Mixed pleas in Teesside disorder court appearances

Cars were set on fire during the unrest in Middlesbrough on Sunday

Several people charged with disorder across Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington have been remanded in custody after appearing in court.

Teesside Magistrates Court heard how the cases were heard "against a background of national disorder".

Among the defendants was a 21-year-old described as "the main instigator" of a large group pushing against a police line during riots in Middlesbrough.

The court heard Charlie Bullock was part of the "disorder which descended into violence" and threw stones at police who were trying to control the group on Linthorpe Road.

Bullock pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was remanded in custody until Friday, when he will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court.

A police car was burnt during the violence in Hartlepool on 31 July

A 44-year-old man charged with violent disorder over rioting in Middlesbrough on Sunday did not enter a plea, and was remanded in custody until his next hearing at crown court on August 28.

A Middlesbrough man accused of leading racial chants in Hartlepool town centre on 31 July did not enter a plea, while a 29-year-old Hartlepool man denied a charge of disorder in the town.

Both were remanded in custody until their crown court appearances on 28 August.

Darlington disorder

Two teenagers also appeared in court charged with offences in connection with disorder in Darlington on Monday.

Cole Stewart, of Victoria Road in Darlington, was accused of throwing an object which hit a police officer during the unrest.

The prosecution said the officer had felt a "sharp blow" to his wrist by an object thrown by Stewart, who was allegedly seen "celebrating with his arms in the air".

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday.

Officers worked through the night to break the disturbance

A second 18-year-old boy from Darlington was accused of using racist language and encouraging others to vandalise property while streaming it on social media.

The court heard the defendant accepted filming some of the disorder, but denied being involved in it.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on 28 August.

A 19-year-old woman pleaded not guilty to disorder in Willington, County Durham, on 5 August.

She was also remanded in custody until her crown court appearance on 28 August.