A former war hero and paramedic has been spared prison for his part in shameful scenes when protesters clashed with police at a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
Craig Hay and other Hell's Angels were among hundreds who gathered at Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre to hold a counter-demonstration against the anti-racist group in June 2020. Several people have already been jailed for the violent disorder, which left police officers and service animals injured as bottles, cans and smoke grenades were thrown.
However, after hearing of Hay's courageous work as a medic in the Royal Marines in war-torn countries around the world and also of his work as paramedic during the Covid pandemic, a judge said he would suspend his prison sentence in the "exceptional" circumstances of his background.
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Hay was first seen on June 13 2020 just after 12pm with fellow members of the Hell's Angels and by around 2.30pm he was at the front of the group of counter-protesters helping to form a barrier against the police. He ignored an officer who told them to move back.
Prosecutor Jolyon Perks told Newcastle Crown Court: "His actions encourage the ongoing violent disorder. At 4.05pm police were met with resistance and the defendant was in front of an officer and refused to move.
"He lashed out with fists, glancing a punch across an officer's face and helmet visor. The defendant is described as having lost it and an attempt to arrest him was frustrated by other Hell's Angels.
"The defendant was standing in a wide stance with his arms spread out in front of the police horses. He shouts 'We are not moving backwards' then turns and repeats the instruction to those behind him. He refused to move backwards and remained at the front, deliberately seeking to frustrate attempts of the police to move the crowd.
"The crowd surge and the defendant is captured telling police to f*** off. The defendant is bitten by police dog, Seth and the dog handler is pushed by another defendant, enabling this defendant to evade being removed."
The court heard Hay was struck to the legs twice by an officer with a baton due to his failure to move. At one point he was pushed to the floor and responded by charging, head down, into the police line in a rugby-style tackle. Mr Perks said: "His actions caused the crowd to erupt with further Hell's Angels charging at police."
Hay, 53, of Rosecroft, Newfield, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to two years suspended for 12 months with 150 hours unpaid work.
The court heard his registration as a paramedic lapsed last year and he didn't renew it due to the case, meaning he lost his job, although he has now set up his own business. Judge Edward Bindloss said he accepted Hay had attended the scene with the "good intention" of protecting Grey's Monument after incidents in Bristol and London.
The judge said he accepted Hay's letter of apology and his "genuine remorse" and acknowledged he had behaved out of character. He added that he had read letters from a Major in the military and an ambulance service boss praising his work.
Judge Bindloss referenced Hay's "outstanding service" in the Royal Marines for around 20 years, including deployments in Belfast, Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic dealing with casualties and prisoners of war. He said: "You saved many lives."
He also did excellent work during the pandemic, providing PPE training and working with doctors. Judge Bindloss said: "You were a key part of keeping services running and providing critical support at a time of national emergency."
The judge added: "This is an exceptional case, unlike others. This was an afternoon of madness."
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