Woman Sentenced for Attacking Officers with Fire
- Stacey Vint has been jailed for 20 months after attempting to attack police officers with a burning bin in Middlesborough.
- The aggressive act highlights increasing tensions between citizens and law enforcement.
- This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in maintaining public safety.
Stacey Vint, 34, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on Friday after her involvement in violent disorder in Middlesbrough town centre. Teesside Crown Court heard that Vint was part of a group that set a wheelie bin on fire and pushed it towards a police cordon during the chaos. She fell during the incident and was subsequently arrested. Alongside her, Charlie Bullock, 21, described as the main instigator of the unrest, received an 18-month sentence for his role in pushing against police lines and throwing stones at officers. In a separate case, another rioter, identified as Hodgson, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for her actions during riots in Sunderland. Newcastle Crown Court was informed that Hodgson, who was intoxicated, aggressively confronted police officers and threw bricks into the crowd. Witnesses reported her laughing and pointing at officers after colliding with one, which was deemed a deliberate act. Following her arrest, it was revealed that she had attempted to purchase a balaclava prior to the riots. Both cases highlight the serious consequences of participating in violent disorder, with District Judge Zoe Passfield condemning the actions as large-scale mob violence that instilled fear in the public and caused damage to local businesses. The court emphasized that there is no justification for such behavior, reflecting a broader concern over public safety during civil disturbances.