Man Sentenced for Assaulting Police During Staffordshire Riot

Martin McCluskey has been sentenced to three years in prison after throwing rocks at police during a riot in Staffordshire last summer, where he also threatened an officer, stating he would “bite his face off”. Footage from the August disturbances in Tamworth captured McCluskey verbally abusing an officer and subsequently throwing projectiles at members of the police force. The 60-year-old Tamworth resident, from Manor Road, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker at Stafford Crown Court. Asst Ch Con Stuart Ellison of Staffordshire Police stated that officers encountered “acts of mindless criminality and violence” during the riot. This unrest involved the throwing of petrol bombs and attempts to set fire to a hotel accommodating asylum seekers. The specific officer targeted by McCluskey sustained facial bruising after being hit with a bicycle and having petrol thrown on them. According to the force, McCluskey also kicked a glass bottle towards another officer, resulting in it shattering against their shin. Following identification and charging by police, McCluskey was among six individuals who admitted their involvement in the disorder last month. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.