the fact that they were committed in public areas where children were present. Bullock was wearing a balaclava to hide his identity.

The judge says:

Stacey Vint – you have not had an easy life. Your life has been blighted by drugs and alcohol. I accept that you had no racist motivation to commit this offence.

Charlie Bullock – I have read the pre-sentence report prepared about you. You accept responsibility for your actions that day. I recognise that you are vulnerable with ADHD and you had not taken your medication.

You both chose to take part in an organised and large scale act of public disorder. Police officers were injured. Police vehicles were damaged and there was large scale damage to public buildings and motor cars.

The community in Middlesbrough are rightly outraged by this behaviour. Only a custodial sentence can be justified.

Vint is caged for 20 months.

Bullock locked up for 18 months.

Company director sobs as he appears in court over alleged role in Middlesbrough riots

By
August 6, 2024
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Joe MacKenzie is one of 28 people in the dock at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in connection with the disorder on Sunday

Joe MacKenzie Joe MacKenzie was 'arrested on suspicion of throwing items, attacking police throughout the day and shouting expletives'

Joe MacKenzie
Joe MacKenzie was ‘arrested on suspicion of throwing items, attacking police throughout the day and shouting expletives’

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

Middlesbrough riot accused in court including woman who pushed burning wheelie bin into police

By
August 6, 2024
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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.

Chronicle Live

Frankenstein mask man pleads guilty to Michael Cash spray paint attack

By
October 10, 2018
Uncategorized

A MAN who launched a spray paint attack on homeless man Michael Cash has today been sentenced to an 18 month community order.

Aaron Jones, of Balmoral Road, Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court today to face charges of common assault and criminal damage following the attack early last month.

The 33-year-old, who turned up for the hearing with his face hidden by a child’s Frankenstein mask, pleaded guilty to both charges.

Michael Cash, 32, was found dead in a cemetery three days after the assault which happened near Tesco Express in Normanby High Street, Middlesbrough.

Chairman of the bench Stephen Walker sentenced Jones to 18 month community order, 180 hours unpaid work and 20 hours of rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to pay £85 court cost, £85 victim surcharge and £100 compensation for the damage.

He said: “We have put this in the highest category of common assault, the reason being is that if the aggravating factors – it was a targeted attack with an element of premedication. He was a vulnerable victim and it was shared on social media.”

Cleveland Police said Mr Cash’s death was not treated as suspicious and was not connected with anything which happened on September 9 outside the store.

Police officers attended court today in case of a disturbance in the public gallery.
Northern Echo

Attacker staged bogus 21st birthday bash in bid to escape justice

By
September 17, 2018
Uncategorized

A CUNNING rogue staged a bogus 21st birthday bash in a staggering bid to cheat the law and escape justice.

Geoffrey Leigh Ewart went to extraordinary lengths to wriggle out of trouble for a Middlesbrough street brawl.

He faked his own 21st birthday party and falsified photographs to prove his arrest was a case of mistaken identity.

He tried to make the camera lie with pictures showing himself wearing a 21st birthday badge and blowing out candles on a 21st birthday cake.

The snaps were really taken 18 months or more after his real 21st birthday celebrations.

His audacious but doomed attempt to pull the wool over the courts’ eyes backfired spectacularly with a long prison sentence yesterday.

A well-timed pub refurb and detective work rumbled Ewart’s elaborate deception.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Ewart, now 24, was caught in a melee near Albert Bridge at about 2.15am on September 26, 2008.

Five police officers identified him from CCTV footage as the man headbutting and kicking another unidentified man for no apparent reason.

When interviewed Ewart said he wasn’t there and “it didn’t even look like me”.

He produced the photographs which he claimed would prove his innocence – some supposedly taken around his 21st birthday in May 2007, months before the street fight.

They showed him with a tattoo on his right arm – unlike the man in the CCTV film.

CPS prosecutor Alexander Menary said: “It is meant to say, ‘This couldn’t have been me because my tattoo would have been shown, because here I am on these photographs with it on May 2007’.”

The scam was undone with police inquiries at the Norman Conquest pub in Normanby, where the “birthday” pictures were taken.

The pub owner said the photos must have been taken after refurbishments, which took place after Ewart’s fight.

Other photographs were doctored with dates superimposed on to them.

Ewart, of Grisedale Crescent, Grangetown, admitted affray and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He also admitted an unprovoked actual bodily harm assault on a man at the Garage pub on January 16, 2009.

He repeatedly punched Ryan Leopard-Sheffield leaving him with cuts, bruises and a chipped tooth.

The judge, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford, saw it was Ewart’s subterfuge which earned him the jail term rather than the violence.

He said: “I’m afraid this was not the panicked reaction of somebody giving a false name to the police station.

“It was a pre-meditated, determined and well-planned attack on the court process. It involved the manufacture of evidence. It was persisted in.”

