Two Sunderland men jailed for roles in rioting and disorder in city

Liam Doeg was frequently seen at the forefront of the violence and destruction across the city centre, firing various missiles at the police lines and later being among those who looted a vape shop.

Ian Kirtley encouraged others to join in the unrest, helped to free a man being detained by police and filmed some of the scenes of disorder across various locations in the city centre.

Both were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court, which was given an update on the increasing toll of costs to Northumbria Police on the afternoon and evening of damage and destruction, which began as an anti-immigration protest march following the deaths of three girls in Southport on Merseyside days earlier.

(Image: Northumbria Police) In a statement read to the hearing, Northumbria Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said the cost has now risen to £1.517m for which an application has been made to the Home Office to help towards the bill.

The court heard that Doeg, 33, of Poplar House, Tatham Street, Sunderland, originally admitted charges of violent disorder and burglary, but they were replaced by an upgraded offence of riot, to which the defendant also pleaded guilty.

Despite his initial denials at an early appearance before magistrates, 36-year-old Kirtley, of Hylton Road, Sunderland, admitted a charge of violent disorder.

(Image: Northumbria Police) Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said police officers were met with "serious and sustained" levels of violence, with street furniture and other items being used as missiles by some of those in the crowd in scenes which moved to different parts of the city centre.

A Citizen's Advice Bureau and a police hub were badly damaged while a vape shop suffered heavy damage and was looted of stock.

(Image: Northumbria Police) Four police officers were injured, and some are yet to recover sufficiently to return to front-line duties, while seven police vehicles were damaged and six were unable to be immediately brought back into service, requiring various repairs.

Mr Ahmad said Doeg was seen on CCTV in a T-shirt and shorts repeatedly throwing missiles at police lines, including bricks, a wheelie-bin, and a parasol while he was one of several people seen carrying a large bench table towards officers.

He was later seen entering the looted vape shop and helping himself to items of stock.

Doeg was arrested on August 8 and made no comment to police.

Mr Ahmad said Kirtley was initially seen in shorts and a T-shirt, which he later used to partially cover his face, while carrying an England flag.

He was among crowds in Keel Square and later near the mosque in St Marks Road, shouting at police lines.

Making his way back to the city centre, he pulled a man free from the grasp of two mounted police officers trying to arrest him, and was seen pushing a large commercial-size wheelie bin towards police, encouraging others to take part, while he was also seen filming a lot of the disorder.

(Image: North News) When arrested he said he merely went to "wave a flag" and claimed he was unaware of events in Southport earlier in the week.

He claimed he pulled the man free from police to prevent him being assaulted.

Sophie Allinson-Howells, for Doeg, said alcohol has been a major issue for him and he was so intoxicated that evening to the extent he has little recollection of events.

"But he accepts if doesn't justify his actions.

"He has not been before the court for violence against people or property.

"He was so intoxicated that day  he has lost control of the way he behaved.

"He is utterly appalled at the way he behaved."

Miss Alinson-Howells said while in custody the defendant has been attempting to address his issues with alcohol with the services available in prison and has a "plan of action" for his eventual release.

(Image: North News) Jessica Slaughter, for Kirtley, described him as "vulnerable and easily-influenced by others", with his own complex issues, including mental health difficulties.

She said he has been on remand in prison for almost three months, having never previously been in custody.

"He arguably had a minor role that evening and was certainly not one of the most active participants," added Miss Slaughter.

Judge Tim Gittins  said both defendants took part in events which "brought shame" upon the city of Sunderland that evening.

"For no justifiable reason whatsoever large groups of several hundred gathered in the city centre and participated in an orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder.

"The mayhem was widespread, moving from area-to-area and involved serious acts of violence to both persons and property."

Judge Gittins said he accepted Doeg had not planned to be involved, but in his drunken state played, "a significantly more serious role" than his co-accused.

The judge said Kirtley was seen at times draped in a flag of St George, "upon which you brought equal shame", beckoning people to become involved.

Judge Gittins imposed an immediate 44-month sentence on Doeg and one of 21 months on Kirtley.

He said both will serve up to half of those sentences behind bars before being released on licence.

Formal not guilty verdicts were passed on the original charges of violent disorder and burglary faced by Doeg, which were replaced by the count of riot.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigations Team, said: “The scenes in Sunderland that evening were utterly shocking and we remain committed to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.

“Thanks to the efforts of officers and support of the community, we were able to build an extremely strong case against Liam Doeg, which showed his level of involvement in the disorder.

“His thoughtless actions could have resulted in serious injury to our officers and other members of the public.”

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He added: “To those who believe they’ve gotten away with their involvement, our work is very much ongoing, and the net is tightening all the time on anyone who played a part.

“We continue to gather intelligence to support our enquiries and welcome anyone who thinks they have anything useful to share to come forward.

“Any piece of information, no matter how small, could prove crucial in our investigations.”