A student who was with Black Live Matter supporters during a violent city centre clash has been jailed.
Naif Muhirez had been a peaceful participant as the group he was with were separated from "counter protesters" by dozens of police officers near Grey's Monument, in Newcastle. But, a court heard there came a point when he and others tried to find a way to get to the back of the other group and Muhirez threw a bottle.
He had denied violent disorder but was found guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court. Now he has joined many of the opposing group behind bars as he was locked up for two years and five months.
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Sentencing him, Judge Edward Bindloss said footage shows Muhirez, who claimed to be there out of curiosity, "doing nothing wrong and in good spirits" to begin with on June 13 2020. But that afternoon "large-scale public disorder" broke out.
By 4pm, police told the crowds to disperse and many people complied but Muhirez was one of those who remained. The judge said: "You joined a small group who, unable to get through the police line to the counter protesters, decided to retreat and go round the back streets of Newcastle on Brunswick Place, a narrow alley or road, which, had you succeeded in getting through, you and others would have got to the back of the counter protesters.
"You were seen throwing a bottle and were part of a group with others throwing bottles. Members of the public were there, including a woman with a shopping bag. You were trying to get to the counter protesters."
The court heard Muhirez, 21, of Moore Street, Sheffield, who is in his second year of a degree in Sheffield, is previously of "exemplary character" and references describe him as "quiet, studious, polite and clever". He maintains his innocence but feels shame and is contrite, the court heard.
Kate Barnes, defending, said: "He is highly thought of. His evidence was he had no affiliation with Black Lives Matter and he remained out of curiosity.
"He behaved lawfully until what took place on Brunswick Place. This was an impulsive act borne out of a lack of consequential thinking and immaturity. He is a low risk of reoffending."
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