Violent thug is jailed after city centre attacks
A violent thug who launched two unprovoked attacks on passers-by in Sunderland city centre is behind bars.
Ethan McLoud, 24, is beginning a one-year jail term after violence in Vine Place and Mowbray Park between 6.45pm and 8.15pm on January 29.
A city council neighbourhood warden on duty in Vine Place area captured him on body-worn video then CCTV operatives raised the alarm moments after the Mowbray Park incident and alerted police in the area.
A PC recognised McLoud who was arrested and later charged with affray and a public order offence.
McLoud, of no fixed abode, appeared before magistrates in South Tyneside where he pleaded guilty to both offences and was jailed for one year.
Northumbria Police’s Sergeant Maria Ord said the case showed the importance of teamwork: “As soon as we were made aware of these incidents, our priority was to identify the attacker and we knew a potentially dangerous offender needed to be stopped.
“It was a real team effort to pursue justice, with the city centre team spending a huge amount of time trawling CCTV footage alongside partners in a bid to track the suspect’s movements.
"Thankfully that hard work was worth it.
“Together with our partners, we will continue to do all we can to tackle perpetrators like this and ensure our region remains as safe a place as it possibly can be to live, work and visit.”
Sunderland City Council leader and Safer Sunderland Partnership chair Coun Graeme Miller said: “I am very pleased to hear about how the work of our Neighbourhood Enforcement Team has helped in identifying this man and the justice brought to him for these shocking incidents.
"This type of behaviour will not be tolerated in our city and the background to it shows how we take action and how we work together. We are continuing to work closely with Northumbria Police and our partners on keeping our city safe and dealing with those individuals who are acting in a criminal or anti-social manner.”
Anybody who sees anything suspicious in their area is asked to report it by using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force website or calling 101. In an emergency always dial 999.