A mother and her daughter who were involved in a disturbance that erupted in Middlesbrough during their dog walk have been sentenced to prison.
Amanda Walton, aged 51, was captured on surveillance footage launching a projectile, damaging a vehicle’s wing mirror, and scavenging through a garbage bin, as highlighted by Teesside Crown Court.
Megan Davison, 24, was observed bouncing on top of a car, contributing to the destruction of windows, displaying an obscene gesture to a police officer, and exiting a store while “hiding items,” according to prosecutor Rachel Masters.
Walton brought her chow chow to the demonstration on 4 August, the court was informed, and video evidence showed both women occasionally holding the dog’s leash.
Amanda Walton and her daughter Megan Davison next to the damaged vehicle. Pic: Cleveland Police/PA
The duo confessed to participating in violent disorder at an earlier court session, resulting in Walton receiving a 22-month prison sentence and Davison 20 months imposed by Judge Francis Laird KC.
Davison’s partner, Jake Wray, is awaiting sentencing following his admission of the same charge after he obstructed vehicles at an intersection to inquire if drivers were “white” or “English.” His sentencing is scheduled for next week.
Amanda Walton
Megan Davison. Pics: Cleveland Police/PA
Law enforcement was investigating 250 offenses related to damage to properties and vandalism of public structures on 4 August, the court was informed.
Jon Harley, representing Davison, explained that she had consumed a mix of alcohol and drugs the previous night, following a breakup, and was still under the influence during the protest.
“She permitted herself to be engulfed in the chaos and acted in a very reckless manner,” he stated.
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Gary Wood, representing Walton, mentioned that she attended the protest out of concern for her daughter.
“She hadn’t intended to get involved; in truth, she was merely in the street with her dog,” he commented.
The judge recognized that neither woman was driven by racial motives and that both expressed regret.
The severity of the disorder, in context with other incidents of unrest across the nation, warranted that neither sentence could be suspended, according to Judge Laird.
However, he acknowledged both women for their guilty pleas, which mitigated their prison terms.
