Loyalists attack PSNI landrovers which blocked their return route home on the Twelfth of July

A self-confessed rioter has been charged at the High Court in Belfast following serious public disorder in north Belfast on the Twelfth of July.

Gary Hindes, of Magheraconluce Road, Belfast, was identified on CCTV footage by police investigating rioting in the Woodvale area after appearing in court charged separately with disorderly behaviour the following day.

The defence said the 23-year-old admitted his actions after being shown the footage.

The bail application was adjourned until Friday for more information on Hindes’ employment history.

High Court judge Mr Justice McCloskey said Twelfth of July rioters put the lives of hundreds of police men and women at risk.

During the bail hearing it was set out how Hindes, who is originally from the Twadell Avenue area of north Belfast, returned to the area to visit friends on July 10.

He then spent the next few days drinking heavily and said he has no recollection of what happened, the judge was told.

A prosecution barrister said Hindes was spotted at the front of a crowd attacking police officers enforcing a ban on Orangemen parading through the Ardoyne area on the Twelfth.

Mr Justice McCloskey stressed that Hindes faced “substantial hurdles” to being released whilst awaiting trail.