Men admit violent disorder after Sunderland riot

A mugshot of Riley Adey, who has brown hair,  and Reece Greenwood, an older man with light cropped hair.Image source, Northumbria Police
Image caption,

Riley Adey and Reece Greenwood will be sentenced next week

  • Published

Two more men have admitted violent disorder following the unrest in Sunderland.

Riley Adey, 19, and Reece Greenwood, 31, both pleaded guilty to the offence at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The pair, both from Washington, have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on 14 August.

So, far 18 people have been arrested in connection with Friday's disorder.

Det Ch Insp Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police, said the force would "come down hard on anyone who causes such unrest".

Six people in total have pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the disturbance in the city.

They, along with 16 other suspects, have been remanded in custody.

Image source, Northumbria Police
Image caption,

A total of 18 people have been arrested in connection with the riot in Sunderland

The latest convictions come after police executed arrest warrants in Washington, following intelligence which included footage of Adey.

It showed the 19-year-old standing on top of an upturned vehicle after it had been set alight, Northumbria Police said.

Image source, Northumbria Police
Image caption,

Video footage caught Adey standing on top of an upturned car

Det Ch Insp Graeme Barr said: "The behaviour demonstrated by these two individuals put a lot of people’s safety at risk – and we simply will not tolerate it.

"There is no place for this type of criminality in our communities and we will come down hard on anyone who causes such unrest."

Image source, Northumbria Police
Image caption,

Two suspects were arrested at addresses in Washington following the riots in Sunderland

It was feared further disorder would break out in the city on Wednesday leading to the Sunderland Empire Theatre cancelling shows and businesses closing early.

Police forces in north-east England have been using dispersal orders in an attempt to stop further riots.

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