He was traced by police due to his ‘distinctive clothing’

A youth who stole vapes worth £15,000 appeared in court today in relation to violent disturbances across Merseyside.

Liverpool Magistrates Court heard that the 16 year-old , who cannot be identified due to legal restrictions, was caught on CCTV breaking a convenience store window with an electric scooter to snatch the vapes and was traced by his distinctive clothing.

The youngster, hailing from Stockbridge Village, was the first to stand before the court this morning. He was charged with violent disorder, two counts of burglary at non-residential properties; criminal damage to a police vehicle and assaulting an emergency worker, reports the Liverpool Echo.

He was amongst the four people who appeared before District Judge Healey on Saturday; the number of men and boys charged in connection to the violent disorder has now reached 25. It comes as violent rioting spread through the streets of Merseyside following the deaths of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, who were killed in the tragic Southport stabbings last month.

The court heard how the 16-year-old was seen on CCTV amongst a group who pulled a police officer off his bike before attacking him. He was also seen jumping on top of a police vehicle where the windscreen was then smashed. He was tracked on CCTV by his distinctive clothing and was seen running along Paradise Street before picking up an electric scooter to smash a window and taking items from SandS News in the city centre. He is seen leaving with a handful of vapes. The boy was later arrested.

Today, he pleaded guilty to all charges. The court has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report and he will appear for sentence on September 17. He was also granted conditional bail and told he was not allowed to enter the L1, L2 or L3 postcodes.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, of Cousins Lane, Rufford, was charged with encouraging an offence of murder; encouraging an either way offence namely violent disorder and possession of a bladed article, also appeared in the dock this morning from police custody.

Judge Healey told McIntyre that the case would need to be dealt with at Crown Court due to the seriousness of all charges. He will appear before Liverpool Crown Court on August 15 and no plea for bail was made today.

George Clements, 18, of Egerton Street, New Brighton, also appeared in Magistrates Court this morning, charged with affray. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard how on August 3 Clements was caught on footage fronting up members of the public wearing a face mask. In the footage he can be seen to kick out and throw things at members of the public who were clearly in distress. Judge Healey sent the case to Crown Court and he will appear for sentence on August 15. Clements was not granted bail.

Paul Daintith, of Fraser Street, Liverpool, appeared in court after he was found with a knife inside the area of a Section 60 order, which police put in place following the violent disorders across Merseyside over the last two weeks. The order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, give officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.

The court heard how the defendant was spotted by officers on East Street, in Southport, walking from the bushes at a quickening pace. The police officers spoke to Dantith where he told them he had just found a craft knife. He then proceeded to lift up his top and showed them the knife tucked into his waistband. Dantith was arrested. It was heard in court how during a police interview following his arrest, when asked why he had the knife, in his words “he was a smackhead who picks everything up.”

The case has been committed to Crown Court for sentence, because the defendant has previous conviction for a similar offence. He will appear at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on August 15. Judge Healey denied bail and remanded Dantith in custody – the defendant turned his back to the judge as he told him he was denied bail – he shouted “w*****” as he was taken down into custody.

Manchester Evening News