Boy, 16, admits role in Bolton disorder

A 16-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to violent disorder, criminal damage and possession of a metal bar.

The court heard that on August 4 in Bolton town centre, a large-scale demonstration took place, alongside counter-protestors. A large number of police attended to keep the groups apart, it was said.

At around 4pm, around 20-30 youths were causing disruption, many of them wearing coverings over their faces, Ms Nicholls said.

Police were able to identify the boy from CCTV, as he became involved in the disorder. He was seen walking down Exchange Street before pulling a metal bar out of his trouser leg. He was then seen as part of a group of youths kicking cars on Trinity Way.

“He was also seen chasing some vehicles whilst wearing a balaclava,” the prosecutor added.

At one stage he approached a shop with others as other members of the public left. He was seen to brandish a knife before entering the shop, it was said.

Whilst in the shop he was heard shouting: “You’re going back”. The owner of the shop was in fear of being robbed due to recent targeting of shops due to racism, the court heard.

He was said to have previous convictions including for possession of a knife.

“He did not go out with the intention to be part of this,” his solicitor, Nawal Nadeem said.

“There is an awful lot of people caught up in this, those with a balaclava and with a weapon and he seems to be one of them,” DJ Hogarth said.

“He was aware of what was going on, his had the bat for safety and had a balaclava in his possession anyway,” Ms Nadeem said.

Asking his father, who sat in the well of the court, if he thought his son could be bailed, he said: “He doesn’t seem to keep himself out of trouble.”

When asked if he thought an electronic curfew would assist, he said: “To be honest, I don’t think it will. I think he would cut it off. In my opinion, it needs stopping now before something happens and he gets four to five years.”

Bailing his with stringent conditions, DJ Hogarth said the offences of which he had pleaded guilty were ‘unpleasant’.

“Almost every person saying they didn’t get involved with the intent to cause damage using violence – the culmination of that and the combination of people and their behaviour has caused real disorder to people. You are part of that,” she said.

“I made no promises about what your sentence is going to be.” He will next appear back at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on September 10.

Manchester Evening News