A 32-year-old man who “encouraged violence” during far-right protests in Sunderland last month has become the first adult to admit a charge of riot.
Kieran Usher, from the Hendon area of Sunderland, was seen on CCTV donning a face covering before encouraging others to participate in violence in Sunderland city centre on 2 August.
He was also seen throwing a missile at nearby police, a previous court hearing was told.
Usher, 32, was later also caught on camera as part of a large mob throwing missiles at officers.
He has been remanded in custody after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of riot.
Usher is due to be sentenced on 27 September and could face up to 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the charge.
A protest in Sunderland city centre following the Southport stabbings. Pic: PA
Violent protests broke out across the country last month as far-right groups clashed with police over the Southport attack which saw three girls stabbed to death while taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The riots came following a wave of disinformation, spread largely by far-right accounts on social media, surrounding the identity of the Southport suspect – who it was wrongly claimed was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.
Riot is a more serious charge than violent disorder, which most other defendants from the recent nationwide trouble have faced.
Sophie Allinson Howells, defending, told Judge Tim Gittens Usher had learning difficulties and asked for time to allow his GP records to be accessed.
The judge told Usher: “You have pleaded guilty to a very serious offence.
“You will receive a lot of credit for entering a guilty plea today.”
After the hearing, Christopher Atkinson, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East, said: “It is clear from the evidence in this case that Usher played an active role in the mob violence that unfolded on the streets of Sunderland.
“He was filmed working with a group of at least twenty other people to rain missiles on to attending police officers.
“The co-ordinated and unlawful violence carried out by the group in this incident, the severity of which forced police to temporarily retreat from the assault, made a charge of riot wholly appropriate in this case.
“The events of that evening also created immeasurable fear for Sunderland residents, with significant damage caused to local businesses.”
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Usher was the first adult to be charged with riot, following a 15-year-old boy, also from Sunderland, having had his violent disorder charge upgraded to riot.
The disorder in Sunderland saw hundreds gather for a march through the city centre which then splintered off towards a mosque where officers in riot gear who were protecting it came under sustained attack.
Trouble continued late into the evening, with more attacks on police in the city centre, including having beer barrels thrown at them, fire extinguishers set off in their faces, a car set on fire, a vape shop being looted and a Citizens’ Advice Bureau being torched.
Yobs also tried to rip out gravestones from Sunderland’s historic Minster to break up and use as missiles.