Middlesbrough riot ringleader jailed after fleeing to Spain for nearly two years

Jamie Latham, 38, was arrested at Newcastle Airport on his return from Spain and jailed for two years and nine months for violent disorder during the 2024 riots.

Football hooligan who fled to Spain after Middlesbrough riot sentenced to nearly three years

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that a football hooligan who escaped abroad after taking a leading role in attacks on police during the 2024 summer riots has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

Jamie Latham, 38, of Stockton, was arrested at Newcastle Airport nearly two years after his involvement in violent disorder in Middlesbrough, Teesside Crown Court heard. He had flown out of the country the day after the riots and claimed he had been in Dubai for work before returning via Alicante in June.

The disorder in Middlesbrough took place on 4 August, when around 1,000 people gathered for what had been advertised on social media as a "peaceful protest". The march moved along Linthorpe Road towards the town centre, having been organised several days after a similar demonstration turned violent in Hartlepool.

As the crowd reached Clarendon Road, prosecutor Emma Atkinson told the court the atmosphere "became heated" amid shouts of "take our country back". Officers formed a line to prevent the group from advancing further down the street.

Over the hours that followed, missiles were thrown at police, buildings and vehicles were damaged, and bins were set alight. On Borough Road, Latham — his tracksuit hood up and face partially covered — was recorded on camera shouting at others to charge at a police line. He ran at officers, kicked their shields and threw punches beyond the line, striking one officer in the face, Atkinson said. During the melee, a second officer fell to the ground and was kicked and stamped on by the crowd.

Latham boarded a flight the following day. He returned to the UK in June, nearly two years later, telling the court he came back after learning police wished to speak with him.

Judge Richard Bennett rejected that framing. Latham had "sought to evade justice", the judge said, and had returned "no doubt hoping" officers had either forgotten about him or would overlook his re-entry. "They had not forgotten you and were waiting for you," Bennett told Latham. "Now you will face the consequences of your behaviour."

The judge described Latham as playing a "leading role" in what he called the "ugly and violent disorder" and identified him as "one of the main agitators".

Atkinson told the court the policing operation cost approximately £630,000, to be met by taxpayers. Fourteen police vehicles were damaged beyond repair and further repair costs were incurred by other public buildings.

Latham's criminal record included 11 offences, among them multiple incidents of shouting, swearing, goading, spitting at and charging towards rival supporters at football matches. He also held convictions for assaulting an emergency worker and breaching a football banning order.

He admitted the charge of violent disorder. The court was told he would serve no more than 40% of his sentence before being released on licence.

The 2024 summer riots erupted across several towns and cities in England following the murders of three schoolgirls in Southport.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)