Two men jailed for rioting on night of disorder

News imageNorthumbria Police A composite image of Liam Clarke and Michael McHugh. On the left, Clarke is wearing a bright orange hoodie and looking blankly into the camera. He has short black hair and a beard, and is wearing black glasses. On the right, McHugh is smiling slightly at the camera. He has very short black hair and stubble.Northumbria Police
Liam Clarke and Michael McHugh were jailed for their part in the riot

Two men have been jailed for rioting in a city centre during widespread disorder.

Sunderland saw a night of violence on 2 August 2024 and was one of several cities where riots broke out after anti-immigration protests were held in the wake of the murder of three young girls in Southport.

At Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, Liam Clarke, 25, of Spennymoor, County Durham, was sentenced to four years in prison after he admitted to rioting.

Michael McHugh, 41, of Sunderland, also pleaded guilty to riot and was handed a 40-month prison sentence.

They were both involved in unlawful violence on 2 August, the court heard.

Northumbria Police previously said up to 700 people were involved in the night of violence in the city, where police officers were repeatedly attacked, a building burnt out and businesses looted.

Violence also broke out in other areas across the country, including Hartlepool, Darlington and Middlesbrough, over several days.

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