A 32-year-old man has become the first adult to be charged with the offence of “riot”, which carries a 10-year jail term. It follows a 15-year-old boy being charged with the same offence on Thursday. Both have been charged in relation to violent disorder in Sunderland on August 2. Riot is an offence that carries a minimum penalty of three years in prison rising to a 10-year jail term for the most serious offences. The Crown Prosecution Service warned that “more will be coming.”
Northumbria Police said on Friday that Kieran Usher has been charged with riot in connection with disorder in Sunderland city centre on August 2. It followed the force’s announcement that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday. The teenager appeared in court on Thursday, and his case was adjourned following what a district judge called a “surprise” charging decision.
Usher, 32, of Sunderland, was arrested on Thursday and is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, the force said. Gale Gilchrist, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “This defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot.” He will appear alongside 58-year-old David Hann, who is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence.
Alleged rioters also continue to be brought before the courts, with further hearings due to take place in cities and towns such as Liverpool, Hull, and Merthyr Tydfil. Far-right rallies and violence broke out in parts of the UK following the killing of three young girls in Southport after false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in Britain by boat.
Elsewhere, Andrew McIntyre pleaded not guilty to charges of encouraging murder, encouraging violent disorder, and possession of a bladed article at Liverpool Crown Court. Charges of stirring up racial hatred also continue to be brought before the courts across the country.
In Hull, a man who looted cosmetics chain Lush during riots in the city is due to be sentenced for violent disorder, burglary, and racially aggravated criminal damage. John Honey’s sentencing hearing was previously adjourned after claims he asked a prison probation officer “if he wanted his autograph as he is famous and is all over social media.”
Wayne O’Rourke is due to appear at Lincoln Crown Court on charges of stirring up racial hatred. In Merthyr Tydfil, Geraint Boyce and Daffron Williams are due to be sentenced for publishing threatening material on a Facebook account intending to stir up religious hatred.