Middlesbrough teenager threw rocks out of ‘sheer excitement'

Lennox Crockett was spotted throwing at least four objects during the violent stand-off on Murray Street, Hartlepool, as well as encouraging children to get involved with attacks on police.

The 19-year-old’s lawyer told the court how the teenager had got overexcited when he became involved in the violence which engulfed parts of the town centre.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said the defendant was initially recorded remonstrating with the police before his behaviour became even more aggressive.

Police dealing with rioters in Hartlepool (Image: Northern Echo)

“He is captured on footage, with his hood up, throwing missiles at the police line,” he said.

“He is seen picking a rock from the ground and throwing at the police line. I count on the footage that he threw rocks at least four times.

“He was often at the front of the crowd alongside small children and at one point is encouraging others, including the children, to push forward at the police.”

The court heard how the teenager was arrested at a flat two weeks earlier when police raided the property and recovered drugs from the scene.

Cleveland Police officers facing rioters in Hartlepool

Mr Ahmad told the court that the defendant told police that all the drugs in the property belonged to him.

Lennox Crockett (Image: Cleveland Police)

Crockett, of Denham Green, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Hartlepool on July 31 and possession of cocaine, cannabis and nitrous oxide following his arrest on July 14.

Michele Turner, mitigating, said her client got involved with the disorder and threw rocks out of ‘sheer excitement’ and was protesting about the police not any other sector of society.

“This is a young man who has been trying to fit in since early childhood,” she said. “He struggled to make friends and struggled in the education system.

“He learned that if he acted the fool, he got laughs, he got recognition from peers in an effort to fit in.”

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Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced Crockett to 18-months in a young offenders’ institute following his guilty pleas.

“I recognise that you struggled with school and you lack many of the tools needed to forge an independent life,” he said.

“Your parents fund your lifestyle, which unfortunately in recent times largely revolved around recreational drugs.

“It is clear that you come from a loving and caring family.”