Sunderland rioter 'at mob forefront' jailed

Dean Groenewald had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder

A man who hurled a brick at police during the Sunderland riots has been jailed.

Dean Groenewald, 32, was captured on body-worn footage taking part in disorder which broke out in the city on 2 August.

Jailing him for two years and two months, Judge Paul Sloan KC said Groenewald, who had his hood up, was at "the forefront of a mob in front of the police lines".

Unemployed Groenewald, of no fixed address, who admitted violent disorder, has 30 previous convictions and was on licence for a previous offence at the time of the disorder, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

His past offences include affray, criminal damage and common assault.

The court was told he picked up a paving brick or stone and threw it at the police lines.

The judge said Groenewald had participated in "an orgy of violence, destruction and disorder" that had brought shame on the city of Sunderland.