Five men were jailed yesterday (24 September) for their part in the violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent on 3 August.

Jarrod Hollinshead, 26, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment after he admitted affray at an earlier hearing.

Andrew Townley, 45, of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was given a 34-month sentence after he previously admitted violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Ashley Morris, 31, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after he admitted violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

James Watkins, 35, of Stoke-on-Trent, was given a 36-month sentence after he previously admitted violent disorder.

Lee Grocott, 48, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 32 months behind bars after he previously admitted violent disorder.

Hollinshead

Hollinshead, 26, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment (Staffordshire Police).

Hollinshead ran towards officers with a brick in his hand and threw it whilst shouting abusive words. He was arrested immediately afterwards.  

Townley

Townley, 45, was sentenced to 34 months imprisonment (Staffordshire Police).

Townley was seen on social media footage and body worn video challenging an officer who was trying to keep the crowds from breaking through the police lines in Hanley on 3 August.

Townley grabbed the shield of one of the officers, pushed her and continued to fuel the aggressive nature of the disorder along with large pockets of people.

He was quickly identified from the footage and charged with the offences.

Morris

Morris, 31, was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment (Staffordshire Police).

Morris was seen on CCTV and bodyworn video repeatedly trying to get past officers who were policing the violent disorder.

Morris launched bricks and missiles at people in the area and challenged officers who were holding the line with shields.

After being questioned about his involvement in custody, Morris was charged with the offence and sent to court.

Watkins

Watkins, 35, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment (Staffordshire Police).

Watkins challenged members of the public to a fight and challenged officers on the frontline.

He pushed an officer who was holding a shield, got a glass bottle out of his bag, and said 'let's play' before threatening to use the bottle as a weapon.

He repeatedly tried to incite violence and show acts of aggression against members of the public and the officers at the scene.

He was arrested on 27 August and charged with the offences.

Grocott

Grocott, 48, was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment (Staffordshire Police).

Grocott was seen on footage launching missiles at people in the area and shouting aggressively at officers who were on the frontline trying to keep people safe.

Grocott was arrested after he was identified on evidential footage from the scene and charged with the offences.

------------

READ MORE: 'Neglected' baby from Stoke-on-Trent was exposed to monkey dust before his death

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.