Man who threw bottles and bricks at police jailed

Matthew Putson had admitted violent disorder and assault

A 27-year old man who has spent the majority of his adult life in prison has been sent back to jail for his part in the recent disorder in Middlesbrough.

Matthew Putson, from the town, threw bottles, stones and bricks at police lines, as well as kicking and punching a police officer on 4 August, Teesside Crown Court was told.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault at an earlier hearing.

Judge Francis Laird KC jailed him for 32 months for the violent disorder and eight months for the assault, the latter to be served concurrently.

Judge Laird said he found the violent disorder to have been racially aggravated, as Putson was part of group shouting abuse about Asian people.

The defendant denied using racist language.

The court heard Putson had 30 previous convictions, including for public disorder, battery and theft.

He will have to serve up to half of his current sentence before being released on licence.