Teen, 18, who left his bingo birthday party to join riots and thug who pelted egg at cops are jailed
A TEEN who left his 18th birthday party to join riots and a thug who pelted cops with eggs have been jailed.
Bobby Shirbon, 18, and Kieron Gatenby, 19, unleashed violent carnage a far-right riot in Hartlepool on Wednesday last week.
They were both jailed at Teesside Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.
Shirbon was seen hurling bottles and chunks of wood at cops after leaving his 18th birthday party at a bingo hall to join the riot.
The teen yob was also seen smashing windows and causing damage in the Teesside town.
When he was collared by cops, Shirbon told them: “It’s OK, everyone else is doing it.”
Shirbon has now been jailed for two years and six months after admitting his role in the riots.
Gatenby also joined the far right mob for up to an hour to chant racial slurs and attack cops.
The 19-year-old was seen on CCTV hurling a missile at riot cops in the Teesside town.
He has been jailed for a year and four months after also pleading guilty.
Assistant Chief Constable David Felton: “Over the last week officers have been faced with extremely challenging situations.
“They involved individuals who had nothing else in mind but the intent to cause violence.
“Seven days on those set on committing serious violence have been arrested, charged and now sentenced by the court.
“This sends a very firm message to anyone continuing to think of committing sheer violence.
Cleveland Police cop Felton added: “Our investigation remains ongoing.
“I want to encourage members of the public to keep reporting information – no matter how small you think it might be.”
North East CPS chief Christopher Atkinson said: “The tough sentences handed out today should serve as a lesson for anyone considering taking part in this type of disorder across the North East.
“This show of violence on the streets of Hartlepool instilled fear in local residents and caused damage to local businesses.
“I would like to praise the excellent work of Cleveland Police in dealing with this disorder.
“In addition to their brave response to a particularly difficult situation they have also secured key evidence against multiple offenders.
“This has assisted us greatly in building such robust cases against those involved.
“We will continue to work closely with our police partners, responding swiftly and robustly to any activity which threatens the safety of the communities we serve.
“Our message is clear: we stand ready to secure convictions and push for the strongest possible sentences against anyone involved in violent unrest.
“Those foolish enough to take part in such activity will likely find themselves facing a prison sentence and a permanent criminal record for their efforts.”
SENIOR MOMENT
Britain’s’ oldest rioter was also jailed yesterday after tossing bricks at cops and wielding a bat during last week’s violence.
William Morgan, 69, was one of dozens of violent rioters across the UK jailed as cops cracked down on a week of carnage.
Some 400 people have since been arrested, with more than 100 charged as thugs appear in court today to be sentenced.
Ryan Sheers, 29, was bitten by a police dog that pulled down his shorts during rioting in Hartlepool.
He has now been locked up for two years and two months.
Daniel McGuire, 45, who spat at police officers while on TV, was today sentenced to 32-months at Plymouth Crown Court.
Carl Holliday, 30, of Tankerville Street, Hartlepool, was jailed for two years and eight months after the court heard he “repeatedly threw metal sheeting” at police during riots in the town.
Duncan McReddie, defending Holliday, said he was a chronic alcoholic with no extreme political or racist views, but had heard the commotion while drinking a few streets away and “joined in”.
The UK’s oldest rioter, retired welder Morgan, was arrested during rioting that saw a public library burned down in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Sentencing Morgan to 32 months, Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary said: “You are 69 years of age now, but your advancing years did not stop you from taking part.”
He pleaded guilty on Monday.
The court heard Morgan told police a wooden cosh he was holding was “for his own protection” after he was arrested.
Prosecutor Christopher Taylor said the thug dropped the weapon as he was charged by multiple officers, before “kicking out and swearing” as they tried to handcuff him on the floor.
Footage played to the court showed Morgan screaming “f****** a***holes, I’m f***ing 70 mate” at officers as they attempted to detain him.
As fireworks were shot at cops in the background, Morgan yelled: “I’m gonna die here. I’m English, I’m English.
“Get off me. I’m f***ing 70 years of age.
“F*** off, you c***, f*** off. You’re gonna kill me.”
An officer then asks: “Why are you here, why are you in a riot man?”
Morgan replies: “I’m trying to go home. F***s sake. I appreciate what you’re doing.”
He then told officers he was in the area “because I live here”, adding: “You don’t know what I have been through. I’ve been pepper sprayed.”
Mitigating, Paul Lewis told the court Morgan had “no experience” of prison, was “profoundly” sorry and was influenced by drinking on the day of the riots.
Full timeline as violent riots sweep across Britain
Monday, July 29
Three young girls are stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop in Southport.
Tuesday, July 30
Police vans are set on fire as cops clash with rioters outside a mosque in Southport.
Shocking footage shows bottles and bricks being thrown at cops as other projectiles hurtled through the air.
Wednesday, July 31
Riots spread to Hartlepool and Manchester on Wednesday, where a number of arrests are made.
Footage showed multiple stand-offs between officers and hundreds of thugs.
Hundreds also gather outside Downing Street in a protest promoted by Tommy Robinson.
Arrests are also made at the Cenotaph.
Thursday, August 1
Chilling footage emerges showing showing a thug punching a “black or ethnic” man in the face as Hartlepool again erupts into violence.
Yobs are also seen torching a police car and hurling bricks at cops.
Friday, August 2
A police station erupts into flames after rioting thugs torch cars and attack cops in another night of carnage.
Eight people are arrested and three police officers taken to hospital after an outburst of terrifying violence in Sunderland.
Saturday, August 3
Battles break out across at least nine cities as angry thugs ransack shops.
Huge groups of rioters descend on Liverpool, Manchester, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Hull, Blackpool, Bristol, Belfast Stoke, Nottingham and Leeds.
Looters are pictured grabbing wine bottles, shoes and phones from the shelves of high street shops after brazen yobs smashed windows and started fires.
Sunday, August 4
A migrant hotel in Rotherham is petrol bombed by rioters, with footage also showing masked yobs kicking out windows
Another Holiday Inn where asylum seekers are thought to stay is petrol bombed in Tamworth, Staffordshire, as those inside watched through windows.
Monday, August 5
Riots break out in Plymouth,. Birmingham, Darlington and Belfast.
In Burnley, gravestones in a Muslim cemetery are vandalised in what the town’s council leader called an “evil act” by “heinous individuals”.
Sunday, August 6
Dozens of protesters are hauled before courts and convicted over their involvement in the riots.
Meanwhile, a war of words breaks out between Elon Musk and Sir Keir Starmer after the former criticises British cops