Lager-swilling Middlesbrough gang jailed after police attack

Craig Bradley was described as the ringleader as he encouraged his friends to attack the officers to prevent him from being arrested after he became abusive as he resisted arrest.

Macauley Owen, Josh Blackston, Martin Rivers, Samuel Lane, and an unidentified male, launched a barrage of missiles or taunted the officers after they attended the report of a fire in the middle of a road.

Now four of them have been locked up for their role in the disgraceful disorder which left one officer facing the end of his career due to the injuries he suffered in the early hours of November 26 last year.

Five men have been sentenced for their role in the violent disorder in Hemlington last November. (Image: Incidents on Teesside and County Durham)

Judge Chris Smith labelled the outbreak of violence, near Fonteyn Court, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, as disgraceful as he sentenced the group of thugs.

Craig Bradley (Image: Cleveland Police)

“Each of you played your parts in what was a pitched battle with those two police officers,” he said.

“You armed yourselves with an array of makeshift weapons, grabbing whatever was close to hand, beer cans, bottles, rocks, bricks and lumps of concrete, in a disgraceful piece of mob violence.

“None of you showed any respect for those police officers. Each of you showed a complete disregard for the rule of law, instead, choosing to engage in an unattractive and frightening piece of public disorder.

Josh Blackston (Image: Cleveland Police)

“Each of you represents a stain on the hardworking and law-abiding community of Hemlington. This troubling piece of anti-social behaviour has to be met with significant custodial sentences.”

The judge had watched shocking CCTV footage showing one of the officers repeatedly trying to force the gang to move away from the area while his baton was fully extended while objects are being thrown at his head and body.

Macauley Owen (Image: Cleveland Police)

The officer suffered significant injuries and is waiting to be discharged from the force due to trauma and the impact the attack had on his physical wellbeing.

Teesside Crown Court had heard how some of the gang armed themselves with a variety of missiles before launching them at the officer’s head from just metres away.

The judge added: “This ugly pitched battle continued, the four of you regrouped and your Martin Rivers and Josh Blackston rearmed yourselves. Further missiles rained down during which the police vehicle was damaged.

“As the police support arrived you all ran off.”

Paul Rooney, prosecuting, said the officer suffered potentially career-ending injuries after he was bombarded with missiles over a prolonged period while trying to protect his junior colleague.

He said: “As he (Bradley) was being handcuffed he started to shout ‘get them f***** of me, there are four of you f****** do them’.

“He continued to struggle and continued to tell them to get them and this was the catalyst for what was to come.”

Bradley, of Fonteyn Court, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to resist arrest and violent disorder. The 36-year-old was sentenced to two years and ten months.

His lawyer, Tabitha Buck, urged the judge to take into account her client’s guilty plea when sentencing him.

Owen, 26, from Alwinton Court, Ormesby, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and violent disorder. He was jailed for six years and one month.

Michele Turner, in mitigation, told the court that her client had had a challenging start to life.

Martin Rivers (Image: Cleveland Police)

Rivers, of no fixed address but formerly of Alstread Court, Hemlington, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced to two years and five months.

The 33-year-old’s lawyer, Robert Mochrie, said his client had shown remorse since he entered his guilty plea.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here 

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Lane, 20, of Eddison Way, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and breach of a criminal behaviour order. He was sentenced to two years and ten months.

Samuel Lane (Image: Cleveland Police)

Nicci Horton, representing Lane, said her client had learned a harsh lesson whilst being held on remand in prison.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of their co-defendant Josh Blackston.

The 23-year-old, of Fonteyn Court, Middlesbrough, was jailed for six years and one month in his absence after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and violent disorder.