Two boys, 12, admit violent disorder during unrest

At Teeside Crown Court, a 22-year-old man was jailed for 26 months after throwing a vacuum cleaner through the window of student house.

Thomas Roger, who was also seen throwing bricks at police, admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon during a 1,000-strong protest in Middlesbrough on 4 August.

The court heard the landlord of the property said: “I feel angry and disappointed with the thugs, especially the idiot with the Hoover.”

Meanwhile in Southampton, a scaffolder was jailed for 12 months after taking a knuckle-duster to an anti-immigration protest.

Lee James, 42, of Southampton, admitted to possessing the weapon during a demonstration in the city.

Prosecutor Richard Onslow said James had taken the knuckle-duster out of his van to the protest “on a whim” and told police it was for his protection.

Southampton Crown Court heard James was later recorded in a video interview at the protest being “very blasé about waving it around his hands as he spoke”.

Sentencing James, judge Christopher Parker KC said: “You chose to go along to take part in the protest, but you also chose to take with you a knuckle-duster whose only purpose can be to cause injury to other human beings.”