Rioters plead guilty to violent disorder charges

Reuters People help sweep up debris from a burnt vehicle after a night of violent anti-immigrant demonstrations in Sunderland

Members of the community have been out in Sunderland cleaning up after the violence

Two men and a woman involved in rioting in Sunderland on Friday have pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Leanne Hodgson, 43, of Holborn Road, Sunderland, and Josh Kellett, 29, of Southcroft, Washington, admitted the offence at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Andrew Smith, 41, of High Street East in Sunderland, also admitted the same offence at Newcastle Crown Court.

All three will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court next month.

During the disturbance Hodgson was filmed pushing a large bin towards a line of police officers.

She denied taking part in the original march but said she had been out drinking and became involved in the disorder when the pub closed, the court heard.

Hodgson was described in court as having been “very drunk and angry” at the time and was later arrested at her home address.

Northumbria Police Two police officers, one on each side of Leanne Hodgson, who has a black top slipping off her shoulders and is wearing handcuffs, as they arrest her at her home address
Leanne Hodgson was arrested at her home address

The court heard how the defendant had a “long-running alcohol problem”.

John Garside, prosecuting, said there had been “a large crowd cheering and joining in” as Hodgson pushed the bin at officers.

District judge Zoe Passfield said Hodgson chose to involve herself in the riot.

“This was large-scale mob violence which resulted in fear to the public and damage to local businesses,” the judge said.

‘Too serious’

Earlier, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard video footage taken during the riot showed Kellet throwing a stone towards police officers while part of a large group.

He was wearing a balaclava at the time but police identified him by his “distinctive tattoos”.

A district judge said Kellett’s case was “too serious” for magistrates to deal with and he was remanded in custody until sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Northumbria Police Northumbria Police officer kicking in a white UPVC door with a clear central panelNorthumbria Police
Police made a number of arrests at various suspects’ home addresses

Appearing at South Tyneside Magistrate’s Court, a 27-year-old man, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary after admitting stealing vapes from a shop damaged during the riots, but pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

A 48-year old man appearing at the same court pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

A 31-year-old man, again at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, was charged with the same offence but did not indicate a plea.

All six defendants have been remanded in custody for hearings at Newcastle Crown Court on 2 September.

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