First man to admit rioting after summer disorder jailed for four years

A man who was the first in the country to admit a charge of rioting after widespread disorder over the summer has been jailed for four years and four months. Kieran Usher, 32, from Hendon, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to the charge at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month. The court were previously shown CCTV evidence of Usher wearing a face-covering before encouraging others to participate in violence and throwing a missile at nearby police.

He was later captured on camera as part of a large mob throwing missiles at officers. Riot carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and is a more serious charge than violent disorder, which most other defendants from the recent nationwide trouble have faced. Judge Tim Gittins took into account that Usher, who has learning difficulties, made full admissions to police and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.



After he pleaded guilty, Christopher Atkinson, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East, said: “It is clear from the evidence in this case that Usher played an active role in the mob violence that unfolded on the streets of Sunderland.”.