A company director wept and dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief in court on Tuesday as he was told he would be remanded in custody over his alleged involvement in Sunday’s riots in Middlesbrough.
Joe MacKenzie, 28, is accused of being among a group of about 20 men who wore balaclavas and face coverings and clashed with police during violent unrest in the city.
He is one of 28 people who appeared in Teesside court on Tuesday in connection with the disturbances.
The people who appeared in court were between 16 and 56 years old.
Twenty-six people are charged with violent disorder, one 18-year-old adult is charged with possession of an offensive weapon and another, 32, was charged after being wanted on an arrest warrant.
A total of 40 arrests have now been made in connection with the disturbances in Middlesbrough.
Four adults have been released on bail pending further enquiries, one person remains in hospital with a pre-existing medical condition and seven minors have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Mr MacKenzie, from Darlington, began to cry as he sat next to a harbour master as prosecutor Chris Tame briefly outlined the case against him.
Mr Tame said: “The suspect was arrested on suspicion of throwing objects, assaulting police during the day and shouting abuse. He was seen drinking from a can of beer.”
Suspect denies using unlawful violence or making threats
Mr MacKenzie, director of his father’s kitchen and bathroom company, denies using or threatening to use unlawful force. He will appear in Teesside District Court at a date yet to be fixed.
Nick Woodhouse applied for bail on behalf of Mr MacKenzie, claiming he had gone to Middlesbrough town centre “out of curiosity”.
Mr Woodhouse told the court: “Mr MacKenzie attempted to leave the city centre and return to his car but his path was blocked by a police cordon.
“He was told he would have to walk about two miles back to his car, which would be difficult because he has a club foot.”
Mr Woodhouse added that Mr MacKenzie was concerned his family business would go bankrupt if he were to remain in prison awaiting trial, but he was remanded in custody.
Thomas Rogers, 22 and of no fixed address, also appeared in court, throwing stones at police and shouting: “I hope your children get raped.”
Mr Rogers was remanded in custody pending sentence after admitting possession of an offensive weapon – the bricks – and unlawful use or threat of use of force.
The court heard he was part of a group of 30 people who threw stones at police during Sunday’s riots.
He later told officers, “I’m glad I threw the rocks.”
Teen accused of carrying an axe
A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of carrying an axe during the chaos. He is charged with unlawful assault and carrying an offensive weapon.
He spoke in court to confirm his date of birth and address. He was accompanied by a dock officer.
He pleaded not guilty to the weapons charge, but made no confession to the other charge.
Andrew Livingston, 53, of Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, denied violent disorder and pleaded no contest to a further charge of possessing an 18in knife.
The shaved-headed, heavily tattooed Mr Livingston, wearing a white vest, looked up at the ceiling as he was told he would be remanded in custody until August 27, when he is due to appear again at Teesside Crown Court.
District Judge Marie Mallon decided to remand him in custody but warned those in the public gallery that they would be removed if they continued to disrupt the peace.
Connor Stokes, 26, of Thornaby, Teesside, denied using unlawful force and was remanded in custody after the court heard he was a “significant participant” in the disorder.
Mr Tame told the court that Mr Stokes, who was wearing a grey tracksuit and a black face covering, had been identified by police as one of the stone-throwing protesters.
Mr Stokes shouted “see you soon” to his family as he was remanded in custody by District Judge Helen Cousins.
Possession of assault weapons
Ethan Bowes, 18, blew a kiss to his mother and father as he was charged with violent disorder and possession of indecent weapons.
The suspect, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, pleaded not guilty to possession of a sharp stone, possession of a sock “containing a heavy object” and violent disorder.
The teenager, wearing a black Nike T-shirt, was told he would be remanded in custody. Judge Mallon said: “These offences are too serious to be dealt with in this court and should be heard in the Crown Court.”
She told the suspect he had to appear on August 27 for a preliminary hearing.
Ashley Ferguson, 33, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, is alleged to have brandished a baton at police “in a threatening manner”.
Mr Ferguson has pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been remanded in custody until August 27, when he is due to appear in court.
Jamie Bullock, 20, appeared in court charged with involvement in an incident where a burning wheelie bin was pushed at police.
He is said to have been involved in the incident. Prosecutor John Garside said the suspect “attended the scene wearing gloves and a balaclava”.
Mr Bullock, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.
The court heard he “maintains he did nothing wrong at all – he was offered a lift home in a van”.
He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 27.
Police ‘used leg clamps’
Jamie Govan, 26, who allegedly shouted abuse and kicked at police during the disturbance in Middlesbrough, was also taken into custody. He denied a charge of violent disorder.
Garside said Govan was accused of shouting at officers: “You protect them while they rape and murder children”, before making “encouraging gestures” with his hands.
The court heard he allegedly waved his arms and kicked his legs at police, who “resorted to using leg locks”.
Mr Govan “appears to have done nothing wrong”, a district judge was told.
The suspect was remanded in custody until his next court hearing on August 27.
Lewis Loughlin, 23, from Middlesbrough, was taken into custody after he denied using or threatening to use unlawful force during riots in the city.
Mr Tame said Mr Loughlin was in a green car which appeared to be involved in the disturbance.
Inside they found an empty gasoline can, a baseball bat, knives and tools.
Mr Loughlin claimed he was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and had nothing to do with the violence.
Judge Cousins remanded him in custody until his next appearance on August 27.