(BBC) A man who threw a punch while trying to protect a mosque during disorder in Middlesbrough has been jailed along with others involved in the violence.
More than 1,000 people were estimated to have taken to the town’s streets on 4 August, days after similar violence erupted in Hartlepool, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Eight police officers were injured in Middlesbrough and houses and cars were damaged, prosecutors said.
Noman Ahmed, 24, who was part of a group of men who went out to confront the mob, admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 14 months.
Prosecutor Rachel Masters said a “peaceful protest” in Middlesbrough was advertised on social media, with crowds gathering at the Cenotaph in Linthorpe Road at about 13:45 BST.
