Two men who became embroiled in civil disorder when a protest march descended into violence have been locked up.

James Elliott and Dylan Wiley were filmed as they became increasingly aggressive when confronted by a police cordon trying to prevent rioters from leaving the area.

Video footage shown to Teesside Crown Court captured 41-year-old Elliott repeatedly walking towards the officers and shouting abuse towards them as young children could be seen throwing metal objects at their riot shields.

And Wiley was among the group of people in Hartlepool town centre being aggressive towards police and the 28-year-old was filmed throwing a wooden object at them.

Riot police in HartlepoolRiot police in Hartlepool

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court, that the defendants were caught on film while in the Murray Street area of the town before playing the court the footage.

She told the court that Elliott had five previous convictions for five offences, including one for a public order offence and affray.

The court heard how Wiley had 41 convictions for 81 offences, including ones for criminal damage, possession of a blade and a racially aggravated fear of violence offence.

James ElliottJames Elliott (Image: Cleveland Police)

Elliott, of Raby Road, and Wiley, of St Catherine's Court, both Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Jonathan Gittins, representing Elliott, said his client had not intended getting involved in the disorder but fully understands that his actions were encouraging the behaviour of others.

“Going along with the crowd places him in league with them,” he said. “He stayed and got caught up in the incident. He is insistent that he didn’t go in a pre-planned way and knows he should have left but didn’t.”

Dylan WileyDylan Wiley (Image: Cleveland Police)

While Kelleigh Lodge, representing Wiley, said his client had become involved when he walked to the shop and came across the police cordon.

She added: “He deeply regrets his actions and is genuinely sorry for his behaviour by throwing things at the police officers.”

Judge Francis Laird KC told them that he accepted they were not motivated by political or racial stance but said custody was the only option available to him.

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Addressing Elliott, who was described as an alcoholic, he said: “You appeared to be intoxicated and you were amongst the crowd that was jeering and you were encouraging others to commit acts of disorder.”

Turning to Wiley, he added: “You were captured on footage throwing items at officers and goading them.”

Elliott was jailed for 18 months and Wiley was locked up for two years.