THREE thugs have been jailed for their part in attacks on police and on a peaceful Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstration in Newcastle.

The BLM demonstration took place on Saturday June 13 2020, in Newcastle city centre during worldwide protests following the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in the US the previous month.

Michael O’Brien, Ronald Short and Ryan Barlow were each jailed for 27 months at Newcastle Crown Court for their involvement in a riot in which missiles were hurled at police and peaceful BLM demonstrators.

Three other thugs were jailed previously for their involvement at the event in which members of the public and police officers were injured.

The court heard that all three were seen throwing missiles during the disorder.

Mr O’Brien, 55, had 10 previous convictions including for violent disorder, and Mr Short, 28, had previous convictions for threatening behaviour, battery and drunk and disorderly behaviour.