A man allowed himself to get caught up in a confrontation with police on the evening an anti-immigration protest turned into widespread disorder on the city streets.

Shaun Doran, 48, was among those arrested on the night of the riot-like scenes which developed in Sunderland on Friday, August 2.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he had not even taken part in the organised protest but was drinking in a city centre pub when police came to clear the premises due to the fast-rising tension outside.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said Doran was identified as someone who appeared to be trying to provoke unlawful violence.

(Image: Northumbria Police/North News)

He was seen in the city centre wearing a Sunderland football shirt, with a denim jacket and jeans, facing the police line, and then picking up bottles and placing them in a wheelie bin, which was later pushed towards officers by others.

Mr Ahmad said Doran was heard shouting: "F***ing come on", goading the police and urging others to come forward.

Some of those others began to throw missiles at the police.

He then began to approach the police line and someone else was heard to shout: "Go on son", at which point he was arrested.

Mr Ahmad said some of the officers involved in his arrest were then attacked with further missiles.

As the evening went on there was widespread damaging and looting of shops, a police hub and citizens advice facility, while several police vehicles were damaged and four officers injured, some of whom are yet to return to front-line duties.

Doran, of Villette Road, Sunderland, denied violent disorder but admitted threatening and abusive words and behaviour, pleas which were accepted by the Crown to reflect his behaviour that evening.

(Image: Northumbria Police)

The court heard he has remained in custody since his arrest and the subsequent first court hearing.

Chris Knox, in mitigation, said although the defendant's role in events that evening were relatively limited, he had to accept they were, "part of a wider picture."

"His previous offences relating to any form of violence are old, going back to the last century.

"He's a man who really could do with some direction and help.

"He's been in custody now for four weeks.

"As soon as the prosecution produced a video and he reviewed it, he was given advice which he acted on and made his admission in the way he did.

"He was not even on the protest that evening, but he was in a public house which was cleared.

"Police were clearing the pubs for obvious reasons, so there was no element of him being anxious to create disorder.

"He wasn't violent to people or property.

"He admitted making threats and disorder in a disorderly situation."

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Judge Tim Gittins said Doran was present in Sunderland during the disorder, but he accepted he played no part in the planning of the event.

"Mirroring what had happened in other towns and cities, you brought shame on the city of Sunderland and the shirt you were wearing.

"For no justifiable reason whatsoever, you participated in what turned out to be an orgy of mindless destruction and disorder."

Judge Gittins said it had an "appalling impact" on the police and city centre businesses.

He told Doran: "While your behaviour falls below some others, nevertheless you were at the forefront, trying to antagonise and intimidate the police."

The judge said the defendant tried to minimise his role by claiming to have been, "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

"What is clear is that you voluntarily engaged in public disorder when you could have, and should have, left the area.

"It was part of a sustained incident and your behaviour was over a period of time.

"It was part of a group action", which the judge accepted was, "out of character, recently."

Imposing a three-month prison sentence, the judge said that given the time served on remand, the defendant would probably be released in the next few days or weeks.

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* In a further case arising from events in Sunderland, on the late afternoon and evening of August 2, Brian Gilby, 27, of Hendon Burn Avenue, Sunderland, pleaded not guilty to a charge of riot, but admitted violent disorder.

The case was adjourned for trial, but no date was set as he may be joined by other defendants facing a similar charge of riot.

Judge Gittins remanded the defendant to remain in custody to appear at a further short hearing on November 8, over the prison to court video link.