Balaclava-clad teenager jailed after throwing brick at police vehicle

A 19-year-old man has been jailed after deliberately targeting a Cleveland Police vehicle and throwing a brick at its windscreen while travelling through Redcar.

On Monday (Jun 15), Cameron Coxall assaulted a prison officer after refusing to return to his cell.

At around 2.50pm, as officers attempted to return him to his cell, his jacket fell off. When it was handed back to him, Coxall spat directly into the eyes of the prison officer.

The officer attended North Tees General Hospital for treatment as a precaution.

Then, on Tuesday (Aug 25), Coxall deliberately targeted a Cleveland Police scenes of crime vehicle as it travelled along Kings Road towards Ormesby Road.

The 19-year-old was a passenger on a motorbike which did not have a number plate when it crossed onto the opposite side of the road and headed directly towards the police vehicle.

Coxall then threw a brick at the vehicle, causing a large crack in the windscreen while the driver was at the wheel.

He was wearing a balaclava in an attempt to conceal his identity before the motorbike was driven away on the pavement in the direction of Longlands Road towards Cargo Fleet Road.

Police said footage obtained by officers had also shown the motorbike driving in and out of traffic, against the flow of traffic and on pavements.

Coxall was later arrested as part of an ongoing operation by a dedicated team of detectives investigating suspected serious and organised crime.

The driver of the motorbike, Lucas Allen, 18, from Hartlepool, was charged with criminal damage, driving without due care and attention, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Following his appearance at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, Allen was given a community order, disqualified from driving for 34 months and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

On Thursday (Oct 1), Coxall, from Redcar, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to four weeks in prison for criminal damage.

He was also sentenced to a further four weeks in prison for the common assault on the prison officer.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Glass, Senior Investigating Officer for the investigation into serious and organised crime, said: “Coxall put the driver, other road users and pedestrians at significantly great risk when he targeted and deliberately threw a brick at the windscreen.

“Prior to this, footage obtained by officers showed the motorbike driving in and out of traffic and driving against the flow of traffic including pavements.

“Thankfully, the driver and other road users were not harmed however understandably shaken by what happened.

“It is clear Coxall has no thought or consideration for other members of the public. While the sentence may appear short, it does show that action will be taken by officers to gather evidence that will be brought to court.”