Riot accused deny Middlesbrough disorder offences

Vehicles were set alight during a night of violence in Middlesbrough

A number of people have denied offences linked to disorder which hit Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Cleveland Police said 28 people aged between 16 and 56 would face magistrates on Tuesday following violent riots in the town centre over the weekend.

Thomas Rodgers, 22, was among the first to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court and admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard he was part of a group throwing rocks at police and, when arrested, told officers he would "do it again" and he hoped their children would "get raped".

Rodgers, of no fixed abode, sat with his head hung as he was remanded in custody for sentencing.

Arfan Magid, 18, of Byland Street in Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to the possession of a metal pole and a wooden bat but denied a charge of violent disorder.

Stacey Vint, 34, of Normanby Road in Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to unlawful violence and being in possession of cannabis.

The court heard she had been seen pushing a wheelie bin on fire towards a row of police officers.

Jonathan Ambrose, 33, of Letitia House in Middlesbrough, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing cannabis.

They have been remanded in custody for sentencing.

However, a large number have pleaded not guilty at hearings held throughout Tuesday.

They include:

• A 26-year-old man who denied unlawful violence

• A 28-year-old man who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder

• An 18-year-old man who pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing an offensive weapon and one of unlawful violence

• A 16-year-old boy who pleaded not guilty to possession of a weapon and entered no plea to a charge of unlawful violence

• A 40-year-old man who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder

• A 20-year-old man who denied a charge of unlawful violence

• A 20-year-old man who denied a charge of unlawful violence

• A 23-year-old man who pleaded not guilty to unlawful violence and possession of an offensive weapon

• A 23-year-old man who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder

• A 21-year-old man pleaded not guilty to unlawful violence

• A 53-year-old man pleaded not guilty to unlawful violence

• A 19-year-old man pleaded not guilty to unlawful violence

All will appear before Teesside Crown Court on 27 August.

A further six men aged between 24 and 41 and charged with violent disorder, did not enter pleas.

A 36-year-old man admitted possessing cannabis.

They will appear before Teesside Crown Court on 28 August.

Five other people, aged between 20 and 56, had their cases adjourned to Teesside Crown Court for a plea and trial hearing.

Four other adults and seven young people arrested over the Middlesbrough disorder have been released on bail pending further enquiries, with another in hospital due to a pre-existing medical condition.

With additional reporting by Cara Thorpe and Phil Connell.