A rioter who set up a 'checkpoint' while shouting ‘are you white?’ was also caught on camera footage setting fire to a bin and pushing at police lines.

Jake Wray was at the centre of the violent disorder that swept through Middlesbrough town centre when a protest descended into widescale rioting.

The 23-year-old was also spotted climbing into the rear of a smashed-up car just minutes before it went up in flames.

Teesside Crown Court was shown a compilation of footage as Wray helped to whip up disorder in the town centre on August 4.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said: “The defendant is in the middle of Linthorpe Road essentially directing traffic saying – ‘are you white?’ before letting traffic through.”

Dealing with the wheelie bin incident, she added: “The defendant is trying to set alight a large industrial wheelie bin, they all then push the bin towards the line of police officers.

“It then shows the defendant seen trying to set a residential bin alight – not only trying, but he is also successful.

“The defendant, along with a female, run and wheel it in the direction of the police line who were there to maintain order during this unprecedent day of rioting in Middlesbrough.

“That female lost her footing and fell into the police line herself.”

The footage was also shown of Wray walking past the court building shouting ‘you can stick your chicken tikka up you’re a***’ before shouting ‘Tee-Tee-Teessider’.

Wray, of Seaton Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder as a result of his behaviour on August 4.

Some of the violent disorder which took place in Middlesbrough town centreSome of the violent disorder which took place in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Harry Crowson, mitigating, said his client was embarrassed by his ‘appalling’ behaviour during the protests and has reflected on his actions while held on remand since August.

He said: “There is no evidence to suggest he was an instigator of the organisation of the protest that took place.

“Clearly, he has behaved in an appalling, violent way and indeed a destructive way after setting fire to the bin and pushing it at police.”

Judge Richard Bennett branded Wray’s behaviour as ‘disgraceful’ while he was at the forefront of the disorder which broke in the town centre.

“You were tracked throughout Middlesbrough and you were involved in a number of incidents including violence, overt racism, and arson,” he said.

“You had attempted to disguise yourself by wrapping an England flag round your head and face.”

Jake WrayJake Wray (Image: Cleveland Police)

Wray was sentenced to three years in custody for violent disorder with two-months of a suspended sentence for assaulting an emergency worker also being activated.

Judge Bennett added: “In a chilling turn of events, you stationed yourself on the crossroads and took it upon yourself to stop vehicles to check skin colour and heritage of those occupying them.

“You were caught on video asking them ‘are you white?’ or ‘are you English?’ before beckoning them forward and allowing them to proceed.

“That behaviour was disgraceful. That piece of footage was so shocking it made the national news.

“You were, at times, carrying out a leading role and you were instigating a number of incidents.”

Stacey Vint was captured on video trying to shove the bin towards police with riot shields before falling flat on her face.

Appearing at Teesside Crown Court in August, the 34-year-old was jailed for one year and eight months.

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Earlier this year, Wray girlfriend Megan Davison and her mother, Amanda Walton, were sentenced for their role in the disorder.

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.

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

The 52-year-old was sentenced to 22 months in custody while her 24-year-old daughter was sentenced to 20 months.