Man threw plant at police during city riots
Northumbria PoliceA man who threw a plant at the back of a police officer during a riot sparked by anti-immigration protests turning violent has been jailed for two years and three months.
Widespread disorder lasting more than six hours broke out in Sunderland on 2 August 2024 between "far right" protesters and counter factions, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Harry Farrer, 22, was behind the police line in Sunderland city centre and threw a plant, striking an officer in the back, the court heard.
He admitted violent disorder, with a judge saying it was "difficult to understand" why Farrer, who came from a mixed-race family, would get involved in the disorder.
Farrer was captured on CCTV near The Rabbit bar as part of a large crowd facing off against a line of Northumbria Police officers in riot gear, prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said.
When the police line advanced, the majority of the crowd backed away but Farrer found himself behind the officers, the court heard.
Farrer, of Sea View in Ryhope, picked up a plant that had been pulled from a pot and threw it at the back of a police officer, the prosecutor said.
Wardlaw said there had been widespread disruption, with police facing "serious and sustained levels of violence" including being bombarded with missiles, and businesses and cars were also attacked.
Northumbria Police said the carnage had cost some £1.5m to police and communities had been devastated by the violence.
'Difficult to understand'
In mitigation, the court heard Farrer had no previous convictions and had lost his job with Sunderland City Council as a result of his involvement in the disorder.
Recorder Jason Pitter KC said the violence centred around a protest between the "far right" and counter protesters which had the result of harming "community cohesion".
He said Farrer came from a family of mixed racial origin, adding: "Whichever side you are on, it makes it difficult to understand why you would involve yourself in this violent disorder."
The judge said Farrer's attack on the police was "particularly egregious" as he attacked them from the rear while they were engaged in forward-facing tactics to try and quell the violence.
