Hells Angels jailed for part in protest riot
TWO Hells Angels who took part in a violent riot in Newcastle city centre against a peaceful protest have been jailed.
The leader of the Tyne and Wear chapter of the motorbike group, Colin Green, and member Christopher Butters were among a mob to gather at Grey’s Monument to oppose a group demonstrating in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Shocking scenes unfolded as the “counter-protesters” attacked police and the other group by throwing cans, bottles and smoke grenades.
Police officers, horses, dogs and members of the public were injured in the June 2020 riot. Now Green and Butters have joined other members of the counter-protesting group behind bars after admitting their part in the violent disorder.
Although Green, 58, didn’t throw anything, Judge Edward Bindloss said he was an “influential figure” as the leader of the local Hells Angels.
He added: “My assessment of him is of him walking around in a cool, calm arrogant manner, walking up to the police and behind them, striding around in a way that made me assess him as thinking he was untouchable.
“He is highly influential and it was open to him to say we are leaving the scene, let’s go. He chose not to do so.”
Newcastle Crown Court heard Butters obstructed police and threw missiles during the disturbance.
He was with other Hells Angels and at the front of the counter-protesters group and refused to move back when told to by the police.
He was pushed and fell to the ground and when he got up he threw a can in the direction of the officer who pushed him and it appeared to strike another officer.
He was then at the front of the group as they surged police and was seen remonstrating with officers and appeared angry and aggressive.
When mounted police were deployed, he stood in front of the horses with arms outstretched.
He refused to comply when told to move back and one mounted officer hit him to the head with a baton.
Butters reacted by picking up a missile and throwing it at the officer. It missed and sailed into the Metro underpass. The court heard he then picked up a full carrier bag and threw it at a mounted officer, hitting either him or the horse.
When arrested, he said he was there to protect Grey’s Monument from anti-fascists and claimed the police had antagonised the situation and used brutality.
Green, of Church Street, Sunderland and Butters, 42, of Moorland Avenue, Bedlington, Northumberland, both admitted violent disorder. Green was jailed for 29 months and Butters got 31 months.
Nick Lane, for Green, said he has no previous convictions, didn’t throw anything “but is significantly ashamed and embarrassed by his behaviour.” He was bitten by a police dog during the disturbance and was taken away in an ambulance. He added that he is in a paid role with the Hells Angels and has done a lot of charity work via the group.” Green provided references to the court, including from a former police officer.
Alec Burns, for Butters, said references speak of a different side to him and claimed he had gone there “to protect the monument”.
He added: “He didn’t have an argument with the protesters and, personally, has sympathy for them.
Mr Burns added that Butters was taken to hospital after being hit by the police baton to the head and said he is hard-working, works in a potash mine and his employer knows about the case and was happy to keep him on. He is married with a young daughter and fears losing his home as a result of a custodial sentence.