A number of people have appeared in court in connection with a series of riots and violent disorder which took place in the summer across the North East.

Defendants from around the region were charged following outbreaks of largescale disorder in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool as well as smaller disturbances in Darlington and Willington in late July early August.

Judge Francis Laird KC dealt with about 20 defendants throughout a day of hearings to set trial dates and sentencing hearings.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, handled the cases and brought together several defendants into different trial dates in the coming months.

A bin on fire following a disturbance in Willington last monthA bin on fire following a disturbance in Willington last month (Image: SHAUN HOPE)

Leah Lee, of Hall Lane Estate, Willington, has pleaded guilty to racially aggravated damage to property after she smashed a window during a violent disturbance in the town on August 5.

A charge of violent disorder was allowed to lay on file.

The court heard how the teenager called a man a 'P*** b******' after smashing a window.

The 19-year-old was remanded in custody until she is sentenced on Friday, November 8.

Tabitha Buck, representing the teenager, asked for a pre-sentence report to be conducted as her client was a vulnerable young woman.

Judge Laird warned the teenager that she is facing a custodial sentence for her behaviour.

Andrew Livingstone, Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, who has pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article following the violent disorder in the town on August 4.

The judge heard how the 53-year-old's home had been targeted by a group of youths and he came out to chase them away.

Tabitha Buck, representing the defendant, said he handed over one of the youths to the police before they discovered he was carrying a knife.

Judge Laird KC said: "You are in a different position to many of those who have appeared before me charged with violent disorder from these events.

"As I understand it, you were at your home and people came to cause trouble and you chased them away.

"Unfortunately for you, you had a knife on you at the time. It is accepted that it was not produced."

Livingstone will return to court next week to be sentenced.

A car burning in Middlesbrough following riotingA car burning in Middlesbrough following rioting (Image: MICHAEL ROBINSON)

A teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced on Thursday, October 10, for his behaviour in Middlesbrough on August 4.

Salim Khan, of Newlands Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and the charge of violent disorder was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service following his plea.

The court heard how the 23-year-old drove some other people to the disorder but didn't take part in any of the violence.

The driving offence related to him crashing when he drove away from the police.

A pre-sentence report was requested and he was remanded in custody until November 8.

A riot broke out in Middlesbrough when protest turned wiolent A riot broke out in Middlesbrough when protest turned violent (Image: MICHAEL ROBINSON)

Akheel Khan, 24, of Wheatley Close, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder for his role in the trouble which flared in the town on August 4.

Michele Turner, mitigating for the defendant, said his car was vandalised and he and others chased the people they believed responsible for it.

Khan will be sentenced on October 3.

Rosh Mahmood, 21, of Victoria Road, Middlesbrough, has entered a plea of guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a wooden post.

Tom Bennett, representing the defendant, said a pre-sentence report was not required for his client as he had been on remand since his arrest.

Mahmood will be sentenced next week on Thursday.

Officers walk past a burnt out police car in HartlepoolOfficers walk past a burnt out police car in Hartlepool

Arfan Magid, 18, of Bylands Street, Middlesbrough, has pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said it was an acceptable plea to the Crown Prosecution Service and after he had pleaded not guilty to violent order. The charge will lie on file.

His case was adjourned until October when he will be sentenced.

Paul Thirlwell, of Gloucester Crescent, Wigan; 19-year-old McCauley Shirbon, of Cornwall Street, Hartlepool; and 42-year-old Anthony Allen, of Ormesby Road, Hartlepool; are all accused of being involved in violent disorder in Hartlepool on July 31.

All three had earlier entered a not guilty plea to the charge.

The 42-year-old Thirlwell pleaded guilty to a charge of racially aggravated common assault from the same date.

All three cases were joined together and a five-day trial will start on December 3.

Karl Croaker, of Longford Street, Middlesbrough, who is charged with violent disorder in Middlesbrough on August 4.

The 31-year-old denies the charge and will go on trial on February 3, 2025 alongside other co-accused.

Regan Walker, 23, of Saltney Road, Norton, near Stockton, had pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a metal bar, when he was allegedly spotted holding it while on Park Road North, Middlesbrough.

Connor Stokes, 26, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, had pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

While Lucas Taylor, 44, of Worcester Street, Middlesbrough, is also due to go on trial with the two other defendants after he was charged with violent disorder.

They will go on trial in February.

Police closed off Gladstone Street, DarlingtonPolice closed off Gladstone Street, Darlington (Image: Northern Echo)

Abdul Rahman, of Pendower Street, Darlington, was next in front of the judge.

The 47-year-old was remanded in custody until his trial on December 16.

He is accused of being involved in the violent disorder that occurred in the town in August.

Ethan Bowes, 18, of Woodhouse, Road, Guisborough, 42-year-old Christopher Howard, of Huntley Close, Middlesbrough, 20-year-old Kaleb Peacock-Lightfoot, of Dixon Grove, Middlesbrough, and Anthony Brown, 37, of Windsor Road, Middlesbrough, have all pleaded not guilty to violent disorder from events on August 4.

Their cases were all joined together and the trial will take place on November 25 this year.

Judge Laird KC remanded them in custody until that date.

Ameer Khalile was the next defendant to appear in court via a video link.

The 25-year-old has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and attempting to causing grievous bodily harm on August 4 in Middlesbrough during the course of the rioting.

Khalile, of Limbrick Avenue, Stockton, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

He will go on trial in December.