How one of Britains youngest rioters, 12, avoided being detained as he apologised and claimed not to know what asylum seekers are after mob violence outside hotel - while his mother who flew to Ibiza on holiday instead of attending court is fined
A 12-year-old rioter avoided being detained as he apologised and claimed he did not know what an asylum seeker is.
A 12-year-old rioter avoided being detained as he apologised and claimed he did not know what an asylum seeker is.
The child admitted being involved in violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Newton Heath, where missiles were launched towards the building.
He was also involved in the looting of a Sainsburys store in Manchester city centre.
The boy was seen on CCTV in Newton Heath on a bike, where he rode in front of a bus which was forced to stop. He later kicked the bus, with the driver and the bus coming under further attack by others. He was also seen handing a rock to someone else.
The boy was present on Mosley Street in Manchester city centre days later, wearing a balaclava, where he and others were involved in looting a Sainsburys store. He also joined others in kicking the front of a vape shop.
The boy, who cannot be identified due to his age, was sentenced at Manchester youth court on Wednesday morning.
During the hearing, the boy was questioned by District Judge Joanne Hirst about his behaviour.
He told the judge he did not know what an asylum seeker is. After CCTV of the incidents had been played, she asked the boy what he thought of the footage. I thought it was really funny and stuff [at the time] but right now, yeah, its horrible.
Riot police in central Manchester on August 3, which was the day the boy joined the disorder
He agreed that it was an important day for him. He said: Im just worried that I might get, like, jail.
Judge Hirst explained asylum seekers are people from another country who are seeking safety in our country. The judge asked the boy if he had a message for them.
I wouldnt know what exactly to say, but I would say sorry, the boy said. The child admitted that it did feel wrong when he attended the second incident. He said: I got too carried away with my friends.
I dont think you are going to forget this day, the judge told him. You have been very brave talking to me.
I know its not easy talking to a judge. You have done very well. Im going to give you a chance, but please know its probably the biggest chance youre ever going to get to put things right now.
The child, who was described as a lovely, affectionate little boy by his mother, was sentenced to a 12-month referral order, as well as a three-month curfew.
The boys mother has been ordered to pay £1,200 after opting to fly to Ibiza for a sunshine break instead of attending her sons planned sentencing.
After being hauled to court by a judge - who said she was frankly astonished by her failure to show up - she was today told to hand over a sum equivalent to the cost of the holiday to those terrorised by the 12-year-olds violence.
It will be divided between four people left traumatised by the anti-immigration disturbances which followed the stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport.
Police stand outside a Sainsburys store in Manchester on August 3. The boy was part of a group filmed looting a branch of the supermarket and kicking the windows of a vape shop
The order came as her son received an intensive referral order designed to keep him out of trouble after being told his life was at a crossroads.
The child, an aspiring DJ who doesnt attend school and hadnt been taking his medication for ADHD, admitted being part of a mob that attacked a bus outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.
Days later on August 3, in Manchester city centre, he was part of a group filmed looting a branch of Sainsburys and kicking the windows of a vape shop.
He had been due to be sentenced last week – but the case was adjourned after District Judge Joanne Hirst told of her incredulity that his mother had flown out to the Spanish island the day before for a five-day trip.
Summonsing the mother, Judge Hirst said she would require a full explanation from her into the serious situation which had deteriorated as a result of her decision not to accompany her son, who was instead escorted by an uncle.
She is on notice, I will be challenging her about this decision, she added.
Today the mother was ordered to explain her actions by Judge Hirst ahead of her sons sentencing at Manchester Magistrates Court.
The woman – who cant be named to protect her sons identity – said it had not been put to her how much I actually needed to be there.
She said the trip - which cost more than £1,000 - had been booked before the court date was arranged.
Police form a line to separate opposing demonstrators in Manchester on August 3
Asked by Judge Hirst if she felt she had been prioritising her sons needs, she replied: Not really, no.
Do you understand now how important it is for a parent to attend and to be accountable for the actions of a child theyre bringing up? Judge Hirst asked.
Yes, she replied.
Judge Hirst then told her to be seated while her son was brought in, sitting alongside her in the well of the court.
It was shown shocking CCTV showing the boy using his bike to stop a bus passing a protest outside a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers.
The bus driver was then attacked by hooded thugs as the boy kicked out at the vehicle.
Later that evening he was filmed handing a rock to a rioter throwing missiles at police.
Days later – now wearing a balaclava - he was captured while part of a mob storming shops in the centre of Manchester, leaving customers cowering in terror.
A statement was read from the bus driver – left needing hospital treatment – who said he had been left scared to deal with members of the public.
The court also heard from an asylum seeker staying at the hotel who said: I came to this country to feel safe, but since this incident I dont feel safe any more.
The mother admitted she regularly struggled to get him to come home at night and hadnt known where he was during the riots.
Judge Hirst said an adult involved in similar violence would have been jailed for up to five years.
Police outside a Holiday Inn hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester, on July 31 following rioting
But due to his age, absence of previous convictions, and early guilty pleas to two counts of violent disorder, she could not lock him up, she said.
Telling him it was probably the biggest chance youre ever going to get, she imposed a 12-month intensive referral order to address his behaviour.
He is also subject to a three-month overnight curfew.
Judge Hirst ordered his mother – who does not claim benefits – to pay £300 in compensation to each of the bus driver, the asylum seeker, a housing official at the hotel and a Sainsburys worker, at £100-a-month.
She nodded as Judge Hirst said the total order of £1,200 was approximately the same price as your holiday to Ibiza.
She was also made subject to a six-month parenting order.
Last week the judge said she was frankly astonished after discovering the 12-year-olds mother had missed his planned sentencing and jetted out to the Spanish island for a five-day trip.
The youngster was one of the youngest to take part in sickening violence which broke out after the stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29.
At last Mondays hearing, Judge Hirst was told the boys mother was not present, having booked a holiday in July and gone abroad the previous day.
She was only due to fly back to the UK last Thursday, missing his sentencing hearing.
The judge thanked the boys uncle for accompanying his nephew to court in his mothers absence, but added: One day before the hearing we find out the mum has gone on holiday and is not with her son who played a greater part in the recent civil disorder than any adult or child Ive seen coming through these courts.
Im frankly astonished. I will require a full explanation from mum on her decision to go on holiday one day before her 12-year-old son comes to court facing a potential custodial sentence.
This is a serious situation, it has now deteriorated in my view because of the actions of the mother. She is on notice, I will be challenging her about this decision.
Judge Hirst adjourned sentencing of the boy and ordered a parental summons so the mother must appear before the court to explain herself.
Addressing the boy as she adjourned sentencing to today, Judge Hirst told him: Boys like you need their mums in their lives. I need your mum here.
Neither the boy nor his mother can be identified due to his age.
Afterwards John Moran, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: It is deeply concerning to see young people engaging in the disorder that has plagued our streets.
The fact this boy took steps to shield his identity shows he knew what he was doing was wrong, the fact the behaviour was repeated increases the seriousness of the acts.
This behaviour cannot go unchallenged; we will continue to work side by side with the police and our partners across the criminal justice system to ensure justice is delivered robustly and swiftly.
