Men Sentenced for Police Confrontation at Protest

A couple involved in a violent protest in Hartlepool has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison after admitting to charges of violent disorder. Their lawyer argued that the men, both gay and lifelong residents of Hartlepool, had encountered the protest by chance while attempting to return home, expressing their disdain for right-wing ideology and prejudice. The incident occurred on July 31, when Cleveland Police became aware of social media posts targeting addresses believed to house asylum seekers. Prosecutor Rachel Masters described the scene, highlighting that one of the men, identified as Mailen, was a primary instigator of the violence, actively inciting the crowd against police officers for over ten minutes. The court heard that it took multiple officers to restrain him, despite his previously unblemished record as a school governor and postmaster. Both men expressed remorse for their actions, admitting to being "cheeky" to police while under the influence of alcohol. Mailen acknowledged that he should have complied with police orders, while his partner, Sheers, reacted after witnessing Mailen being struck with a baton, leading to a moment of heightened emotion. Judge Francis Laird KC condemned their behavior as "truly disgraceful," emphasizing the chaos they contributed to during the protests. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster noted the profound impact of the protests on local communities, stating that the unprecedented levels of violence and aggression faced by officers had left many residents feeling shame about their town's reputation.