A 32-year-old man has become the first adult to be charged with riot after this summer’s violent disorder outbreaks across Britain and could now face a longer sentence of up to 10 years.
Northumbria Police said today that Kieran Usher had become their second suspect to be charged with riot in connection with disorder in Sunderland city centre on August 2.
It followed the force’s announcement yesterday that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday.
The teenager appeared in court yesterday and his case was adjourned following what a district judge called a ‘surprise’ charging decision.
Riot is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – double that of a charge of violent disorder.
Kieran Usher has been charged with riot in connection with disorder in Sunderland city centre on August 2
Northumbria Police said today that Kieran Usher had become their second suspect to be charged with riot in connection with disorder in Sunderland city centre on August 2
It followed the force’s announcement that a boy, 15, had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary
Usher, 32, of Sunderland, was arrested yesterday and is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court today, the force said.
Gale Gilchrist, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, said: ‘This defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot.’
He will appear alongside 58-year-old David Hann, who is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence.
The move comes after a judge called on Wednesday for those who played a key role in the UK riots to be charged with offences that carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years instead of five.
Judge John Thackray KC said prosecutors should look at charging people with riot instead of violent disorder after imprisoning a man who kicked a female police officer to the ground during violence in Hull.
The Recorder of Hull made the remarks after jailing Connor Whiteley, 26, for three years for playing a ‘prominent role’ in the ‘racist, hate-fuelled mob violence’ that unfolded in the city on August 3.
Up until now most defendants have been charged with violent disorder, which means a person intends to use or threaten violence or is aware their conduct may be violent or threaten violence.
A person is guilty of riot if intending to use violence or being aware their conduct may be violent.
Riots broke out in Sunderland on August 2, as well as in other towns and cities across the UK
The disturbances in the north-eastern city were among a series of clashes across the country
Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, has said anyone involved in the Sunderland riots on August 2 could face ‘really serious charges’
Meanwhile, Andrew McIntyre today pleaded not guilty to charges of encouraging murder, encouraging violent disorder and possession of a bladed article at Liverpool Crown Court.
Chris Taylor, prosecuting, confirmed to Judge Neil Flewitt that ‘in simple terms’ the suggestion was that McIntyre was the administrator on an online group.
More than 1,100 people have now been arrested over the recent violence, with almost 650 charged, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said yesterday.
Courts have continued to be packed with defendants after far-right yobs took to high streets in towns and cities across the UK following the killings of three young girls in Southport on July 29.
The attack was wrongly blamed on a fictitious Islamist migrant, a theory spread through online misinformation.
Violence broke out in cities across England and also in Northern Ireland – and has been followed by a hundreds of charges including for children as young as 12, while those arrested also include a 69-year-old accused of vandalism in Liverpool.
In Hull, a man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in the city is due to be sentenced for violent disorder, burglary and racially aggravated criminal damage.
John Honey’s sentencing hearing was previously adjourned after claims he asked a prison probation officer ‘if he wanted his autograph as he is famous and is all over social media’.
John Honey was filmed leaving a Lush store in Hull loaded up with looted products on August 3
John Honey pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated criminal damage of a BMW and damaging nine other cars as well as three charges of burglary, at Hull Crown Court
John Honey (left), 25, attacked a BMW carrying frightened passengers in Hull on August 3 – leaving the driver fearing for his life
Charges of stirring up racial hatred also continue to be brought before the courts across the country, with Wayne O’Rourke due to appear at Lincoln Crown Court.
Geraint Boyce and Daffron Williams are due to be sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for publishing threatening material on a Facebook account intending to stir up religious hatred.
Sentencing hearings for violent disorder are due to take place in a number of different cities, including Bristol, Plymouth and Newcastle.
A 28-year-old man who threw bricks, stones and wood at police in Hartlepool has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Aaron Bradshaw, from the town, was captured on footage a number of times throwing missiles at officers during the disorder on July 31, Cleveland Police said.
The force said he ‘played a significant role’ in the rioting.
A spokesman said: ‘He demonstrated aggressive behaviour and at one point was in possession of a police-style baton – lashing out at the officers to attempt to assault them.
‘Bradshaw grabbed a large wooden plank which he launched towards the officers.’
Honey’s St George’s Cross rugby shirt meant he was easy to identify during the disorder
John Honey, 25, was pictured outside Greggs with stolen goods in Hull on August 3
Honey admitted three charges of burglary at the bath and shoe stores in the city of Hull
The aftermath of violent disorder in Hull city centre which saw rioters tear through the shopping district
Riot police are pictured standing guard outside a damaged O2 shop in Hull on August 3
Bradshaw was jailed at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday, the force confirmed.
Cleveland Police said three other men were also jailed on Thursday in relation to the violence in Hartlepool on July 31 and Middlesbrough on August 4.
Ben Judge, 28, from Hartlepool, was jailed for three years, with the force saying he threw bricks and a metal object at police during the disorder on July 31 and kicked-in a boarded-up window after pulling off the boarding.
Noman Ahmed, 24, from Middlesbrough, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after he was caught on CCTV throwing punches in a crowd of people during the rioting in the town
Jonathan Ambrose, 33, also from Middlesbrough, was identified as throwing missiles at officers during disorder on August 4 and police said he was also found in possession of class B drugs. Ambrose was jailed for 30 months.