A teenager has been locked up after throwing rocks, stomping on a police car and insulting an officer.

Bradley Wilkinson, 18, played a “prominent” part in the riots in Bolton on August 4 this year, where widespread public disorder took place in the town centre.

Wilkinson, of Half Acre Lane, Blackrod, appeared at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced.

Prosecuting, John Barrett told the court about the circumstances of the day, with rival groups facing off in the town centre separated by police officers, before it escalated to “disorder and violence”.

Wilkinson was caught on body worn camera footage and CCTV, being seen between the times of 1.45pm and 4.55pm.

He was seen at first “not wearing” a face covering in one of the protest groups but was afterwards seen with one on. He was also said to be “seeking confrontation with Asian males” on Bradshawgate.

CCTV footage of Wilkinson’s offending in the riots was shown in court.

At 2.06pm he threw “rocks and stones” at police and other protestors, then shortly afterwards at 2.12pm he was shown pushing an industrial bin towards officers.

Later on, at around 3.15pm, he was shown on Victoria Square with his face covered and holding two wine glasses, one of which was broken.

At 4.20pm, Wilkinson swore at a police officer in a supermarket car park before picking up a bottle and “launching it” at him.

Finally, an untimed incident took place where he climbed onto a police car and “stomped” on its roof.

Mr Barrett described the role he played in the disorder as “prominent”, to which Judge Nicholas Clarke KC replied: “He wasn’t out shopping that afternoon, was he?”

He was then arrested by police while on his way to another protest in Wigan on August 7.

Wilkinson has no previous convictions, the court heard.

He had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

Defending, Michael James said: “I can’t explain for the life of me why he was there, and he can’t either.

“He says he is not racist, one of his best teachers at school was a Mr Patel, and he would never display any racist attitudes.

“This is a young man who has suffered a troubled upbringing.”

He stressed that although Wilkinson was involved in the riots, he has not displayed “any racist or discriminatory behaviour”.

He added: “He has had difficulties in education and emotionally, those led to him doing what we would say is acting in an impulsive and irrational manner.

“He can’t explain why he behaved in this way.”

Mr James highlighted Wilkinson’s educational and behavioural issues in school and his immaturity, having been only 18 when the offence was committed.

He added that the defendant has shown “genuine remorse” and is sorry for what he did.

Judge Clarke said: “You were not there innocently or accidentally, you were there to cause very serious public disorder.”

He added: “It impacted on the harmonious living of diverse groups who normally visit the town centre.

“Members of the public had to run away or take refuge in shops, some had to close early. There was a financial loss in the centre that lingers.”

He described Wilkinson as an “active and persistent participant” in the riots and said that despite his prospect of rehabilitation, he had a “public duty” that those involved in the disorder should be punished appropriately.

He sentenced him to 16 months in custody.

Bolton News