First disorder trial ends with mixed verdicts

The first trial of four men over rioting in Middlesbrough has ended with mixed verdicts.

Joseph McKenzie, 28, was found guilty of violent disorder by jurors at Teesside Crown Court for his part in the clashes between protestors and police on 4 August.

He was remanded into custody to be sentenced in January.

Anthony Brown, 38, and Kaleb Peacock-Lightfoot, 20, were both found not guilty of violent disorder, while charges were previously dropped against Christopher Howard, 42.

A number of people have already been jailed for their involvement in the disorder, which broke out when an anti-immigration protest march turned violent.

It was one of a series of riots across the country in the wake of the killing of three children in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

McKenzie, of Skeldale Grove in Darlington, was said by prosecutors to be at the forefront of a group throwing missiles at police and is due to be sentenced on 20 January.

Mr Brown, of Windsor Road in Middlesbrough, was also found not guilty of assaulting an emergency worker.

Mr Peacock-Lightfoot, of Dixon Grove in Middlesbrough, was the final defendant to have his verdict declared.

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