Jack Fowler, of Elswick, jailed for violent disorder during the Sunderland riot last year, was behind the wheel of a stolen Land Rover when police tried to pull him over

A road menace who reached 90mph in a 30 zone before writing off two cars has been jailed.

Jack Fowler, jailed last year for his part in a riot in Sunderland, led police on a pursuit which was so dangerous officers repeatedly had to pull out of it for the safety of other road users.

On May 30 last year, he was spotted at the A189 at Moor Farm Roundabout in a Land Rover Discovery which had been stolen from outside a house in Newcastle three days earlier. When police tried to pull it over, its speed increased to more than 100mph.

Fowler refused to pull over and made several dangerous manoeuvres, going through red lights and on the wrong side of the road as he headed towards Gosforth. His driving was so dangerous, officers aborted the pursuit at that stage. A short time later, he was spotted in a bus lane on the Great North Road, doing 90mph in a 30mph zone.

He then crossed onto the opposite carriageway and started driving into oncoming traffic. Such was the danger, police again pulled out of the pursuit.

Another officer then took over and observed Fowler continuing along the Great North Road at twice the speed limit. A pedestrian stepped out to cross the road at one stage and had to quickly step back when they saw the speeding Land Rover approaching.

At Regent Centre, another pedestrian with their back to the car and about the cross the road, fortunately, saw it coming in time.

Then near the Redheugh Bridge, in Newcastle city centre, Fowler forced his way between two cars, pushing them out of the way and causing significant damage to all three vehicles.

Police again ended the pursuit due to the danger it posed to other road users. The Land Rover was later spotted by another officer and was then found abandoned.

Fowler and a passenger had fled on foot with the police helicopter closing in. They were found hiding on a flat roof and were coaxed down. Inside the car, police found a machete and a knife.

The Land Rover, worth £13,670, was written off, as was one of the cars he rammed – a Jaguar worth £2,664, with the owner having to pay out £3,000 for a replacement car. The other car he hit, a Nissan Qashqai sustained £14,768 of damage.

In a victim impact statement, the owner of the Land Rover said they were without a car for four months, which caused particular difficulties as they have four children. The children were also left scared to go to bed in case they were burgled again.

Fowler, 25, formerly of Northbourne Street, Elswick, who has 35 previous convictions, including for violent disorder in Sunderland on August 2 last year, and who is currently serving a four year sentence for drugs offences, admitted dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and possessing a machete and a knife. He was jailed for 22 months but to run alongside the four-year sentence not consecutively to it. He was also banned from driving.

Recorder Andrew Latimer told him: “When you drive this way you are putting yourself at risk and also ordinary members of the public who are never expecting speeding motorists.”

Kate Barnes, defending, said Fowler had a daughter in 2023 and was struggling to adapt to parenthood at the time of the offending. She added: “He has grown up significantly since.

“He is now drug free and has held down important jobs in the prison. This was a period of time when he was not making good decisions.

The Chronical

Nathan Poole was getting his hair cut when he found out about the protest

Dad Nathan Poole has been jailed for his ‘active role’ in the Hanley riots.

The 32-year-old recorded the events on his phone, joined in chants including, ‘You are all f****** nonces’ and, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’, and argued with police

In his police interview the defendant accepted attending the protest, saying it was ‘against the government for f****** them over’.

Now Poole has been jailed for 30 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court following the unrest on August 3, 2024.

Prosecutor Clare Harris said: “Three hundred people took part in the disorder. The Crown’s case is this defendant played an active role, sometimes at the forefront. He showed up at four separate locations, Cannon Place, Lichfield Street, Potteries Way and Town Road.

“In Cannon Place a police cordon was in place to prevent the protesters from entering Shelton. He was recording events on his phone and chanted with the crowd, ‘You are all f****** nonces’. He was outside the town hall where police were present to keep the opposing protesters apart. He was arguing with officers. He was chanting, ‘Scum’, and, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’, towards the counter-protesters. Later in Town Road, the defendant was at the front of the crowd shouting abuse towards police while others were throwing missiles towards the police and counter-protesters.”

In his police interview Poole claimed to have acted lawfully.

Poole, of St Bernard’s Road, Knutton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He works for a tarmac company and leads junior staff.

Martin Bloor, mitigating, said: “He deeply regrets his decision to become involved in this incident. He heard about the protest in a barber’s. He believed it was going to be a peaceful protest. He attended out of curiosity to see what was happening.

