Darlington hurled vile abuse during riot in Middlesbrough

Joseph MacKenzie was captured on CCTV throwing missiles and hurling vile abuse at police officers attempting to control the disorder and prevent it from spreading throughout Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old is one of three men on trial accused of taking part in the violent disorder in August this year.

Charges against a fourth man, Christopher Howard, were dropped on the second day of the trial when the prosecution offered no evidence against the 42-year-old Middlesbrough man.

PC Alan Lake, of Cleveland Police, told Teesside Crown Court that the violent disorder started on Linthorpe Road and was the officer who arrested MacKenzie.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, asked the officer how the defendant came to the attention of the police after jurors had watched a compilation of CCTV footage.

Images from the day violent disorder broke out in Middlesbrough town centre in August. (Image: The Northern Echo, Contributor)

He said: “He was heard shouting ‘we are f****** taking over’ and ‘we f****** hate you c****’.”

PC Lake said the defendant again approached the police cordon and tried to pass through, so I stepped in and arrested him as he was ‘irate and angry’.

Aleric Walmsley, representing the 28-year-old, asked the officer how he felt when he was confronted by up to 1,000 protesters.

The officer replied: “Very apprehensive throughout.”

Mr Walmsley said: “Many of these people were shouting but not all were charged with an offence but you say you heard Mr MacKenzie shout - ‘we are f****** taking over’ and ‘we f****** hate you c****’?”

The officer replied: “Yes.”

PC Lake told jurors that he had nothing further to do with the defendant following his arrest as he was transported to a police station by colleagues.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

• Rioter threw rocks at police during Middlesbrough protest
• Darlington toddler's head injuries 'unsurvivable' doctor tells murder trial jury
• The face of a monster as Darlington child rapist branded ‘arrogant and despicable’

Don’t miss out on our biggest sale of the year! Get a full year of the Northern Echo for only £25 or try 6 months for just £6. Click here for details.

Mackenzie, 28, of Skeldale Grove, Darlington; 38-year-old Brown, of Windsor Road, Middlesbrough; and Peacock-Lightfoot, 20, of Dixon Grove, Middlesbrough; all deny violent disorder from August 4.

A fifth defendant, Ethan Bowes, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon on the day of the trial.

The 19-year-old, of Woodhouse Road, Guisborough, will be sentenced on January 14 next year and was remanded in custody while a pre-sentence report was completed.

The trial continues.