Mother-of-six jailed for throwing brick at police

A mother-of-six who threw a brick at police during riots in Hartlepool has been jailed.

Donna Conniff was filmed throwing missiles at a line of officers on Murray Street on 31 July.

She was also seen handing a brick to a youth and was part of a crowd who surged towards a line of police.

A judge at Teesside Crown Court described the 40-year-old's actions as "truly disgraceful" and sentenced her to two years in prison after she admitted violent disorder.

The court heard how Conniff, of the town's Alford Court, had come across the unrest "by chance" at about 18:00 BST.

Martin Scarborough, defending, said she was "genuinely remorseful for her behaviour".

"She is effectively of good character and she can't believe she has acted in the way she has," he added.

"She has reflected a lot on how she has behaved, it is the first time she has been in custody."

Judge Francis Laird accepted Conniff was remorseful but said a custodial sentence was the correct action.

"You chose to take part in an organised and large-scale act of public disorder," he said.

"Police officers were attacked, members of the public have been forced to endure the devastation and chaos caused to their community.

"The public are rightly outraged."

Conniff must serve up to one half of her 24-month sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Meanwhile, a mother and daughter appeared in court charged with violent disorder following riots in Middlesbrough.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard the older woman had been walking her dog when she was caught up in the riots.

She is accused of throwing a stone at a window and damaging a car wing mirror.

Her daughter was accused of jumping on the roof of a car.

Neither entered a plea and both women were remanded in custody.

They are set to appear at Teesside Crown Court on 29 August.