Suspects in the riots in Darlington, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool

Dozens of people have been arrested and charged with offences related to the widespread unrest that broke out following the fatal knife attacks on young girls in Southport last month.

Following the violence in Middlesbrough on August 4, Cleveland police continue to make arrests, including an 11-year-old boy.

The defendants also appeared in court charged with offences relating to the violent riots in Hartlepool on 31 July and in Darlington on 5 August.

Police raids

On Wednesday, dozens of officers took part in a series of raids across Cleveland Police's jurisdiction, targeting suspects in the Middlesbrough riots.

An 11-year-old was among the 14 people arrested as more than 50 officers targeted suspects identified after hours of reviewing video surveillance footage.

Senior officials described the unrest as the worst they had seen in their 30 years of experience, with pensioners forced to barricade themselves in their homes and frightened families afraid to leave their homes.

Dozens of people were arrested immediately after the riots in Middlesbrough, but more suspects were arrested on the streets during Operation Macadamia.

Superintendent Marc Anderson described the riots as the worst he had experienced during his career as a police officer.

He added: “What the community had to endure that day was shocking.”

Cleveland Police arrested a number of suspected rioters from Middlesbrough during Operation Macadamia (Image: Newsquest)

Eight arrest teams were given individual targets as raids were carried out across the Middlesbrough and Redcar area this morning to arrest those suspected of being responsible for the carnage.

The latest arrests came more than three weeks after the city center went up in flames.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robinson said: “We have been out and about arresting those suspected of being involved in the disturbances in Middlesbrough.

“The investigation is ongoing. We have thousands of hours of video footage to review. So the message is very clear: if you were involved in the riots, you will be identified, you will be arrested and you will be brought to justice.”

Court hearings on Tuesday

A further number of people arrested in connection with the riots in Middlesbrough have appeared in court charged with violent disorder and weapons offences.

During the day, around 20 defendants appeared before Judge Francis Laird KC to face charges relating to the widespread unrest on Sunday 4 August at Teesside Crown Court.

Among those charged was the youngest defendant, aged 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons. He pleaded guilty to inciting violence but denied the charge of possessing a sharp object.

James Bullock and 28-year-old Joseph Mackenzie from Darlington were among the first group of defendants to appear before the judge in Courtroom 1.

Police resist protesters during riots in Middlesbrough (Image: The Northern Echo)

Mackenzie, of Skeldale Grove, Darlington, and 20-year-old Bullock, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, both pleaded not guilty to violent conduct.

They were both remanded in custody until September 26 and must then appear for another case hearing.

The Teesside teenager appeared in the next group of defendants alongside Paul Sizer, Arfan Magid and Ashley Ferguson.

Sizer, 40, of Bramcote Way, Thornaby, and Ferguson, 33, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, both pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody until September 26.

Magid, 18, of Byland Street, Middlesbrough, however, was not asked to enter a plea until his court date next month.

A car burns during riots in Middlesbrough

Three other defendants appeared via video link from a Peterborough prison to face charges of violent disorder.

Jamie Govan, of Hartington Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was remanded in custody to be sentenced on October 2. The judge adjourned the case to allow time to prepare a preliminary sentencing report after hearing that the 26-year-old had been of good character to date.

Lewis Loughlin, 23, of Victoria Road, Middlesbrough, and 21-year-old Lennon Chisholm, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to the same charge. They will appear at the same court next month.

Next to appear was 18-year-old Ethan Bowes, of Woodhouse Road, Guisborough, who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. The court heard he had a metal cannabis grinder in a sock when he was arrested.

Riot police on duty during the riots in Middlesbrough (Image: Contributor)

Mohammad Adam and Salim Khan were the last two defendants to appear during the morning session.

Adam, of Acton Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a scaffolding pole, in Waterloo Road, Middlesbrough. The 23-year-old was remanded in custody until September 26.

Khan, 23, of Newlands Road, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and dangerous driving and was remanded in custody until the same date.

Regan Walker was the first defendant to appear before the judge during the afternoon session.

The 23-year-old, of Saltney Road, Norton, Stockton, pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a metal bar, when he was allegedly observed with it in Park Road North, Middlesbrough.

He was remanded in custody until next month.

Jonathan Lodge and Akheel Khan were the next two defendants in court.

Lodge, 36, of Coatham Road, Redcar, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, while Khan, 24, of Wheatley Close, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to the same charge. Both were remanded in custody until September 26.

The final defendant was Connor Stokes, aged 26, of Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby, who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder. He was remanded in custody for a further four weeks.

Court hearings on Thursday

Other people accused of causing riots in Darlington, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool have been brought to court.

The three separate riots in the region occurred after young girls were stabbed to death in Stockport late last month.

At Teesside Crown Court, a large number of defendants are currently appearing before Judge Francis Laird KC, while Cleveland Police continue to make arrests.

First up was Evan Wilkins-Doyle, who admitted taking part in the violent riots on Murray Street, Hartlepool, on July 31, when hundreds of people caused damage to homes and businesses.

The 19-year-old, of The Spinney, Hartlepool, was remanded in custody to allow time to complete a pre-sentence report before being sentenced on October 17.

Cleveland police officers confronted by rioters in Hartlepool (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Judge Laird said: “You have pleaded guilty to violent disorder and, as I understand it, you indicate that your involvement was limited.”

“Your lawyer will put it in writing and submit it to the court, and it will be reviewed. It is likely that it will be accepted, but I can't give you any guarantees.”

The next case involved Adbul Rahman, who was arrested following the riots in Darlington on 5 August.

The 47-year-old, of Pendower Street, Darlington, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until September 26, when he will next appear in court.

The next defendant, Karl Croaker, pleaded not guilty to the violent disorder charge but indicated he would plead guilty to a public order offence arising from his conduct in Middlesbrough on 4 August.

The 31-year-old, of Longford Street in Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody until September 29 so that prosecutors can decide whether or not to accept the plea.

Jake Wray was next to appear in court and pleaded guilty to causing violent disorder in Middlesbrough city centre on August 4.

The court heard the 23-year-old, of Seaton Street, Middlesbrough, was serving a suspended sentence at the time of the offence.

At an earlier hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court, prosecutors said he had approached motorists at a junction and asked if they were “white” or, to put it another way, “English”, and the court was told: “If that was the case, he appeared to let them pass.”

Judge Laird remanded him in custody to give him time to update a criminal history report before sentencing him on September 18.