He said it was sinister that Ewart’s solicitors were given the names of people in the photographs to seek statements backing up his lies.

“It’s plain to me that to have any chance of success this scheme would have had to have involved persuading those individuals to give false evidence to say that that was your 21st birthday party.

“In fact, as we know now, it must have been staged at a later point.

“It has been said many times that the court process must be protected,” added the judge.

“And you transformed what was a case involving two bad enough incidents of violence into something more serious.”

Ewart, who had only one previous conviction, was jailed for two-and-a-half years, his first prison sentence, including 18 months for the deception.

Jonathan Walker, defending, said: “It appears to be a fairly determined attempt to warp the smooth running of the criminal justice system.

“The ill-judged stupidity started to unravel when he approached members of his family who quite properly refused to become involved in their son’s folly.

“It became abundantly clear that this was an ill-judged attempt to ramp up what he believed was a proper defence.”

He added Ewart apologised for his “drunken and thuggish activities”, was not inherently violent and had not been violent in the last 18 months.

Ewart was otherwise amiable, industrious, hard-working with strong family support and character references.

Mr Walker said on the day of the 2008 affray Ewart had been to the funeral of a friend whom he had found dead.
Gazette Live

From 2010.

Drink driver who left teen girls seriously injured after horror seaside smash is sentenced

By
September 17, 2018
Uncategorized

Geoffrey Ewart, from Grangetown, left one girl scarred for life after bombing around Scarborough in a BMW 330

Geoff Ewart appeared at York Crown Court to admit a dangerous driving charge

Geoff Ewart appeared at York Crown Court to admit a dangerous driving charge

A banned drink-driver who seriously injured two teenage girls in a seaside horror crash has been jailed.

Geoffrey Ewart, from Grangetown, bombed around Scarborough in a BMW 330 when the car careered off the road and tumbled down a steep embankment.

The 30-year-old – who ignored his passengers’ frantic pleas to stop – ran from the wrecked vehicle, leaving the two girls trapped inside.

Prosecutor Andrew Semple said one of them suffered catastrophic injuries including broken bones and was left immobile for weeks.

Mr Semple said the car, which had come off its wheels, had £12,500 of damage in the smash on Castle Road on June 24 last year.

Police found Ewart at a nearby taxi rank at about 1am.

Ewart, of Grisedale Crescent, was breathalysed three hours later by which time his alcohol level had dipped, but experts worked out that at the time of the accident he would have been about one-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

The offshore oil rigger admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle-taking, drink-driving, having no insurance and driving while disqualified.

Ewart once faked own 21st birthday party to evade justice

York Crown Court heard that the BMW belonged to Ewart’s father and that his son had taken it without his consent before setting off for Scarborough.

After picking up his passengers, he began to drive “very fast”.

Mr Semple said: “One of the girls said her head was forced back into the seat by his speed.”

He rejected their pleas to let them out before the car left the road and clattered through bushes as it rolled down the embankment.

The older girl suffered a broken shoulder and fractured pelvis.

Her injuries were so serious she was transferred to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where she underwent several operations, had two blood transfusions and remained bed-bound for three weeks.

It was another six weeks before she could move without a wheelchair or crutches.

She was left scarred for life with a 14cm injury on her arm.

The younger girl suffered whiplash injuries and had to undergo 10 weeks of physio.

Scarborough crash followed ‘night of sheer stupidity and madness’

Ewart had three convictions including one for violence and perverting the course of justice in 2010, when he was jailed for punching a man repeatedly during a street brawl in Middlesbrough.

Ewart tried to evade justice on that occasion by faking his own 21st birthday party and using falsified photos from the pub ‘shindig’ in a forlorn attempt to convince police he was elsewhere at the time of the incident.

Following his release from prison in December 2014, he was caught drink-driving and given a 12-month ban.

Ewart’s barrister James Kemp said the horror crash in Scarborough followed a “night of sheer stupidity and madness”.

But Judge Richard Wright QC slammed Ewart for his “dangerous, show-off” driving and “callous” decision to leave the girls in the car as he fled the scene.

“You have shown little or no remorse towards your victims,” he added.

Ewart was jailed for two years and eight months, and given a five-year driving ban.

Gazette Live

From 2016.

‘I’m not right wing’ claims knuckleduster-carrying man with EDL neck tattoo

By
July 29, 2016
Uncategorized

But Cleveland Police questioned in court over claims Mark Trippett was only stopped because he had a far-right group’s shirt on

Mark Trippett, 35, of Carisbrooke Avenue, Middlesbrough, stopped by police and found carrying a knuckleduster

Mark Trippett, 35, of Carisbrooke Avenue, Middlesbrough, stopped by police and found carrying a knuckleduster

A man wearing a T-shirt seemingly proclaiming him to be a far-right group’s “soldier” was nicked after police caught him with a £1.50 knuckleduster.

Officers stopped Middlesbrough’s Mark Trippett while he was wearing a “right wing” North East Infidels shirt.

However, Trippett – who has EDL tattooed on his neck – insist he doesn’t share their views.

And he’s been spared prison for carrying the knuckleduster after a judge heard there was “no reason” to stop him, other than for his shirt.

Police used stop and search powers as Trippett walked along Corporation Road in Middlesbrough on July 16.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday that he had forgotten it was there.

“He said he didn’t intend on using it and it was a daft mistake,” added the probation service.

He handed the knuckleduster straight to police, with his solicitor adding it had been a “serene” incident.

“There were no threats to police and he handed the weapon straight over,” he said.

“Perhaps it was a macho thing at the time, and it wasn’t thought through.”

Trippett, 35, of Carisbrooke Avenue, Thorntree, had been wearing the North East Infidels shirt – emblazoned with the word “soldier” – when he was arrested.

The group marched alongside EDL and National Front members in Stockton last year.

The Teesside branch claim on Facebook the group is a “family”, but in court they were dubbed “right wing”.

However, Judge Martin Walker questioned if Cleveland Police had simply targeted him because of his shirt, with the court hearing there had been “no disorder” in the area to warrant stop and search laws being deployed.

Tracksuit-clad Trippett had pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, which he claimed he’d bought for £1.50.

Judge Walker warned the offence would almost always carry a jail term.

But he instead handed him a one-year community order, but not without dishing out a dressing down.

“Certainly (the knuckleduster) is only used to cause serious harm to another human being,” added Judge Walker.

“That is what the knuckleduster is for – to enhance the power of the fist.”

Cleveland Police declined to comment. The weapon will be destroyed.

Gazette Live

Armed raider threatened to shoot Middlesbrough shop assistant

By
April 21, 2015
assault, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed

Kenneth Graham demanded cash from the terrified Middlesbrough assistant warning her: “I’ve got a gun and I’ll shoot you”

Kenneth Graham

A robber who held up a late night store telling the terrified, lone assistant “I’ve got a gun” was jailed for three years.

Kenneth Graham, 21, arrived at the Premier shop in Middlesbrough on his bike at 9.30pm as assistant Ann Wilson was outside taking a cigarette break.

As she went behind the counter to serve him he demanded she hand over the money saying: “I’ve got a gun and I’ll shoot you”.

He was standing in front of her with his right hand inside his jacket rummaging around for something.

Prosecutor Rachel Masters told Teesside Crown Court that Miss Wilson started to panic and she hit the wrong button on the till, but eventually she took out a handful of £5 and £10 notes.

Graham, who was wearing gloves, said ‘Don’t you dare touch your phone’ and he left returning immediately to repeat ‘Don’t use your phone.”

Miss Masters added: “She was crying uncontrollably thinking that he had a gun.

“She saw a man at the cash machine and he called the police. Graham was identified as a possible suspect and he was positively identified soon after.

“She said later that she recognised him as the robber of the store having known him in the area where she lived.

“The incident left her extremely upset and scared, worrying if the person knew her and came back.

“She said ‘I feel sick about the whole incident’. When she was going to be a witness she asked for special measures.

“She said ‘I’m suffering panic attacks. I have been receiving regular support from the Victim Support network. I am struggling to do my work but it’s something I have to do because I need the money to pay my bills.”

Graham had 16 convictions for 29 offences including drugs,assault theft and burglary.

Jim Withyman, defending, said that Graham came from a respectable family but he had been threatened over a drug debt after he turned to drugs while mourning the deaths of two close friends.

He said that Graham, whose parents were in court supporting him, wished to apologise through him to Miss Wilson for the terror and upset he caused to her.

Judge Michael Taylor told Grham: “She is finding it very difficult to come to terms with what happened.

“People like her perform a valuable serviced to the public, and the message has got to out that those who commit these sort of offences will always received substantial prison sentences.

“You said that you had a gun and she was not to know whether you had one.”

Graham, of Ottawa Road,Middlesbrough, was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to the November 3 robbery of the store on Longlands Road, Middlesbrough.

Gazette Live

He was jailed last year for his role in the EDL rioting at the Birmingham demo in 2013. More info here.

Middlesbrough former boxer jailed for 11 years for attack which ‘detached upper part of man’s face’

By
December 2, 2014
Uncategorized

Stuart Peter Leyshon, 35, pummelled a man as he lay defenceless in a friend’s home in the early morning.

Boxer

A former amateur boxer whose powerful blows broke a man’s face as he slept on a sofa was jailed today for 11 years.

Stuart Peter Leyshon, 35, pummelled a man as he lay defenceless in a friend’s home in the early morning.