“He had no intent to get involved in violence or cause any violence. Unfortunately the incident got out of hand very quickly. A large number of people were involved on both sides. He is a mature man. He should have removed himself from that situation.

“There was no clear evidence that he was physically involved. He did not attack the police. He could not be seen to throw any missiles. He did not damage any property. He knows that by shouting the comments that he made that he was part of that incident and played an active part in that incident.

“He is extremely ashamed at his behaviour. He knows his foolish actions on that day are not only going to impact him, but his family.”

Judge Richard McConaghy found Poole had displayed ‘hostility towards Islam’.

He told the defendant: “The protest took place in and around Town Road and it descended into violence. Police in riot gear attempted to try to keep the peace. But the violence continued. Threats were made with weapons. Some had been brought to the scene, others were picked up there. Missiles such as bricks were thrown. Pieces of wood were picked up and brandished.

“Members of the public and police were injured. Public safety and public order were put under severe threat. You were an active participant. You now accept your presence worsened the situation.

“You were encouraging others. You found your way to the front of the police line. You were abusive and argumentative with police officers while others were throwing missiles over their heads. It is right to say there is no evidence that you threw a missile or that you were an architect of any of the pushing. But you were seen in different locations. You were being bullish and shouted, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’ at the other group.

“The main location was the mosque and your specific chants in relation to Allah made it quite clear your involvement was hostility towards Islam.”

The Sentinel

A man who threw a pole during a city centre riot has kept his freedom.

Cameron Foale hurled the makeshift missile in Sunderland on August 2 last year, where violence mirroring scenes across the UK that summer broke out.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Foale, who was drunk, threw the pole “in the general direction” of a police officer but it did not make contact.

Foale, 21, of Fairgreen Close, Sunderland, admitted violent disorder.

Mr Recorder Brian Whitehead told him: “This was committed in the context of the disorder that spread across the country last year.

“On August 2 last year you, perhaps out of curiosity I don’t know, went along and watched the growing disorder in your area and, being intoxicated, you joined in to the extent you were filmed throwing a pole in the direction of a police officer.

“Thankfully it didn’t make contact.”

Recorder Whitehead said he accepted Foale “probably wouldn’t have done it” were it not for his intoxication, is of previous positive character, young, remorseful and capable of rehabilitation.

Foale was sentenced to eight months, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements.

Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, handed in references, including one from an employer, which spoke of Foale in “glowing terms”.

Miss Allinson-Howells said Foale has caring responsibilities and the impact on others if he were locked up would be “enormous”.

During the widespread trouble that day, that involved hundreds of people, police officers, dogs and horses were pelted with missiles as areas became unsafe for ordinary members of the public.

Police were met with serious levels of violence which left some needing hospital treatment and patrol vehicles needing repair.

The city’s police hub was set on fire and business premises were smashed.

Sunderland Echo

A man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer during rioting last summer.

Anthony Allen, 43, pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer on a night of unrest in Hartlepool on 31 July 2024, one of several nights of disturbances across the country in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Allen, of Ormesby Road, Hartlepool, was cleared of taking part in the violent disorder by a jury in August.

He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge at Teesside Crown Court on Friday.

BBC News

A man who hurled missiles at police during violent disorder in Rotherham was caught on CCTV buying beer shortly after the attack.

Jack Knight, 21, Bolton-upon-Dearne, was recorded throwing various missiles at police officers while wearing a balaclava to hide his identity, a court heard.

CCTV later then captured Knight purchasing a crate of beer from a nearby store during which he took his face covering off.

A social media appeal identified Knight and following his arrest a search of his house was conducted.

Analysis of a phone seized from the 21-year-old’s home included evidence of his offending.

This included messages placing Knight at the disorder, banking app transactions matching to the time Knight was seen purchasing beer and photos from outside the hotel.

Knight was charged with violent disorder.

After pleading guilty to the charge, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for two years, as well as a 50-day rehabilitation order.

Yorkshire Post

Callum Armstrong, of Seaham, admitted violent disorder for his role in the widespread disorder in Sunderland last August

A man who threw a can of beer towards two people during a riot which brought shame on Sunderland has been locked up.

Callum Armstrong is the latest person to be sentenced over the disgraceful disorder that broke out in the city last August.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he was seen on CCTV, wearing a white polo shirt and black shorts, with two other men. They then joined a large crowd who were walking along John Street.

Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said Armstrong was drinking from a can of beer as he walked along. He added that there was audio of jeering and one of the group shouted a racial slur and a missiles were thrown by some of those in the crowd.

