Man who took park in disorder during riot 'brought shame' on his Sunderland football shirt

Shaun Doran, jailed for a public order offence
-Credit: (Image: Northumbria Police)


A man who took part in disorder during a riot was told in court he brought shame on his city and on the Sunderland football shirt he was wearing.

Shaun Doran had been drinking in a pub which was cleared when trouble flared as thugs gathered on Friday August 2. While he did not use violence to anyone and was not involved in the original disorder, he "provoked violence" by his behaviour, Newcastle Crown Court heard. He has now been jailed for 12 weeks.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "He was in Sunderland city centre and was identified from body worn footage wearing a Sunderland football shirt and a blue denim jacket and jeans.

"There were several people in the area and the defendant was in the middle of the road. He picked up bottles and put them in a wheelie bin." The court heard others later pushed the wheelie bin at police but not Doran.

He was heard shouting "f****** come on" at the police line and was seen gesturing at police and gesturing to the crowd for others to come forward, which Mr Ahmad said was "clearly intended to provoke violence".

Shorty after that, others threw missiles towards the police but Doran did not do so. He was then seen to approach close to the police line and someone else was heard to shout "go on Shaun". He was then arrested.

Doran, 48, of Villette Road, Sunderland, who has 44 previous convictions, denied violent disorder and pleaded guilty to a public order offence of using threatening or abusive words of behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence. He was jailed for 12 weeks but due to the time he has been remanded in custody, he will be released imminently.

Judge Tim Gittins told him: "You and many others brought shame on the city of Sunderland, shame on the shirt you were wearing that day."

Chris Knox, defending, said: "He had a limited involvement, albeit there's a wider picture. He did not go out to demonstrate. He was in a public house which was cleared by the police, that's how he got to be in the street.

"He was not anxious to create any disorder. He was somewhat affected by drink but he was not violent to any people or any property."

Mr Knox added: "He is a carer for his sister and she is in court and is very concerned about him."