Five Hartlepool men sentenced for role in violent disorder

A judge said today (Thursday) the public had been left “rightly outraged by this behaviour on the streets of our country”.

The violent demonstrators are their first to be put behind bars after mass violence across the North East. More face jail when they appear in court tomorrow (Friday, August 9).

The behaviour of all five was branded “disgraceful” by a judge at Teesside Crown Court.

Scenes of violent disorder in Hartlepool. (Image: Picture: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Judge Francis Laird KC said: “Members of the public have been forced to endure the devastation and chaos caused.”

None of them had racist beliefs, the court heard.

Among them, three had been for a night at the bingo including 18-year-old Bobby Shirbon who had been celebrating his birthday with family before becoming a "prominent part" of a group hurling missiles at cops.

Bobby Shirbon. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Steven Mailen, 54, was at the “very forefront of the mob” and was, along with his partner Ryan Sheers, 29, bitten by a police dog after trying to pass a police cordon.

Meanwhile Kieron Gatenby, 19, and “chronic alcoholic” Carl Holliday, 31, had been in the vicinity before deciding to join the crowds, throwing eggs and metal sheets respectively at officers.

The court heard social media posts circulated early on Wednesday July 31 sharing the addresses of asylum seekers in Hartlepool and urging people to gather in what was described as a “protest” that night.

A group of people converged on the cenotaph that evening at 6pm, some with England flags. The crowd quickly grew in number to more than 200.

By 8pm violent disorder had broken out with missiles being hurled at police. Eight officers suffered injuries with two hospitalised. Meanwhile, Cleveland Police estimates £300,000 of damage to its property due to riots in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.

Five of those who admitted violent disorder are now behind bars after their offending was exposed.

Police in Hartlepool responding to the disorder. (Image: Picture: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Bobby Shirbon’s 18th birthday should have been a "joyous" day of "celebration", Judge Laird said, but it ended with him “foolishly” joining the “ugly mob”.

He was the only defendant on Thursday to be sentenced for two charges of violent disorder after joining a second gathering in Hartlepool the following day, on August 1, where potatoes, glass and rocks were again thrown at police vehicles. He was identified as being responsible for throwing a bottle at the van.

Shirbon, of Cornwall Street, Hartlepool, later told police: “It's OK, everybody's doing it”.

Mitigating, Mr Cahill KC said: “They (his family) have been to the bingo and saw there was a disturbance going on. Instead of going home, very foolishly, he went to see what was going on.”

Shirbon, a registered carer for his mother was sentenced to 20 months at a young offenders’ institute.

Ryan Sheers wept in the dock as he and lover Steven Mailen were jailed for two years and two months each.

Judge Laird said: "Officer PC Morrison described you, Steven Mailen, as one of the main instigators of the violence. You, along with your partner Ryan Sheers were at the very forefront of the mob."

Ryan Sheers. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Both tried to push through the police line before Mailen, a support worker and former school governor and postmaster, was struck to the leg with an extendable baton.

Prosecutor Miss Rachel Masters told the court Mailen was bitten by a police dog and officers tried to detain him. Mailen grabbed officer PC Morrison’s radio, which had become loose, before he kicked the officer in the shins “numerous times”. It took three police officers to get him in handcuffs.

The hearing was shown video footage of Sheers shouting at officers before the police dog bit him on the right hip/buttock area and he was arrested.

Mitigating, Mr Nigel Soppitt said Mailen “describes his own behaviour as aggressive and pathetic” and Sheers let his emotions “run out of control” after seeing his partner brought down.

Steven Mailen. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Kieran Gatenby, 19, of Yeovil Walk, Hartlepool, rocked back and forward in the dock as he was sent to youth detention for 16 months.

Gatenby, who brought his possessions to court in an Iceland carrier bag, became part of the violence while on his way to his girlfriend’s house at about 10.30pm, the court heard. She wept uncontrollably in the public gallery as he was put behind bars.

Keiron Gatenby. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

He was captured on a police body camera throwing an egg, but said he was not aiming at police.

Prosecutor Miss Masters said: “He accepted his presence on Murray Street. He said he had been going to his girlfriend's address and had come across police.

"He was wondering what was happening. He accepted that he had joined the group and had been present for between 30 and 60 minutes. The group were shouting racial slurs and the word 'Tommy'.

“He stated that he was throwing an egg. He said he had not aimed this towards the police but towards another man.”

Police clashing with rioters. (Image: Picture: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Mitigating, Mr McNicholas said his client was “at pains for me to stress . . . his actions weren't motivated by a subscription to far-right ideology.”

Carl Holliday, 30, had downed 30 cans of beer in the hours before the unrest.

Described as a “chronic alcoholic”, he was caught on camera chucking sheets of metal at police from “close proximity”.

The prosecutor said he was “heard constantly shouting and swearing at officers in an aggressive manner".

Carl Holliday. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

The court heard Holliday, of Tankerville Street, Hartlepool, had 15 previous convictions for 18 offences, with the first dating to 2006 and the latest being battery in 2022.

Mitigating, Mr McReddie said his client had explicitly told him not to chase complex legal arguments and that he knew he needed to be punished for what he had done.

The barrister said Holliday had told him: “It is what it is. I’ve done what I’ve done. I know I need to be punished.”

Mr McReddie said he “had no knowledge of any organisation through social media. He holds no racist views.”

Tomorrow (Friday, August 9), Darlington teen Cole Stewart will be sentenced after throwing missiles at officers in a disturbance on Monday night. Meanwhile Sunderland ‘rioters’ Andrew Smith, Josh Kellett, Leanne Hodgson will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.

Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said: “Over the last week officers have been faced with extremely challenging situations involving individuals who had nothing else in mind but the intent to cause violence.

“Within seven days of the Hartlepool disorder those set on committing serious violence have been arrested, charged and now sentenced by the court. This sends a very firm message to anyone continuing to think of committing sheer violence.

“Our investigation remains ongoing and I want to encourage members of the public to keep reporting information – no matter how small you think it might be.”

Speaking outside Teesside Crown Court, Senior CPS Prosecutor for the North East Christopher Atkinson said: “The tough sentences handed out today should serve as a lesson for anyone considering taking part in this type of disorder.

Recommended reading:

• MP praises "brave police officers" for their efforts in destructive riots
• Two men convicted for involvement in violent disorder in Sunderland
• LISTED: The North East rioters in court this week after violence across region

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“This show of violence on the streets of Hartlepool instilled fear in local residents and caused damage to local businesses.

“I would like to praise the excellent work of Cleveland Police in dealing with this disorder. In addition to their brave response to a particularly difficult situation they have also secured key evidence against multiple offenders, which has assisted us greatly in building such robust cases against those involved.

“We will continue to work closely with our police partners, responding swiftly and robustly to any activity which threatens the safety of the communities we serve.

“Our message is clear: we stand ready to secure convictions and push for the strongest possible sentences against anyone involved in violent unrest.

“Those foolish enough to take part in such activity will likely find themselves facing a prison sentence and a permanent criminal record for their efforts.”