Teenager convicted after livestreaming violent disorder

A teenager who livestreamed violent disorder in Darlington and urged people to smash people and property up has been convicted.

Brandon Welch livestreamed the disorder on his TikTok account, during which he encouraged people to smash cars, property, and people up.

The 18-year-old also shouted racial slurs during the disorder, which happened on the evening of Monday, August 5.

Welch was arrested the following morning at his home in the Whinfield area of Darlington after officers identified him through his TikTok account.

He was charged with violent disorder, which he admitted during a hearing at Teesside Crown Court this week, and was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing on Tuesday, October 15.

Dozens of police officers were deployed to the North Lodge Park area of Darlington after two large groups of mostly males had gathered just after 9pm. 

This resulted in small pockets of serious violence, which saw bricks being thrown at police officers who attended the scene. 

Chief Inspector Victoria Cubby, from Durham Constabulary, said: “The scenes we saw in Darlington that evening were atrocious and will not be tolerated.

“I hope this sends a clear message that anyone who commits these types of offences and tries to incite violence in our communities, that your actions have very real consequences.”