A teenager from Darlington who threw rocks at police during planned disorder at a mosque has been jailed
Cole Stewart, who is 18, joined about 30 people who chanted racist far right slogans at Muslims during a stand-off with police last week.
Trouble flared on Gladstone Street in the town last Monday (August 5) following a weekend of racist riots in the region and across the country.
Teesside Crown Court heard Stewart “celebrated” after throwing missiles at police.
This morning (Monday, August 12) Stewart’s barrister Gary Wood withdrew a request for a trial of issue over whether his client’s action were racially motivated.
Mr Wood said: "The gravity of the offending up and down the country has been such that only immediate custodial sentences have been passed.
"I understand the court will wish to pass deterrent sentences and this offending does cross the custody threshold."
Mr Wood said if the sentence could not be suspended he asked for it to be as lenient as possible.
He said his client suffered from PTSD as a result of a difficult childhood with time spent in care and had mental health issues including ADHD.
Mr Wood, referred to a pre-sentence report which said he was “vulnerable to exploitation”.
Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced Stewart to 18 months custody in a young offenders' institute.
Judge Laird said: "The effect has been widespread anxiety and fear in communities.
"The Muslim community took additional measures to protect their mosque.
"This was a planned incident and it involves sustained unlawful activity.
"It also involved serious acts of violence.
"You chose to take part in an act of public disorder.”
Get more from The Northern Echo and stay informed with subscription. Click here to find out more.
Most read:
- Plans submitted for demolition of 'unsustainable' North East council homes
- Major housing approved despite concerns over ‘ludicrous’ traffic plan
- Hefty sentences imposed as swift justice is meted out to North East rioters
The judge said Stewart was at the forefront and the purpose was to target a mosque with police officers attacked.
He said: “The Muslim community in Darlington was in fear for their own personal safety and the place in which they worship.
"The public in Darlington and the wider community are rightly outraged."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here