Armstrong threw his can of beer towards two men who were just inside an open window and it struck the window sill. Mr Perks said: “It was an attempted assault on members of the public with a weapon.”

Armstrong, 25, of Frederick St, Seaham, County Durham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Jailing him for 12 months, Recorder Adam Vaitilingham KC said his behaviour had contributed to inciting others to more serious offending. He told him: “It may be you weren’t involved in direct attacks on the police but your actions encouraged other people.

“It was a protest that turned into widespread public disorder with a huge amount of damage caused to buildings, shops and police vehicles. Police officers were injured and it was terrifying for anyone who might have been caught up in what was persistent and widespread public disorder.”

The judge said that while Armstrong was a “hard-working young man who had barely been in trouble” and had positive references, only immediate custody could be justified.

Helen Towers, defending, said: “His role is peripheral and he has expressed remorse and has insight into the effect on the community.

“He is of previous good character. This was bravado. He has no animosity towards the police.

“It was seconds of very poor decision making but was peripheral to the wider disorder. He is full of shame and will do anything to repay the community that he damaged.”

The Chronicle

A man who helped stoke a fire outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for nine years.

Matthew Crossland, 32, was filmed throwing planks of wood and bricks at police and the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August last year.

Footage later showed him adding wood to one of the fires that had been set around the building by some of the 400 anti-immigration protesters.

Crossland, of Everill Gate Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life, was handed one of the longest sentences in connection with the Manvers riot at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

A second man, Jack Knight, has been spared jail “by the skin of your teeth”.

The 21-year-old had been caught on video “taunting” officers by running a large stick along their shields and throwing missiles, including stones, at the police line.

‘Baleful upbringing’

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said: “You have truly endured what may be described as a hardscrabble life so far. The [pre-sentence] report makes it clear what happened to you as a youngster, and I understand.”

The details of Knight’s upbringing were not disclosed in court, but Judge Richardson described them as “baleful”.

Knight, of The Crescent, Bolton-upon-Dearne, was handed a 20-month sentence suspended for two years along with 50 sessions of rehabilitation activity and must return to court for periodic reviews by the judge.

“We all need boundaries, and the problem with your life is there haven’t been any,” Judge Richardson said.

He told him there would be no further chances, adding: “Justice, on occasion, needs to be seasoned with mercy.”

BBC News

Matthew Crossland, 32, was jailed for nine years after he fuelled a fire set outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

A 32-year-old man who fuelled a fire set outside a hotel housing more than 200 asylum seekers has been given a sentence which equals the longest handed down following the rioting in August 2024.

Matthew Crossland was jailed for nine years when he was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, South Yorkshire Police confirmed.

The force said Crossland was caught on CCTV throwing planks of wood and bricks at both the hotel and officers protecting the Holiday Inn Express, in Rotherham, on August 4 last year.

Body worn footage from officers inside the hotel captured Crossland’s abusive behaviour as he launched missiles towards police.

A spokesman said Crossland was finally captured adding wood to a fire before removing a face covering he had worn to attempt to conceal his identity.

Crossland, of Everill Gate Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life.

More than 100 men have now been convicted for their role in the mob violence outside the hotel, which was besieged for around 12 hours.

Police officers and the hotel itself were pelted with missiles as more than 200 asylum seekers and 22 staff were trapped inside.

At one point, the rioters smashed their way into the building and a burning wheelie-bin was pushed against a fire door.

A total of 64 officers were injured in the violence along with police horses and a dog.

Two other men – Thomas Birley, 27, and Levi Fishlock, 31 – have also been jailed for nine years at Sheffield Crown Court for similar offending to Crossland in relation to the fire outside the hotel.

Evening Standard

Daniel Kirtley has become the latest person to be jailed after widespread violent disorder broke out in Sunderland last August

A man who was with a group of “thugs with a mob mentality” who clashed with police protecting a mosque has been jailed.

Daniel Kirtley attended Sunderland city centre out of “curiosity” on August 2 last year as a protest turned into a riot which brought shame on the city and left police with a bill of £1.5m.

A court heard Kirtley was identified as participating in the widespread disorder on a series of pieces of footage. This included joining a group who had headed towards a mosque.

While some people squared up to police, Kirtley could be seen standing in front of officers. Michael Bunch, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court the police line tried to advance three times and officers had to push Kirtley back.

Mr Bunch said: “The first two times, he immediately returned to the his position in the line. The third time, he was pulled back by another member of the crowd.

