Teenager convicted after livestreaming Darlington disorder on TikTok

Daniel Hall
·1-min read
Brandon Welch, who was convicted of violent disorder at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday
-Credit: (Image: Durham Constabulary)


A teenager who livestreamed violent disorder in Darlington and urged people to smash property up has been convicted.

Brandon Welch, 18, encouraged people to smash cars, property, and other people, whilst livestreaming on his TikTok account. He also shouted racial slurs during the disorder on the evening of Monday, August 5.

Dozens of police officers were deployed to the North Lodge Park area of Darlington after two large groups, mostly of males, gathered just after 9pm. This resulted in small pockets of serious violence, with bricks thrown at police officers who attended the scene.

Welch was arrested the following morning at his home on Warkworth Way, in the Whinfield area of Darlington after officers identified him through his TikTok account. He was charged with violent disorder, which he admitted during a hearing at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Victoria Cubby of Durham Constabulary said: "The scenes we saw in Darlington that evening were atrocious and will not be tolerated. I hope this sends a clear message that anyone who commits these types of offences and tries to incite violence in our communities, that your actions have very real consequences."

Another 18-year-old, Cole Stewart, was also arrested following the disorder in Darlington. He was pictured celebrating after throwing bricks at police officers, and was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders' institute at Teesside Crown Court on August 12.

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