The attack devastated the victim’s life, leaving him disabled, missing his left cheekbone and in constant pain.

The horrific multiple fractures “detached” the upper part of his face, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Doctors warned him he could die if hit again – and the depressed victim later felt he should have died in the assault.

Leyshon climbed in through the living room window of an Eston home and launched the attack on the sleeping man.

The vulnerable victim was found coughing up blood and blood pouring from him. One witness was sick after seeing the injuries.

Prosecutor Adrian Dent said: “He’d been hit so hard that his face had been fractured and those blows had detached the upper jaw on the left side from the surrounding facial bones.

“His teeth were virtually down his throat, his airway was compromised and he was, in effect, gargling his own blood.”

Meanwhile the assailant was “bouncing around” saying: “I didn’t even hit him that hard.”

Leyshon had walked to the home on Bankfields Road, Eston – on the same terrace as his own – and attacked the sleeping man after learning that his brother had a “run-in” with him.

A witness heard four thumping sounds outside after Leyshon crept in between 8 and 8.45am on August 31 last year.

The victim of the assault, who had no memory of the violence, had multiple facial fractures and underwent a five-hour operation at James Cook University Hospital.

Surgeons put wire into his face and fixed the damaged bone with six titanium plates. He will need further surgery.

After the attack, Leyshon “transformed himself” and misled paramedics claiming he had simply found the man in his badly injured state, said Mr Dent.

He persisted in these lies to police, saying he tried to help the stricken victim and did not assault him.

Mr Dent said Leyshon portrayed himself as a “hero” in a later defence statement.

Leyshon said he administered first aid as he was a trained fireman and helped the paramedics carry a stretcher.

The attacker, now of Appletree Gardens, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, began a trial denying causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He changed his story, admitting he had lied and was responsible for the injuries, but claimed self defence, alleging the victim swung punches at him.

After the opening of the trial he changed his mind and finally admitted the serious assault.

A jury formally found him guilty following his own confession to the crime.

His previous convictions included assaulting a PC.

Robert Mochrie, defending, said Leyshon was “terrified” of his first prison sentence.

He said the defendant apologised to the victim for his “totally unacceptable” actions and the level of injury he caused.

He said Leyshon had been horrified, scared and reluctant to face up to the consequences of his behaviour.

He told how Leyshon reacted inexcusably to news of a “fracas” involving his brother.

Leyshon was a boxer in his teens but since had mental health difficulties and was in no fit state to train for the ring, added Mr Mochrie.

He also said Leyshon’s mother was terminally ill with cancer and he expected to lose her while he was in prison.

Judge Deborah Sherwin said Leyshon lost his temper after hearing of a minor incident and left his home to “extract his revenge”.

And with the powerful legacy of his boxing career, he struck blows which were “forceful in the extreme” – equal to the use of a weapon.

“Those blows caused devastating injuries,” she told him.

“The effect on him has been devastating. He’s been left permanently disabled as a result of these injuries.

“He will feel its effects for many years to come.”

She jailed Leyshon for 11 years and gave him an indefinite restraining order banning him from approaching or contacting the victim.

Speaking after the hearing Temporary Detective Sergeant Helen Wilson from Cleveland Police said: “Firstly I would like to pay tribute to the victim and his family who have shown great dignity and bravery throughout this traumatic episode.

“I welcome the sentence issued today. This reflects the severity of this attack on a sleeping man, one which led to horrific facial injuries.

“Leyshon will have a good deal of time whilst in prison to reflect on what he has done and I hope the victim and his family can now begin to rebuild their lives.”

Gazette Live

From one of his Facebook accounts:-

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Man arrested during Middlesbrough EDL march is given conditional discharge

By
September 3, 2014
EDL, English Defence League, threatening behaviour

Jamie Ray, 26, was sentenced for a charge of drunk and disorderly after being arrested during EDL protest in June

A man who was arrested during an English Defence League protest has been given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Jamie Ray appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 27, where he was sentenced for a charge of drunk and disorderly – an offence he was arrested for during an EDL protest in June.

The 26-year-old, of Park Road North, Middlesbrough, was also charged with two counts of failing to surrender to custody at court – on July 28 and July 23 – using threatening or abusive words or behaviour and possessing a Class B drug – both on July 9.

A charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place was withdrawn.

As previously reported about 350 people took part in a demonstration on Corporation Road, Middlesbrough town centre, while a further 150 people took part in a counter demonstration, both on June 28.

More than 300 police officers were involved in an operation during the march and counter demonstration, which had been planned for a number of months.

Ray was one of two men arrested on the day.

The other – Andrew David Johnson, 37, of Moorcock Close, Eston – previously pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £35 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

However, Ray initially failed to turn up to court following his arrest. A warrant without bail was then issued for his arrest.

Gazette Live