Daniel Robinson, 37, of Lesley Street in Bolton, admitted one count of possession of an offensive weapon, a hammer, when he appeared before a judge.

The court heard Robinson had not gone into Bolton town centre for the purpose of attending the protests on Sunday but that police found him in possession of a claw hammer outside the Army Careers’ Office.

Prosecutor Mr Cooper said CCTV captured the defendant with the hammer at 5.35pm in Bolton town centre on Sunday.

The defendant appeared to have a claw hammer and when officers attended they found him with the weapon, the court was told.

The court heard the defendant had 11 previous convictions covering 13 offences although the last one was 12 years ago.

He wasn’t directly involved in the protest, the court was told.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told the court she believed her powers ‘are insufficient given the mass violence experienced during the protest in Bolton’ on Sunday.

She adjourned the case until September 2 when Robinson will be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court.

David Philpott, defending, said his client, a pipe fitter, was in his car with two of his children when items were thrown at the car and ‘words were exchanged’ with a group of others.

Robinson made a ‘very very foolish decision’ to pursue them with the hammer, the court heard.

Mr Philpott said:

“He very much regrets his actions.”

The defendant, a father-of-three aged 18 months, six years and 17 years, was granted bail on condition he does not enter Bolton town centre.

Manchester Evening News