Man looted vape shop during city centre riot

Paul Stoddart admitted violent disorder and burglary

A man who looted a vape shop during one of last summer's city centre riots has been jailed for two years and two months.

Paul Stoddart, 36, was one of a number of people who broke into the shop in Sunderland on 2 August 2024 and stole £42,000 worth of stock, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He also kicked a broken window during the widespread disorder, which was one of a number of anti-immigration protests around the country to turn violent after three girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport.

Stoddart, from Sunderland, admitted violent disorder and burglary.

Violence erupted in Sunderland after a protest march descended into chaos, with dozens of police officers attacked along with buildings and cars, prosecutor Omar Ahmad said.

Stoddart, whose extensive criminal history included dishonesty and violence, was seen on CCTV kicking at the broken windows of a building on Keel Square, the court heard.

He and others then broke into a nearby vape shop with Stoddart captured by cameras entering the stockroom and talking vapes from shelves, Mr Ahmad said.

'Everything kicked off'

More than £42,000 worth of stock was stolen with the total impact of the burglary, including repair work and loss of trade, reckoned to be more than £80,000, the court heard.

Police identified Stoddart, of Ridley Terrace in Hendon, from CCTV and arrested him at his home on 31 November, the court heard.

He told officers he had "got dragged into it" when "everything kicked off" and he was ashamed of his actions.

In mitigation, the court heard he had an alcohol problem and was drunk at the time.