Belfast riots
Two Englishmen have appeared in court in Belfast in connection with loyalist rioting.
Two men from England have appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with rioting in north Belfast.
The pair – who were caught on CCTV causing trouble in Mount Vernon on Monday night – made full admissions to the police the court was told.
One of the men, Jake Watkiss, from Wolverhampton, joined loyalists in rioting because he wanted to “fit in with the locals”.
Watkiss and another man from the Midlands, Luke Ridley, are accused of using a wheelie bin full of masonry to attack police.
Watkiss, 24, and Ridley, 23, are each charged with riotous assembly.
Both men were released on bail after Belfast Magistrates' Court was told they have made full admissions.
Police said the pair were captured on CCTV taking part in street violence in the Mount Vernon estate for up to 45 minutes on Monday.
Ridley, of Ross House, Mount Vernon Road, Belfast, was said to have lived in Northern Ireland for the last three or four years.
The court heard Watkiss moved in with him last week in a bid to make a fresh start after ending a relationship in Wolverhampton.
"He foolishly got involved to demonstrate he can fit in with the locals," a defence lawyer said.
The solicitor said Watkiss and Ridley have each accepted taking part in the rioting and will ultimately face punishment.
The pair were granted bail although they must adhere to strict night-time curfews and they were banned from being within 500 metres of any parade, protest of demonstration.
Meanwhile police chiefs in Belfast will draft in around an extra 300 officers from across the UK to help deal with the serious civil disturbances.
With Celtic playing Cliftonville in north Belfast there were fears tensions may boil over across the city for a sixth consecutive night.
The new latest group of mutual aid officers brings the total number used over the 12 July period to 1,300.
The first group of 630 officers has already gone back to Britain. About 600 will remain in Northern Ireland when the new contingent arrives.
steven.moore@nth.sundayworld.com