Mother and daughter sentenced for role in Middlesbrough riot

The pair were caught on CCTV and police body worn footage throwing bricks and smashing up a car, which was subsequently torched, when a protest about the killing of three children in Southport erupted into violence.

Grandmother Amanda Walton, 52, of Ashling Way, Middlesbrough, and Megan Davison, a 24-year-old mother of two, both admitted the role they played in the disorder which caused thousands of pounds of damage to Middlesbrough town centre.

The aftermath of the violent disorder in Middlesbrough (Image: The Northern Echo, Contributor)

Walton, who was walking her dog, was accused of throwing a stone at a building as a baying mob made its way along Parliament Road on August 4.

She was also accused of damaging a car wing mirror.

Megan Davison on the roof of the car with her mother, Amanda Walton, in the orange jacket (Image: Cleveland Police)

Walton was with her daughter, who was said to have repeatedly jumped on the roof of the same parked car before smashing its windows.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: “She was also seen walking away from a shop whilst concealing items.”

Car damaged during the violent disorder in Middlesbrough (Image: The Northern Echo, Contributor)

Teesside Crown Court heard how Walton handed herself into police after her image was circulated on social media by Cleveland Police following the riot in the town centre.

Davison was arrested at her home alongside her partner, Jake Wray, who has also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Megan Davison (Image: Cleveland Police)

Jon Harley, representing Davison, said that was no ‘getting around’ his client’s role in the disorder after taking a cocktail of drugs and drinking heavily the night before.

“She was intoxicated at the time she got involved in all this and that’s the simple reason why she was involved,” he said.

“She allowed herself to be swept up and behaved in a very stupid manner as depicted on the footage.”

Amanda Walton (Image: Cleveland Police)

And Gary Wood, representing Walton, said his client deserved credit for handing herself into police after seeing herself on a social media post.

“She handed herself in and identified herself as someone who was responsible,” he said.

“She can offer no sensible explanation for why she went on to throw the object that she did.”

Judge Francis Laird KC told the pair he accepted that the were not driven by racist or ideological beliefs as he sentenced them for their appalling behaviour.

Amanda Walton and Megan Davison appearing to be handing out goods to other rioters (Image: Cleveland Police)

Addressing Walton, he said: "I accept there was no ideological or racist motive in your involvement. I accept that you are remorseful and doing well while in custody.

"The most significant factor in mitigation in your case is your guilty plea."

Turning to mother-of two Davison, he said: "On this particular day you were severely affected by drugs and alcohol. This may well have affected your judgement and your ability to exercise self-restraint.

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"You simply got carried away in the mob and your behaviour was appalling."

Walton was sentenced to 22 months in custody while her daughter was sentenced to 20 months.

Davison’s partner, Wray, who lives with her at Seaton Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will be sentenced later this month.

At a previous hearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, the prosecution said he approached drivers at a junction, asked whether they were “white” or similarly, if they were “English” and the court was told “if they were, he seems to allow them to pass”.