Brothers and cousin attacked police in riots

Two brothers and their cousin attacked police together during last year's riots, a court has heard.

John and Cameron Williams, 32 and 29, and Connor Hicks, 19, were part of an angry mob carrying out widespread disorder across Sunderland in August, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Hicks filmed on his phone and shouted encouragement as his cousins threw pint glasses at lines of officers.

The trio admitted violent disorder and were each sentenced to two years and one month detention, with the brothers serving that in prison and Hicks going to a young offender institution.

The anti-immigration protest, which was planned in the aftermath of the murder of three girls in Southport, erupted into violence shortly after 16:00 BST on 2 August 2024 with hundreds of people rampaging across the city centre, prosecutor Omar Ahmad said.

Businesses were looted, cars and buildings vandalised and police officers repeatedly attacked with missiles throughout the riot, the court heard.

"It simply wasn't safe for the ordinary member of the public to be in the city centre," Mr Ahmad said, adding the "devastating" impact was still being felt by local communities.

Hicks, of Exeter Street, Sunderland, was captured on CCTV goading and shouting abuse at a line of officers, before handing a pint glass to his cousin John Williams to hurl.

Hicks filmed several clips of the action himself during which he could be heard encouraging others to attack, the court heard.

He fled into the crowd as the police line advanced, then ran back to the front and resumed his torrent of abuse when officers stopped, Mr Ahmad said.

John Williams, of Tennyson Avenue in Boldon Colliery, threw two pint glasses at police during the melee and was seen punching and kicking the window of an office building at Keel Square, the court heard.

In his police interview, he said he had been drunk and an "idiot".

Cameron Williams, of Ridley Street, Sunderland, hurled one pint glass and gestured violently at officers, Mr Ahmad said.

He later told investigators it was "meant to be a peaceful protest" and he could "vaguely recall" throwing a glass.

In a statement read to the court, Northumbria Police chief constable Vanessa Jardin said four officers had required hospital treatment, six police cars were damaged, a police office on Waterloo Place was gutted by fire and officers, dogs and horses were "ferociously attacked" with missiles, including bricks and concrete slabs.

Policing the riot had cost about £1.5m and the long-lasting impact was yet to be realised, she added.

In mitigation for Hicks, Nick Lane said the teenager, who worked laying pavestones for Sunderland City Council, had "deep and genuine shame" for his "loutish behaviour".

Helen Towers said Cameron Williams was "ashamed, disgusted and appalled" by his actions while John Williams said getting involved had been the "worst decision he ever made".

They each have two children and grew up exposed to domestic abuse, Ms Towers said.

Judge Carolyn Scott said it was an "orgy of mindless destruction" and the trio had, with others, "brought shame on the city of Sunderland".

She said those participating in "mass disorder" should expect "severe" sentences, adding "each individual act enflames and encourages others to behave in a similar fashion".

Judge Scott said the actions of three men were "disgraceful" and "deplorable".

She said the trio would serve 40% of their sentence before being released on licence.

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