Man who tried to fight riot police jailed

Paul Williams was jailed for 26 months

A man who tried to fight police officers during violent disorder in Sunderland has been jailed.

Paul Williams squared up to officers, tore off his shirt and threw objects including a metal fence at police on the night of 2 August, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The 45-year-old admitted violent disorder and was jailed for two years and two months.

The court heard violence broke out in the city after about 700 people gathered to protest against immigration.

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad said it "simply wasn't safe" for ordinary members of the public to be out in Sunderland that night and multiple police officers were attacked and injured.

Williams, of Esdale in Sunderland, was seen on police footage "aggressively attacking" and rushing at officers as well as throwing missiles at them, Mr Ahmad said.

He was heard shouting "howay do you want some" and "put your shields down, let's go" while adopting a boxing stance, the court heard.

Arrested several days later, Williams said he "retaliated" after a police officer pushed him first, the court heard.

'Orgy of destruction'

In mitigation, Sophie Allinson-Howells said Williams had gone out to get a takeaway while drunk and "was entirely unaware of the basis for what started this unrest which was issues of immigration policy".

She said he had no political opinions and was "not anti-police", adding he had had "jovial" conversations with officers that night before turning violent.

Ms Allinson-Howells urged Judge Paul Sloan KC to suspend a prison sentence as his being jailed would harm his children.

But the judge said Williams and others "brought shame upon the city of Sunderland" and, for no justifiable reason, took part in an "orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder".

He said right-thinking members of Williams' own community were "left in shock and fear", and anyone taking part encouraged others to take part in the "mayhem".

The judge said Williams was deliberately trying to provoke police.