A rioter who was bitten on the backside by a police dog cried in court as he admitted violent disorder.
At another court, a burglar who raided a library in one of Britain’s most deprived neighbourhoods said: “Nice one, lad” as he was led down to the cells.
A 14-year-old boy was watched by his father and uncle as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder after setting off fireworks at members of the public.
The convictions came as the first wave of suspects arrested following mass riots across the country appeared in court for the first time.
Violence has broken out in several towns and cities, and more than 420 people have been arrested, following a knife attack on children attending a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, Merseyside, last Monday.
Three girls died in the attack, and 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.
On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer called for perpetrators to be named and shamed, as he announced a “standing army” of specialist police officers was being assembled to crack down on rioting.
Footage from violence in Hartlepool on Wednesday night had shown a man trying to push through a police cordon, shouting and refusing to move away, before being bitten on the backside by a police dog.
Ryan Sheers, 28, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and wept during the hearing as he admitted violent disorder.
Sheers, formerly a McDonald’s worker who has no previous convictions, was emotional as he thanked District Judge Helen Cousins after she granted him bail to appear before Teesside Crown Court for sentencing on Sep 2.
Almost 150 miles away, another rioter, 28-year-old Adam Wharton, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, wearing a grey tracksuit and with long curly hair, where he pleaded guilty to burglary.
He was seen outside Spellow Lane Library Hub in Walton on Sunday, wearing a balaclava and “sweating profusely”. He acted as a lookout while another man raided the building, the court was told. The library had been burnt and looted the night before.
Wharton, who was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing, said: “Nice one, lad” at the end of his hearing.
At the same court, a 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting, said the boy was seen by police officers among a group of eight to 12 other young people in Clayton Square, Liverpool, at about 10.30pm on Saturday setting fireworks off in the direction of members of the public and a police carrier. He told the court: “They exploded underneath the police carrier.”
The court was told the boy, who cannot be named because of his age, said: “I’m sorry. I wasn’t firing them at you, though,” when he was arrested by police after they gave chase. He had five fireworks and a lighter in his possession.
The teenager, whose father and uncle were in court, has no previous convictions, the court was told.
Iqbal Singh Kang, mitigating, said the boy had been in the city centre to catch a bus home, and added: “He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance or adding to the disorder. Without thinking things through, he became involved in something much more serious. It’s completely out of the blue.”
The boy was released on bail until Aug 27, when he will be sentenced.
Six people also appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday and were remanded in custody until their next court appearances on Sep 2.
Leanne Hodgson pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being seen on footage pushing a large bin towards a police line during unrest in Sunderland.
The 43-year-old, from Sunderland, who has “a long-running alcohol problem”, denied being involved in the original march but said she had been out drinking and became involved in the disorder when the pub closed, the court was told.
John Garside, prosecuting, said “there was a large crowd cheering and joining in” as Hodgson pushed the bin at officers.
District Judge Zoe Passfield told her: “This was large-scale mob violence, which resulted in fear to the public and damage to local businesses. There is absolutely no justification for it.”
Josh Kellett, 29, of Southcroft, in Washington, admitted violent disorder after unrest in Sunderland on Friday. The court was told he was seen on footage throwing a stone towards police officers while part of a large group. He was wearing a balaclava but was identified by his “distinctive tattoos”, it was said.
Andrew Smith, 41, of High Street East, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following unrest in the city.
In Manchester, three men appeared in court following violence in Bolton on Sunday when bricks and other missiles were launched at riot officers
Daniel Robinson, 37, pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour after telling police officers to “f— themselves”.
Hamza Mohammed, 23, and Gareth Rigby, 43, were both charged with possessing an offensive weapon. Rigby pleaded guilty, and Mr Mohammed entered no plea.
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