A former serviceman was an "active and persistent participant" in the recent disorder in his home city of Sunderland while intoxicated by a mix of cocaine and alcohol.

Philip Andrew Cawthorne, who served his country in Iraq during a three-year Army career, has since written a letter of apology over his actions during the disorder which followed a planned protest in Sunderland, days after the Southport murders of three girls.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Cawthorne, 38, who was partly concealed by a cap he was wearing, threw a can of beer towards the police lines during the confrontation in the Keel Square area, early on the evening of August 2.

The can is believed to have hit an officer in the leg.

(Image: North News/Northumbria Police)

Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said he was later picked up on footage running towards the police line, stopping to pick up a missile of sorts from the road, before hurling it in the direction of the officers.

All the time he was said to be gesticulating and shouting abuse at the officers.

Cawthorne was seen carrying a bag and a mobile phone which he used to film the police line during the incident.

Miss Dowling said in the days after the unrest he was recognised during reviews of available footage and arrested.

When initially interviewed he claimed he was, "only really there at the beginning", but it was pointed out that the footage on which he featured was taken at almost 7.30pm, three-and-a-half hours after the "protest" began.

He admitted he was the person identified on the footage running at the police line, apparently shouting and swearing.

Cawthorne told police he had been drinking and had problems with alcohol, but admitted he was ashamed by his actions.

The 38-year-old defendant, of Southend Road, Sunderland, admitted a charge of violent disorder when he first appeared before magistrates, on August 9.

The court heard he is not heavily convicted, but has a record featuring 12 offences, some for public order offending, but also for malicious communication, and less than a month before the Sunderland city centre disorder, he was convicted for being racially abusive to three passengers on a bus in the city, which he claimed he could not recall doing due to his level of intoxication.

(Image: North News)

Sophie Allinson-Howells, in mitigation,  said like many others convicted of participation in the disorder, her client has, "significant issues with alcohol consumption".

But she said: "To his credit he accepted from the outset his involvement was, as it was seen on the footage.

"It, perhaps, comes as no surprise he was under the influence.

"Nothing can be said to excuse his behaviour and he understands it was significant, bringing shame on himself and damage to his own city.

"He's rightly very remorseful and I accept it's genuine."

Miss Allinson-Howells said the defendant was someone, "capable of good".

"He's ex-British Army and served in Iraq until 2020 when he was medically discharged after a diagnosis with fibromyalgia.

"But, since the age of 20 he's been before the courts, albeit he is relatively-lightly convicted.

"He has insight to realise the way he is drinking, there was bound to be an event which resulted in him receiving a custodial sentence of some length.

"He has written a long letter of apology.

"With a cold and sober mind he's at a loss to explain his involvement."

Judge Paul Sloan told Cawthorne that those arrested for participation in events in Sunderland that evening, "brought shame upon the city".

He said for "no justifiable reason" four police officers were hospitalised, seven police vehicles were damaged, and damage to businesses in the city centre amounting to the hundreds of thousands was caused by the mob.

The destruction included the ransacking of a police community hub, in Waterloo Place, a  Citizens Advice Bureau, and the looting of a vape shop, while many other business premises also suffered damage.

"Right-thinking members of the community in which you live were left shocked and in fear."

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Judge Sloan said: "Those participating in mass disorder must expect severe sentences intended not only to punish, but also to deter others from copying their example."

He accepted that the defendant was intoxicated by cocaine and a large amount of drink which he consumed, "maybe through PTSD, while also suffering fibromyalgia."

The judge imposed a 26-month prison sentence, similar to the length of sentences passed in such cases in the past fortnight.