Middlesbrough man cleared of violent disorder during riot

Kaleb Peacock-Lightfoot was accused of being involved in the widespread disorder which left Middlesbrough town centre trashed.

The 20-year-old, of Dixon Grove, Middlesbrough, was found not guilty by a jury following a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, had said Peacock-Lightfoot was at the forefront of the disorder and regularly placed himself in front of the police lines on August 4.

She said in a police interview he denied taking part in the violence and only wore a face covering to protect his identity as he was a private person.

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

Yesterday, Joseph MacKenzie, who was one of five people on trial following the riot, was found guilty of violent disorder.

The 28-year-old was caught on CCTV and mobile phone footage shouting vile abuse at police officers as they struggled to maintain order when hundreds of people rampaged around the town.

Jurors watched a video compilation of MacKenzie’s movements on August 4 which showed him at the forefront of the protesters standing in the way of the police line.

Miss Masters, prosecuting, had asked PC Alan Lake how the defendant came to the attention of the police after jurors had watched a compilation of CCTV footage.

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

MacKenzie, of Skeldale Grove, Darlington, was remanded in custody until he will be sentenced in the new year.

The charge of violent disorder against 38-year-old Anthony Brown, of Windsor Road, Middlesbrough, was dropped following a direction from the judge.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

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He was found not guilty of a charge of assaulting an emergency worker.

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.

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.