Trio jailed for violent disorder at BLM protest
A GRANDMOTHER who claimed it was her “democratic right” to attend a counter-demonstration at a Black Lives Matter protest has been jailed.
Wendy Robson turned up at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle city centre wearing Union Jack boots and clothing as part of a group calling themselves North East Frontline Patriots, who claimed they were there to protect the monument from the antiracism demonstrators.
Now the catering business owner, together with Jay Plunkett and Elliott Wright, have joined five other rioters sentenced earlier this week behind bars. Police officers, horses and dogs were injured, along with members of the public, when around 1,000 people, in two opposing groups, gathered in June 2020. Counter-protesters, comprising Hell’s Angels, football yobs and others, threw cans, bottles and other missiles.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Robson, 53, was seen with one arm in the air near the front of the group and appeared to be recording the Black Lives Matter group on her phone while holding a can of lager. She was later seen chanting, singing and making a V-sign in the direction of police and the other group.
She was also seen to push against the police line and throw a can which landed on the ground and started spraying liquid. Later on, she was seen pushing a Hell’s Angel toward the police line then encouraged others to surge forward and pointed and remonstrated with officers, calling them “bully boys”.
When interviewed by police, she said she attended to stop the Black Lives Matter group defacing the monument. Robson, of Wallsend Road, North Shields, who has 11 previous convictions, mainly for dishonesty, admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 29 months.
Plunkett, 23, threw an object towards the police, surged towards officers and encouraged others to do so. He also stole a police officer’s baton and paraded it above his head before hiding it in his waistband.
He later threw something which narrowly missed an officer and was seen shouting and pointing towards police. Upon noticing he was being recorded, he stuck his fingers up.
Plunkett was also spotted pushing and shoving police officers and appeared “extremely aggressive” and covered his face with a balaclava. He also took part in an attempt to stop police arresting someone else.
When a sergeant drew his baton and held it out when Plunkett refused to comply with a direction to move, he said: “Touch me with that and I will take it off you.”
He then grabbed the baton and the officer feared he was going to be pulled into the crowd and let go of the weapon. Plunkett was then seen “parading it as his trophy”.
When interviewed by police, he described himself as a d ****** . Plunkett, of Lumley Walk, Dunston, Gateshead, admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 27 months.
Wright, 25, hurled a missile towards the Black Lives Matter group which landed near police and was shouting, pointing and waving his arms in anger. He was also seen taking part in chanting of “all lives matter” and joined in a surge.
When interviewed by police he said he was embarrassed by his behaviour. Wright, of Paxton Court, Pity Me, County Durham, admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 27 months.
Jonathan Gittins, for Robson, said she “deeply regrets” her actions and added: “She thought it was her democratic right but accepts those rights don’t extend to throwing a can of beer.” The court heard she runs a catering business in North Shields and has four grandchildren.
Jamie Adams, for Plunkett, said: “It was disgusting, appalling behaviour by the crowd of people and anyone seeing it can only feel the same.” He added that he had set up a jet wash business, provided references and has ADHD and anxiety.
Mark Styles, for Wright, said a friend suggested attending and he “foolishly agreed”. He added: “He was a follower, not a leader, and he had far too much to drink and it clouded his judgement. He is embarrassed about what happened, he let himself down. He wants to emphasise he is not a politically motivated individual.”