Stacey Vint was among the first rioters to be sentenced on Teesside following the Middlesbrough riots in the wake of the Southport attack in the summer of 2024
Stacey Vint, Paul Shaw and Satti Collins
A self-proclaimed “tornado” mum put behind bars after she shoved a burning wheelie bin towards police during a riot has opened up following a dramatic change in her life.
Stacey Vint, 34, was amongst the first rioters to face sentencing in the aftermath of the ‘riots’ that followed the horror Southport attack. Videos of her collapsing while pushing the flaming bin, in Middlesborough, went viral online and following a guilty plea to violent disorder, the mother-of-five was handed a 20-month prison sentence.
The mum now said her time in prison gave her the opportunity to contemplate her behaviour and allowed her to overcome her substance abuse issues.
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Speaking candidly now about the addiction, homelessness and chaos that defined her existence before August 2024, Stacey said she resembled a “tornado – not bothered what I destroyed in my path on the way”. The mum had been stripped of custody of her children and was drifting between “sesh houses”, confessing she was indifferent to the “unlivable conditions” provided there was access to alcohol and drugs.
“I didn’t see a future for myself. It was just completely unstoppable by then and I drank and took drugs to block everything out,” she said. On the day of the disorder, Stacey revealed she had gone several days without sleep, drinking and taking drugs, before finding herself swept up in the crowd while heading to the shops.
She said: “Within seconds everything turned to madness. The atmosphere just took over me.” The mum added: “[In prison] I started to understand the impact of my actions. People were frightened in their homes. Cars smashed up. Windows boarded. I had never thought about how my actions affected anyone else.”
After spotting Stacey’s face on the front page of a newspaper, retired primary school teacher Satti Collins recognised her as a former pupil, reports Teesside Live. She said: “I just wanted to know why she did that. I wanted to find her, but I didn’t know how.”
Following her release from prison, Stacey, from South Bank, was involved in a restorative justice programme with Restorative Cleveland, the service operated by Safer Communities across the Cleveland Police area. This brought Satti and Stacey together face to face for the first time in over 25 years.
For Stacey, the encounter helped her to accept responsibility. She said: “I am not racist, far from it. But I was still part of something I should not have been. I want to make things right.”
Reflecting on knowing Stacey during her childhood, Satti chuckled that she was a “bit lippy” but noted “as teachers we were very fond of you”. The retired teacher added: “She is brave and honest, and she has worked so hard to turn her life around. She is really making a difference in sharing her story with others.”
Following their participation in the programme, Stacey and Satti have kept in touch and have been presenting their experiences throughout the area. They have visited schools, addressed delegates and conducted training sessions with police officers about the ramifications of crime, substance abuse and becoming involved in civil unrest.
The pair also recently participated in a community gathering organised by the Amal Project, which helped facilitate the clean-up operation after the riots, where they discussed their journey as part of Resilient Women: A Celebration of Strength, Faith and Community.
Paul Shaw, from Restorative Cleveland, explained the case demonstrates what restorative justice can achieve when individuals are prepared to participate. He said: “Restorative justice gives people the chance to be heard, to ask difficult questions and to understand the real impact of what has happened.
Restorative Cleveland supports victims and offenders throughout the Cleveland Police area, with funding provided by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland. A short documentary entitled Riot to Redemption – backed by Tees Million – has been produced, chronicling her journey with Restorative Cleveland.
