Darlington man among those in court over Middlesbrough riot

Throughout the day about 20 defendants appeared in front of Judge Francis Laird KC to face charges relating to the widespread disorder on Sunday, August 4 at Teesside Crown Court.

The youngest defendant aged 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent order but denied a charge of possession of a bladed article was among those in court.

James Bullock and 28-year-old Darlington man Joseph Mackenzie were in the first group of defendants to come before the judge in Court 1.

Police stand off with protesters during rioting in Middlesbrough (Image: The Northern Echo)

Mackenzie, of Skeldale Grove, Darlington, and 20-year-old Bullock, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, both pleaded not guilty to violent conduct.

They were both remanded in custody until September 26 when they will appear for a further case management hearing.

The Teesside teenager appeared in the next group of defendants alongside Paul Sizer, Arfan Magid and Ashley Ferguson.

Sizer, 40, of Bramcote Way, Thornaby, and 33-year-old Ferguson, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, both pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody until September 26.

While 18-year-old Magid, of Byland Street, Middlesbrough, was not asked to enter a plea until he appears in court next month.

A car burns in Middlesbrough, during riot

Three further defendants all appeared via a video link from a prison in Peterborough to face charges of violent disorder.

Jamie Govan, of Hartington Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was remanded in custody to be sentenced on October 2. The judge adjourned the case to allow time for a pre-sentence report to be completed after hearing that the 26-year-old was of previous good character.

Lewis Loughlin, 23, of Victoria Road, Middlesbrough, and 21-year-old Lennon Chisholm, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to the same charge. They will appear at the same court next month.

The next person to appear was 18-year-old Ethan Bowes, of Woodhouse Road, Guisborough, who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. The court heard how he had a metal cannabis grinder inside a sock on him when he was arrested.

Riot police in action during Middlesbrough riot (Image: Contributor)

Mohammad Adam and Salim Khan were the final two defendants to appear during the morning session.

Adam, Acton Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a scaffolding pole, on Waterloo Road, Middlesbrough. The 23-year-old was remanded in custody until September 26.

Khan, 23, of Newlands Road, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and dangerous driving and was remanded in custody until the same date.

Regan Walker was the first defendant to appear in front of the judge during the afternoon session.

The 23-year-old, of Saltney Road, Norton, Stockton, pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a metal bar, when he was allegedly spotted holding it while on Park Road North, Middlesbrough.

He was remanded in custody until next month.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

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Jonathan Lodge and Akheel Khan were the next two defendants up in court.

Lodge, 36, of Coatham Road, Redcar, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder while 24-year-old Khan, of Wheatley Close, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to the same charge. They were both remanded in custody until September 26.

The final person to be dealt with was 26-year-old Connor Stokes, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder. He was remanded in custody for a further four weeks.

Two more men, Robert Parsons, 56, of West Lane, Middlesbrough, and 53-year-old Andrew Livingstone, of Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, were both told their cases would be heard tomorrow (Wednesday, August 28).