Boy, 16, pleads guilty to role in Bolton disorder

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following disorder in Bolton town centre on August 4.

During a ‘flare up’ at around 2pm, the boy was caught on CCTV throwing an object towards mounted officers, who were trying to disperse the protesters, the court heard.

“CCTV also caught him walking with the protesters whilst carrying a weapon,” prosecutor Tess Kenyon said.

He was also caught on CCTV pulling up the shutters of a store whilst others were going inside to loot it. Damage was also caused to the front of the store.

In a statement, the shop owner said he believed the shop was targeted ‘due to racism’.

Mitigating, Ms Dyson said he had been ‘easily led’ and he had ‘simply joined in’.

“He is extremely frightened at the prospect of remand,” she said.

The boy’s mum, who was wiping tears from her cheek throughout, was asked by the judge: “What has gone wrong?”

She explained that there had been some difficulties at home and with her health.

“He is a lovely boy,” she wept. District Judge Joanne Hirst replied: “They all are until they hurt somebody or loot something.”

Addressing the 16-year-old, who looked visibly upset, she said: “This is a very serious situation – there is a high risk you will serve a period of custody.

“You should be thoroughly ashamed. A lot of you people go through a lot more and don’t go out committing offences.”

The boy was remanded into local authority accommodation and will be sentenced on September 2 at Manchester Youth Court.

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