by A company director appeared in court on Tuesday, covering his eyes with a handkerchief, as he was told he would be remanded in custody for his alleged role in Sunday’s riot in Middlesbrough.
Joe MacKenzie, 28, is accused of being among a main body of about 20 men wearing balaclavas and face coverings who clashed with police during violent disorder in the city.
He is one of 28 people who appeared at Teesside magistrates court on Tuesday in connection with the disorder.
The people who appeared in court are between 16 and 56 years old.
Twenty-six people have been charged with violent disorder, one 18-year-old adult was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and another, 32-year-old, was charged after being wanted on a warrant.
40 arrests have now been made in relation to the disorder in Middlesbrough.
Four adults have been released on bail pending further enquiries, one remains in hospital due to a pre-existing medical condition and seven youths have been released on bail pending enquiries.
Mr MacKenzie, from Darlington, began to cry as he sat next to a dock officer as Chris Tame, prosecuting, gave a brief account of the case against him.
Mr Tame said: “The defendant was arrested on suspicion of throwing objects, attacking the police during the day and shouting expletives. He was seen drinking from a can of lager.”
The defendant denies using or threatening unlawful violence
Mr MacKenzie, a director in his father’s kitchen and bathroom business, denies using or threatening unlawful violence and will appear at Teesside Crown Court on a date to be fixed.
Nick Woodhouse applied for bail on behalf of Mr MacKenzie, claiming he went into Middlesbrough town center “out of curiosity”.
Mr Woodhouse told the court: “Mr Mackenzie was trying to leave the town center and go back to his car but found his way blocked by a police cordon.
“He was told he would have to walk about two miles back to his vehicle, which would be difficult as he has a club foot.”
Mr Woodhouse also said Mr MacKenzie was concerned his family business would fail if he spent more time in prison awaiting trial, but he would be remanded in custody.
Thomas Rogers, 22 years old, of no fixed address, was also present in court, who threw rocks at the police and demanded: “I hope your children are raped.”
Mr Rogers was remanded in custody awaiting sentencing after he admitted possessing an offensive weapon – the rocks – and using or threatening unlawful violence.
The court heard he was in a group of 30 people taunting police during the riot on Sunday.
He later told officers: “I’m glad I threw the rocks.”
Teenager accused of carrying an axe
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of carrying an ax during the mayhem. He is charged with unlawful violence and carrying an offensive weapon.
He spoke in court to confirm his date of birth and address. He was accompanied by a dock officer.
He pleaded not guilty to the weapons offense but did not plead to the other charge.
Andrew Livingston, 53, of Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, denied violent disorder and pleaded no contest to a further charge of possessing a 46cm bladed article.
Mr Livingston, heavily tattooed and wearing a white vest, stared at the ceiling as he was told he would be remanded in custody until August 27 when he will appear at Teesside Crown Court again.
District Judge Marie Mallon remanded him in custody while warning people talking in the public gallery that they would be removed from office if they continued to disturb them.
Connor Stokes, 26, from Thornaby, Tees, denied unlawful violence and was remanded in custody after the court heard he was a “principal participant” in the disorder.
Mr Tame told the court that Mr Stokes, who was wearing a gray tracksuit and a black face covering, had been identified by police as one of a group of rock-throwing protesters.
Mr Stokes shouted “I’ll see you in a bit” to his family as he was remanded in custody by District Judge Helen Cousins.
Possession of offensive weapons
Ethan Bowes, 18, blew a kiss to his mother and father as he faced charges of violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
The defendant, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, pleaded not guilty to possession of a sharp rock, a sock “containing a heavy object” and violent disorder.
The teenager, who was dressed in a black Nike T-shirt, was told he would be remanded in custody. Judge Mallon said: “These offenses are too serious to be tried in this court and must be heard at the Crown Court.”
She told the defendant that he must appear on August 27 for a preliminary hearing.
Ashley Ferguson, 33, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, allegedly swung a pole at police “in a threatening manner”.
Mr Ferguson pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon and was remanded in custody until August 27 when he will appear at crown court.
Jamie Bullock, 20, appeared in court accused of having a hand in an incident in which a burning wheelie bin was pushed at police.
He was said to be involved in the incident, and prosecutor John Garside told the court that the accused “visited the scene wearing gloves and a balaclava”.
Mr Bullock, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.
The court heard he “maintains he did nothing wrong – he was offered a lift in a van”.
He was remanded in custody until he appears at the crown court on August 27.
Police ‘into use foot restraints’
Jamie Govan, 26, who allegedly shouted profanities and was kicked out by police during the disorder in Middlesbrough, was also remanded in custody. He denied a charge of violent disorder.
Mr Garside said Mr Govan is accused of shouting: “You are protecting them as they rape and kill children”, at officers before making “come gestures with his hands”.
The court heard he allegedly twisted his arms and kicked his legs out at police who were “difficult to use leg restraints”.
Mr Govan says he “did nothing wrong”, a district judge was told.
The defendant was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on August 27.
Lewis Loughlin, 23, from Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody after denying the use or threat of unlawful violence over the town’s riots.
Mr Tame said Mr Loughlin stopped in a green car which appeared to be associated with the disorder.
Inside they found an empty petrol can, a bat, knives and tools.
Mr Loughlin said he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and had nothing to do with the violence.
He was remanded in custody by Judge Cousins until his next appearance on August 27.
