Ex-Big Brother contestant admits role in Redcar bar incident

Today, three people, including an ex-Big Brother contestant, have pleaded guilty to the parts they played in connection with the violent altercation outside Peggy Junes in Redcar.

Footage shared on social media at the time showed the defendants pulling up out of the bar before Carl Wild threw the ‘Molotov cocktail’ towards the premises.

A bystander was immediately engulfed in flames before he was helped to get out of his burning sweatshirt.

The 34-year-old was then seen to enter the bar and start squirting bleach at customers as they cowered at the rear of the building on Queen Street before stealing a till.

Simone Reed, who briefly appeared on Big Brother, admits that she encouraged her co-accused to get the petrol from a service station minutes before Wild launched the violent attack.

Simone Reed arriving at court for an earlier hearing (Image: Terry Blackburn)

Lee Wild, who was caught on the footage shouting and gesticulating towards members of the public, admitted his role in the shocking incident.

Carl Wild admitted the most serious charges - grievous bodily harm with intent and aggravated burglary - Lee Wild admitted a public order offence, while Simone Reed pleaded guilty to encouraging and assisting an offender.

All three were expected to go on trial at Teesside Crown Court today (Wednesday, August 6) but they were allowed to enter some guilty pleas to lesser charges.

As a result of the violence, at least one person was taken to hospital and the bar cordoned off while police carried out their investigations on February 15 this year.

Police working a the scene outside Peggy Junes in Redcar (Image: Terry Blackburn)

Nick Dry, prosecuting, told the court that negotiations between all parties had successfully managed to resolve issues and asked for the charges to be put again to the three defendants.

Paul Rooney, representing Carl Wild, urged the judge to allow his client to leave the dock to enable him to receive his medication as he became increasingly agitated.

Rod Hunt, representing businessman and father-of-six Lee Wild, told the judge that his client had already served the equivalent of the maximum sentence that he could be facing.

Ellen Wright, representing Reed, urged the judge to order a pre-sentence report for her client.

Judge Francis Laird KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, ordered pre-sentence reports to be compiled before he sentences them later this year.

He said: “I haven’t made my mind up about you Ms Reed, and Mr Wild, you are likely to get a short sentence of imprisonment, but as your counsel has pointed out, you have served as long as the court could sentence to you already.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

• 'Paranoid' prisoner Joe Outlaw caused £170k damage during Frankland rooftop protest

• Teenage drug dealer caught red-handed with almost £5,000 of crack cocaine

• Burglar pepper sprayed police officer in face during arrest in Darlington

Unlock unlimited local news subscribe today and save on an annual subscription. Enjoy access to our ad-free mobile and tablet app, as well as the digital edition of the paper. Don’t miss out – subscribe now! Click here for details.

“I don’t want to sentence you without the others, but I will amend your bail conditions, so your life to a large extent can return to how it was.

“Ms Reed, I haven’t made up my mind about yours yet but I will consider the contents of the pre-sentence report.”

Carl Wild, of no fixed abode, 37-year-old Lee Wild, of Trevose Close, Redcar, and Reed, 36, of Palmer Walk, Eaglescliffe, will all return to the same court to be sentenced on October 9.

The pre-sentence report for Carl Wild will be to consider the defendant’s dangerousness to the public.