A rioting lout has joined his father behind bars after taking part in shameful scenes in Newcastle city centre.
Dean Haase threw a can of alcohol towards a group of people who gathered to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and behaved aggressively to police as an angry mob brought fear to the streets. In ugly scenes at Grey's Monument, police came under attack from a number of people and officers, horses and dogs were injured as missiles were thrown, including bottles, cans and smoke grenades.
Several yobs, including Haase's dad, Derek, have already been locked up for their part in the shameful violent disorder - all but one of whom were from the "counter-protesting" group. Some of them were affiliated with the far right, Hells Angels, or football hooligans.
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Newcatle Crown Court heard Haase, who was part of the counter-protesters, was first seen at 12.15pm approaching the monument, drinking alcohol with his father. A couple of hours later he bought more alcohol and returned to the plinth and continued drinking it.
Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was chanting, shouting, putting his fingers up to the Black Lives Matter supporters. At 3.30 he left the plinth and ran in the direction of the front of the crowd, throwing a can of alcohol in the direction of the Black Lives Matter protestors.
"He was seen pacing back and forward, shouting and gesturing at police officers. That aggressive behaviour towards police officers was demonstrated on a number of occasions."
At one point, as police tried to move the protesters back, Haase ran to the front of the police line, pushing at officers. He then spat in the direction of police and shouted at them "Who's side are you really on".
He also rushed to help another offender as police tried to arrest him and took part in group chanting of "You'll never take Newcastle". Haase was later seen with his head down in a "rugby-style scrum" putting his full body weight into pushing and shoving the police.
Haase, 31, of Scott Avenue, Nelson Village, Cramlington, Northumberland, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was jailed for 26 months. The court heard he has a previous conviction for affray from 2009. He also has cautions for racially aggravated public order in 2005 as well as public order, common assault and drunk and disorderly.
Liam O'Brien, defending, said: "There is another side to Mr Haase to that which is shown so vividly in the footage and brought shame to the city. The real tragedy is he is the father of an eight-year-old girl and he knows the terrible way he behaved has punished his daughter more than anyone. He has to live with that for the rest of his life.
"He has a loving partner who supports him and he has individuals who think highly of him, as the references attest. He has put arrangements in place to let his business continue while he is incarcerated but whether that succeeds is very much in the balance.
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