Seven defendants appeared in Teesside Magistrates’ Court for their involvement in the disorder that occurred in Hartlepool on Wednesday night. Among them, Steven Mailen and Ryan Sheers admitted to a single charge of violent disorder. The court heard that around 200 people gathered in the town center, leading to an outbreak of violence directed towards the police.
During the chaos, Mailen was seen confronting officers and gesticulating aggressively before being struck by a baton. His partner, Sheers, became emotional in court and was bitten by a police dog while trying to push through the police cordon. Both defendants, with no prior criminal record, were granted bail and are set to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on September 2.
In addition to Mailen and Sheers, five other defendants were remanded in custody for their involvement in the violent disorder. Anthony Allen and James Elliott, both from Hartlepool, faced charges related to assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder. Peter Clark, who allegedly exposed himself to the police, was also charged with violent disorder. John Barton and Dylan Wiley were accused of violent disorder, with Wiley facing an additional charge of possessing an offensive weapon.
The prosecution detailed how Barton threw bricks at the police and was arrested after being bitten by a police dog. Wiley was caught on camera throwing missiles and threatening officers with a piece of wood. All defendants denied the charges brought against them.
The emotional court confession and admission of guilt by Mailen and Sheers shed light on the events that unfolded in Hartlepool that night. Despite their claims of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and denying any involvement in causing damage to the town, their actions led to their arrest and subsequent appearance in court.
This incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of participating in violent behavior and the importance of upholding law and order in the community. The upcoming sentencing of the defendants will determine the legal repercussions they will face for their actions during the disorder in Hartlepool.
