Boy seen with ‘firework in hand’

Mr Sanderson-Kirk says that the teenager was seen outside B&M on Clayton Square after the store had been “looted” in a ”group of around 8 to 12”.

He adds: “Three of the males lit fireworks and set them off in the direction of members of the public. “They exploded underneath a police carrier

“Police officers gave chase. [The boy] was arrested. On being spoken to he said I’m sorry, I wasn’t firing them at you though. Five fireworks were found on him, along with a lighter.”

Footage played to the court shows the youth with a firework in hand, lighting it and firing towards a police carrier.

His solicitor Mr Kang says: “It’s not disputed.” Mr Sanderson-Kirk says that “no injury was caused” as a result.

Judge Boswell says the case should be adjourned in order for a pre-sentence report to be obtained.

Mr Kang: “The court will naturally be concerned about a 14-year-old finding himself in these circumstances.

“He has no prior convictions whatsoever. He has never been in trouble with the police before. It is completely out of character for him.

“How did this come about? He tells me he headed into the city centre with the intention of catching a bus home. He was on his own. It seems perhaps through inexperience and lack of maturity he became involved with people he did not know who were offering out fireworks. He says he doesn’t know why he became involved but didn’t think things through. Through his lack of maturity and age, there was an excitement on his part. He did not head into the city centre with the intention of causing any kind of disturbance. Without thinking things through, he became involved in something much more serious than he intended. He accepts he was involved in that disorder and shouldn’t have been involved.

“He was perhaps confused what their intentions were other than being part of a trouble making group. He’s had plenty of time to think about his actions. He has spent two nights in custody. He understands how foolish and silly he has been and wishes he could turn the clock back.

“It is completely out of the blue. One could positively say if he hadn’t been heading into the city centre to catch a bus, we wouldn’t be convened here like this.”

The judge orders the preparation of the pre-sentence report.

The boy is released on bail until August 27 under the condition that he does not enter the L1. L2 or L3 postcode areas.

Liverpool Echo