A mother-of-six who threw a brick at police in “truly disgraceful” violence during the UK riots has been jailed.
Donna Conniff was sentenced to two years after she was identified from CCTV and video footage of the disorder in Hartlepool on 31 July.
The 40-year-old was seen hurling a brick and a rock towards a line of police officers and was later arrested on 13 August, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Conniff, dressed all in black and wearing sunglasses, was also seen handing a brick to a juvenile who threw it in the direction of police – and was part of a crowd who surged towards officers.
She was also seen joining in with cheers as missiles were thrown.
Judge Francis Laird KC accepted that Conniff, who earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was remorseful but said a custodial sentence was the correct course of action.
He said: “Your behaviour and the behaviour of others around you was truly disgraceful.”
As she was led out of the dock, Conniff, of Alford Court in Hartlepool, shouted “love you” to family members in the public gallery.
Teenager threw chair at police
A 19-year-old man who threw a chair at police and yelled “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” outside a hotel which was housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and eight months.
Niven Matthewman was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court over violent disorder on 4 August in Rotherham.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said Matthewman was part of an “ignorant mob” who participated in racist disorder, and the incident was “extremely frightening for anyone who was there”.
The court heard how 58 police officers were injured as a result of the disorder, alongside three police dogs and a police horse.
Man jailed for violent disorder in Whitehall
A 67-year-old man has been jailed for 20 months after chanting “you’re not English anymore” at police officers during a demonstration in Whitehall, central London.
David Notley, of Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forest, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and causing religiously aggravated distress.
Inner London Crown Court heard Notley confronted police in a “fighting pose” on 31 July – and helped push another demonstrator into an officer which “precipitated a physical confrontation involving the police (and) demonstrators”.
Home renovator ‘spread hate’
A self-employed home renovator has been jailed for his role in violent disorder outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.
Nathan Palmer was on the “front line” of a large mob which became increasingly violent towards police, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
The 29-year-old, from Rotherham, grabbed a police shield which was then passed around after an officer fell during the unrest on 4 August, the hearing was told.
Palmer, who had previously admitted violent disorder, was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail. He was told by the judge how he had been “spreading hate” with his conduct.
Palmer was on licence for a drugs offence when he took part in the mob attack on the hotel where a fire was started – and had attended after he saw details on social media.
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Hundreds of prison places released to deal with rioters
Man jailed after throwing paving stone at police
A man who threw a paving stone at police after getting “carried away” during riots in Sunderland has been jailed for 26 months.
Dean Groenewald, 32, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting one count of violent disorder at a previous hearing.
The court heard that Groenewald was filmed throwing the paving stone at Keel Square during a riot on 2 August.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
