Here are some of the rioters who have been jailed for the widespread disorder in the region.

Dozens of suspected rioters have been rounded up by police since the violent disorder in Darlington Middlesbrough and Hartlepool earlier this month.

Troublemakers from all three towns have been locked up by judges after they admitted their role in the riots.

Mother-of-six

A mother-of-six who hurled a brick at police during a violent protest in Hartlepool has been jailed for two years, as a judge described her actions as “truly disgraceful”.

Donna Conniff was identified from CCTV and video footage of a protest in Murray Street on the evening of July 31, in which she was seen hurling a brick and a rock towards a line of police officers.

The 40-year-old, who was arrested on August 13, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, was also seen handing a brick to a juvenile who threw it towards police.

Donna ConniffDonna Conniff (Image: Cleveland Police)

Conniff, of Alford Court in Hartlepool, was part of a crowd of people who surged forwards at officers and was seen joining in with cheers as missiles were thrown.

Martin Scarborough, defending Conniff, told Teesside Crown Court that she had come across the protest, which was advertised on social media, “by chance” at about 6pm.

Judge Francis Laird KC accepted that Conniff, who earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was remorseful, but said a custodial sentence was the correct course of action.

“Whilst the disturbance was under way, you were a prominent part of a group that were throwing missiles at police officers. You were observed to throw a brick, hand a brick to a boy and encourage him to throw it at officers.

“You thrust out a leg, kicking towards a police officer. In the course of disorder, properties were targeted, windows were broken, shops and vehicles were damaged.

“Your behaviour and the behaviour of others around you was truly disgraceful. You were a persistent participant and the disorder took place in a busy residential area. Children were present."

Conniff must serve up to one-half of her 24-month sentence in custody before being released on licence.

 

Ex-soldier

An ex-soldier who was caught on camera throwing a plank of wood and rocks at police officers when Hartlepool erupted into violence was identified by his distinctive clothing.

Joel Bishop, who had never been in trouble before, was recorded attacking the officers in the Lothian Road area of the town while wearing a t-shirt with his name on the back.

The 27-year-old father of two was arrested when he returned home from working around the country as an HGV driver.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Bishop was heard calling the officers ‘black c****’ as he repeatedly charged at them during the large-scale disorder.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said police were able to recover three short pieces of footage which captured Bishop moving towards the police before hurling the wood and rocks at their riot shields.

Joel BishopJoel Bishop (Image: Cleveland Police)

Bishop, of Tweed Walk, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and two charges of possession of an offensive weapon – the plank and the rocks - following the rioting on July 31.

Rod Hunt, mitigating, said his client had an unblemished record during his five years of military service and had been in work for all but one-week of his adult life before becoming involved in the riot.

Sentencing Bishop to 18 months in prison, Judge Francis Laird KC said: “I have watched the footage of the incident including what you did. Your behaviour, and the behaviour of others around you, was disgraceful."

 

Brick thrower

An ‘immature’ electrician picked up a brick and threw it at police during disorder in Hartlepool when a pre-planned protest march became violent.

Declan Dixon, who was working in the region at the time of the disturbance, was at the forefront of one group of people involved in a stand-off with Cleveland Police.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 22-year-old was later arrested while in possession of cocaine when he was travelling in a BMW in the Stockton area.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: “The defendant can be seen to be involved in a large group on the corner of Dent Street in Hartlepool. The group instigated a face-off with police in riot gear.

“He is seen to walk up to the police line and throw a brick at the officers.”

The court heard how Dixon was of previous good character and had been working in the region as an apprentice electrician.

Declan DixonDeclan Dixon (Image: Cleveland Police)

Dixon, of Hindley, Wigan, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of cocaine.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had lost his well-paid job as a result of his conviction after bravado and immaturity took over his behaviour on August 31.

Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced Dixon to 18-months in prison for his ‘disgraceful’ behaviour.

“The footage shows you on the corner of Dent Street throwing a missile towards the police. You were identified from that film. I have the footage of your behaviour and it was disgraceful,” he said.

“As a result of your arrest, you lost your employment and I recognise that may have a significant impact of your future career and job prospects."

 

Police gripe

A rioter who tried and failed to set an industrial wheelie bin alight before helping to push it at police officers has been locked up.

Michael Stevenson caught on video footage among a group of people confronting the police as they marched through the streets of Middlesbrough.

The 34-year-old was captured trying unsuccessfully to ignite the red bin with his lighter, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said up to 1,000 people gathered at the Cenotaph before heading towards the town centre along Linthorpe Road before violence erupted.

The court heard how Stevenson only got involved as he had a gripe with police from several years earlier.

A police officer heard Stevenson shouting out abuse in an attempt to provoke them to head towards the Linthorpe Road area.

Miss Masters said Stevenson was arrested four days later when he was spoken to about another incident and the officer searched for footage on Youtube for footage of the rioting and identified the defendant.

The defendant, who continually interrupted proceedings, said he was only at the scene for around 20 minutes before leaving as he had hurt his leg.

At one point, he shouted out: “I just saw red.”

Michael StevensonMichael Stevenson (Image: Cleveland Police)

Stevenson, of Newport Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the rioting on August 4.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had struggled with mental health issues throughout his life and had pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Francis Laird KC jailed Stevenson for two years and two months for his role in the disorder.

 

Main instigator

A Middlesbrough rioter who threw rocks, bottles and debris at police officers after kicking and punching one of them has been branded an 'instigator' of violent disorder.

Matthew Putson was caught on video footage verbally abusing officers as protesters making their way towards Middlesbrough town centre turned violent.

The 27-year-old was described as one of the main instigators of the violence before climbing up a set of traffic lights and becoming involved in a torrent of racial abuse.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: “The defendant came to the attention of the officer as being part of a group making racial comments. He has then approached the officer and shouted abuse at them including calling them sex offenders.

“He appeared to be angry. As the officer continued to watch the defendant, he ran towards him and kicked him to the leg. As the officer had leg pads on this caused him no injury.

“The defendant then punches the officer to the right hand and a number of other people grab hold of the defendant and pull him away to prevent the officer from arresting him.”

Miss Masters said later in the day, Putson was spotted throwing bricks and bottles at officers for around an hour and it was the officer’s perception that he was one of the main instigators of the violence.

Matthew PutsonMatthew Putson (Image: Cleveland Police)

Putson, of Palmer Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker following his behaviour on August 4 this year.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had spent the vast majority of his adult life behind bars.

Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced Putson to a total of two years and eight months for both offences.

“The group which you were a part were shouting insults about Asian people. You shouted abuse at police officers and then you ran towards a police officer and kicked him to the leg and punched him the hand,” he said.