Teen’s attack ‘racially motivated’ during disorder – court
A teenager has admitted kicking a man in an attack during disorder that broke out in Liverpool city centre.
George Clements, from Egerton Street in New Brighton, pleaded guilty to committing affray in Church Street on 3 August after the court was shown footage of him assaulting a man.
The prosecution told the court Clements’ actions were racially motivated and caused serious fear or distress.
The 18-year-old was sentenced to 16 months in a young offenders institution but the punishment rose to two years, as he had breached the terms of a suspended sentence from May for motoring offences.
‘No excuse’
Mobile phone footage showed him hitting a man’s hand before kicking him and making an offensive gesture, while other members of the public tried to protect the victim and shouted “Stop it, get back” at Clements.
His defence said he did not have a leading role in the violence but was “a young fool acting in an aggressive way”.
Riots erupted nationwide following the Southport knife attacks, in which three young girls were killed.
The teenager’s defence said he was ashamed of his actions and that he had come from a hard-working family.
The defence said the 18-year-old was suffering from “mental torment” after a relative had been diagnosed with a serious illness, however Judge Cummings KC did not accept that it played a part, adding: “Nothing excuses your behaviour.”
Far-Right Criminals 