Sunderland rioters jailed at Newcastle Crown Court
Sentencing of riot offenders is continuing - with the Prime Minister insisting the quick convictions are deterring further violence.
Last updated 9th Aug 2024
A balaclava-wearing rioter identified by his distinctive tattoos has been jailed for two-and-a-half years over disturbances in Sunderland.
Josh Kellett, also known as Josh Major, was seen on police drone footage throwing stones at officers four times in 45 seconds.
The 29-year-old, of Southcroft, Washington, was identified by an anonymous member of the public who watched a live stream of the riot and contacted police to say they recognised a person who was throwing items at police.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Kellett was arrested the next day at his home and the clothing and balaclava he was wearing in the footage were recovered. He later pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Sentencing Kellett, Judge Paul Sloan KC, the Recorder of Newcastle, said he could be seen in footage "revelling in the mayhem".
Kellett nodded as his sentence was passed.
Meanwhile, a woman who repeatedly pushed industrial bins at a police line during riots in Sunderland has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Leanne Hodgson, 43, of Holborn Road, Sunderland, also deliberately ran into an officer and used offensive language during the disorder on August 2.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that when police saw her early in the evening she was "clearly under influence of alcohol and shouting abuse at officers".
Later on, an officer described Hodgson "running straight at him and colliding with him". He said it was "clearly a deliberate act" and when he looked at her afterwards she was "laughing and pointing at him".
The defendant was identified by police from videos on social media, where she was seen pushing industrial bins towards police, picking up a glass bottle and motioning as if to throw it at officers, and breaking bricks on the ground before throwing them into the crowd to be used as missiles. The court heard she also threw an object at a parked police vehicle, smashing the windscreen.
After Hodgson was arrested the next day, police learned she had tried to buy a balaclava from the post office earlier.
In mitigation, the court heard she has "mental health difficulties exacerbated by alcohol problems" and was "ashamed of her actions".
Also, a man who was bitten by a police dog after throwing a can at police officers during riots in Sunderland has been jailed for 26 months.
Andrew Smith, 41, of High Street East, Sunderland, was at the centre of a crowd wearing all black with his hood up during the protest that soon turned into violent disorder on August 2, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
A judge was told that when police told the crowd to move back, the defendant started moving backwards slowly before taking a bag containing a can of alcohol from his pocket and throwing it at officers.
He was bitten by a police dog and taken to the ground, resisting throughout as he was being arrested, it was said.
In mitigation, the court heard alcohol misuse was "clearly the source of his difficulty" and he was "ashamed of what he did to his own community".
And a 21-year-old who posted videos of himself "roaring encouragement" at rioters in Sunderland to his own Instagram account has been jailed for two years.
Bradley Makin, of Simonside Road, Springwell, Sunderland, shared multiple clips of the disorder on August 2, including metal beer kegs and poles being thrown at police.
Newcastle Crown Court was told he could be heard in the footage encouraging other males to carry out disorder, shouting "go on" and "every f** window, come on".
In one clip, a man is seen throwing a beer keg at officers and Makin, who was wearing all black with his hood up and the bottom half of his face covered, is heard to say "go man, it's the Olympics".
The court heard Makin was identified by his Instagram username and arrested at his home by officers who found him asleep in his bedroom with a bag of brown powder, and one of white powder, next to him.
He pleaded guilty to violent disorder as well as possession of cocaine and heroin.
In mitigation, the court heard he "didn't intend to get involved" and posted the videos, not as encouragement but to "let people know what was going on".
Christopher Atkinson, of CPS North East, said: “Only a week ago in Sunderland, those sentenced today were part of a small minority of people involved in shameful mob violence on the streets of the city.
“The cumulative effect of that disorder was to create immeasurable fear for Sunderland residents and cause significant damage to local businesses.
“As a result of their actions, each of them now faces a significant jail sentence and a criminal record that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
“I would like to praise the excellent work of Northumbria Police in dealing with this disorder. Their officers effectively tackled the immediate situation while also securing key evidence against multiple offenders, which has helped us to build particularly robust cases against each of those involved.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with our partners across the criminal justice system, responding swiftly and robustly to activity which poses a threat to those living in the communities that we serve.
“We’ve been extremely clear; we stand ready to secure convictions against anyone found to have broken the law as part of these appalling scenes of violence, chaos and unrest.”
Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner issued this statement:
“Today’s sentencing serves as a brilliant warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with this hate-filled criminality in our region. Just think again because Northumbria Police will be coming after you and you will be following in the footsteps of people like this – racist thugs who have brought harm and fear to our communities. Good to see they are rightly getting locked up and investigations are happening around the clock so many more will be identified and will be following in their footsteps, watch this space.”
Elsewhere - three more men have been convicted of their part in the disorder in Sunderland, and will be sentenced next week.
Dean Groenewald, 32, of no fixed abode, and Paul Williams, 45, of Esdale, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Liam Doeg, 33, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, admitted violent disorder and burglary.
All three men have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday August 15.
Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police's major investigation team, said: "This is another brilliant result in our investigation, bringing our total number of convictions to nine.
"I hope this sends a strong message to our communities that violent disorder will not be tolerated - those involved won't get away with it and we'll use every tactic at our disposal to bring offenders before the courts."