Four spared jail after South Tyneside street battle that ended with almost 100 weapons being seized
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Groups of men clashed in a residential street armed with baseball bats, knives and an imitation firearm while frightened members of the public looked on in horror.
A number of neighbours called 999 as a result of what they saw but some people who witnessed what happened at Arran Drive, Jarrow, were too afraid to make statements about it.
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Hide AdProsecutor Alec Burns told Newcastle Crown Court: "At one address there were a great number of weapons, machetes, knives, bats and poles, almost 100 in total."
Nobody was injured in the disturbance, which unfolded around 1.45pm on a Saturday afternoon last June, but CCTV footage showed the men carrying a range of weapons.
Seven of the men involved have now been convicted for their role in the disorder.
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Hide AdRatcliffe, of Leslie Avenue, Hebburn, was jailed for 19 months after admitting affray, possessing an imitation firearm and assault.
Williams, of Arran Drive, Jarrow, was sentenced to 20 months behind bars after pleading guilty to affray and possessing a bladed article.
Lincoln, of Olive Street, South Shields, was imprisoned for 14 months after admitting affray.
Now, four more men have now received suspended jail terms for the parts they played.
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Hide AdCory Patterson, 25, of Emlyn Road, South Shields, Daniel Purvis, 30, of Bishops Crescent, Jarrow, William Tisseman, 23, of Vespasian Street, South Shields and Shaun McCord, 34, of Abbey Drive, Jarrow all admitted affray.
The court heard on the day of the confrontation, Patterson was seen chasing after rivals who were in vehicles, Purvis threw a bottle, Tisseman threw rocks and McCord, who was armed with a pole, caused damage to a 4X4 vehicle and smashed one of its windows.
All four men were sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months with 80 hours unpaid work.
Patterson and McCord must also abide by rehabilitation and programme requirements.
Judge Edward Bindloss told the four men: "In general terms this was serious, large scale violence in the street, in broad daylight, seen by neighbours, at 1.45 in the afternoon on a Saturday, causing serious distress to members of the public."
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Hide AdThe judge said the four played a "more limited" role than others, are not heavily convicted, have good work records and provided references to their ordinarily positive characters.
Detective Sergeant Aidan Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an appalling incident that unfolded in broad daylight which left families living on the street terrified.
“A number of those involved were seen carrying weapons and showed levels of violence that has no place on our streets.
“Now, following a full and thorough investigation by a team of detectives, all seven of those involved have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the incident.
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Hide Ad“We will not tolerate violence in our communities under any circumstances and these seven should be absolutely ashamed of their actions. I hope their conviction sends out a strong message to anybody who thinks about carrying a weapon and using violence.
“I would like to thank the community for their support and assistance throughout this investigation, and I hope this offers them reassurance that we will use every tactic at our disposal to ensure dangerous criminals are taken off our streets and put behind bars.”