“He could then be seen further down the road, bending down and picking up a missile which he threw towards the police line.” Kirtley, who had been drinking, said he had been with two cousins and headed to the city centre after seeing others heading that way.

Mr Bunch said: “He said he had been talking to the police when an officer used his shield to knock him to the floor. That’s not captured on the footage.

“He said he was angered by that and picked up a brick, which he threw. He said he threw it deliberately high so it didn’t hit anyone. He said he wished he hadn’t done that act.”

In an impact statement, Northumbria Police said they had submitted a claim for £1.5m to the Home Office.

Kirtley, 35, of Lyndhurst Terrace, Sunderland, who has nine previous convictions but nothing since he was a youth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for 16 months.

A judge asked Mr Bunch if the police were there to protect the mosque. He said that was the intention, although it was not in the “immediate vicinity” and there was no evidence Kirtley was motivated by hostility based on religious beliefs.

He added that officers were concerned the mosque was the “direction of travel given the movement of the people towards that street”. Mr Bunch said: “It was more a matter of concern that was the ultimate aim. There’s nothing to say that this defendant had that in mind.”

Kirtley pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was jailed for 16 months. Recorder Caroline Sellars told him the disorder he joined in was “carried out by thugs with mob mentality” and said a deterrent sentence was necessary.

Jason Smith, defending, said Kirtley’s involvement was “limited”. He told the court he had been sitting with his cousins when he saw lots of people going past and attended the scene out of “curiosity”, having noticed on social media that a protest was taking place.

Mr Smith added: “He stupidly attended because he had been drinking. He is a confirmed alcoholic. He attended to see what the event was all about.

“He deeply regrets that he became involved. He has shown extreme remorse.”

Chronicle Live

Stuart Polley, of Washington, has been jailed for three years and four months for taking part in a riot in Sunderland city centre last August

A rioter who “brought shame” on an England flag and Sunderland was reprimanded for laughing as he was jailed.

Stuart Polley was caught on camera participating in widespread disorder while wearing a pink shirt with a St George’s flag draped over his shoulders.

A court heard his criminality involved throwing a piece of metal fencing towards a police van and breaking up a wooden bench to produce further missiles. As the wider facts of what happened in Sunderland city centre on August 2 last year were outlined by prosecutors, Polley was told off by Judge Amanda Rippon near the start of the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court for his reaction in the dock.

She told his barrister: “I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to read the riot act to your client, who’s laughing and seems to think it’s funny. If I come back and he is anything other than a statue in the dock I will read him the riot act, and I use that term quite deliberately and any person in the public gallery who he is engaging with, I will remove.”

Laura Miller, defending, later explained that Polley had not expected the wider facts of what happened to be outlined as he was not directly responsible for those. She said his reaction was shock rather than amusement.

Neil Pallister, prosecuting, told the court of Polley’s involvement: “The defendant was identified as an individual who participated in acts of disorder. He was captured in a series of pieces of footage.

“He was first seen on camera drinking and milling around with others on Keel Square. He has an England flag on his shoulders.

“As disorder breaks out, he was seen near the Empire theatre at the front of a crowd who were confronting officers in protective equipment. He and others were seen pushing a picnic table towards a police van.

“The defendant returned to the same vehicle a short time later. He was dragging a piece of metal fencing and throwing it towards the vehicle. Not content to leave matters there, he was seen to break up a wooden bench, no doubt to obtain further missiles.”

When he was interviewed, he said he attended to show support for the protest and had three or four pints beforehand. He admitted being in the crowd but but said he played no part in the violent acts.

When shown the CCTV of what he had done, he said he had no memory of doing it.

Polley has four previous convictions, including an arson attack for which he was jailed in 2018 after setting fire to a house in revenge, blaming the absent occupier for the death of his cousin.

For the latest offence, he pleaded guilty to riot and was jailed for three years and eight months. Judge Rippon told him: “You were present at what was a planned event and mirroring what had occurred in other cities and towns over a few days you, together with others, brought shame on Sunderland. For no justifiable reason whatsoever, you and others gathered in the city to participate in an orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder.

“Your pink shirt was readily identifiable in footage, over which you draped an England flag, which you wore as you rioted and brought shame on that flag.”

Laura Miller, defending, said Polley is remorseful for what he did. She added: “He has expressed that he is ashamed of his actions. He called his behaviour on the footage absolutely ridiculous.”

She added that those close to him say he is kind, caring and compassionate and a good role model.

Chronicle Live