A mother and daughter have been sentenced to prison after participating in a violent disturbance in Middlesbrough, all while out walking their family dog.
Amanda Walton, 51, and her daughter Megan Davison, 24, were both involved in the unrest, with Walton captured on CCTV throwing an object, damaging a car’s wing mirror, and searching through a bin, according to details presented at Teesside Crown Court.
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Prosecutors explained that Davison was caught jumping on the roof of a car, helping to smash its windows, making obscene gestures at a police officer, and walking away from a store while concealing stolen goods.
The incident took place on August 4, during a march where Walton had brought along the family’s chow chow, with video footage showing both women occasionally holding the dog’s leash.
At a previous court appearance, Walton and Davison admitted to charges of violent disorder. Walton was sentenced to 22 months behind bars, while Davison received a 20-month prison term, handed down by Judge Francis Laird KC.
In a related case, Davison’s partner, Jake Wray, who also participated in the disorder, has yet to be sentenced. He had reportedly stopped vehicles at a junction, asking drivers racially charged questions about their ethnicity or nationality. His sentencing is expected next week after admitting to the same offense.
Police investigating the events of August 4 found that over 250 crimes had been committed that day, ranging from damage to property to vandalism of public buildings.
During the court hearing, Jon Harley, who represented Davison, explained that she had consumed a mixture of alcohol and drugs the night before the march, following a breakup, and was still under the influence during the incident.
He characterized her actions as being swept up in the situation and described her behavior as foolish.
Gary Wood, defending Walton, argued that Walton’s presence at the protest was primarily driven by concern for her daughter, noting that she hadn’t planned to participate and had only come out with the dog.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the judge acknowledged that neither Walton nor Davison had acted out of racist intent, and both had shown remorse for their actions.
Judge Laird explained that due to the gravity of the disorder, particularly in light of similar disturbances occurring across the country at the time, it was not possible to suspend their sentences.
However, he did reduce the length of their prison terms in recognition of their early guilty pleas.
