Hendon man who was first to be convicted of “riot” jailed

A Hendon man who was the first person to be convicted of riot after the widespread disorder across the UK in August has been jailed.

Kieran Usher, 32, was the first adult in Britain to be charged with the offence, in relation to his activities during the violent protest in Sunderland on August 2, where he draped himself in a Union Jack flag before throwing missiles at officers while close to the police line.

When he entered his guilty plea at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month, he became the first person in the UK to be convicted

Usher, of Bramwell Road, Hendon Sunderland, was jailed for four years and four months.

Judge Tim Gittins said Usher was in a “handful” of people who were closest to the police line, encouraged the violence and was “leading, to an extent”.

Judge Gittins told Usher his wearing the union flag during the riot brought “shame to it”.


The judge added: “You participated in an orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder.