News
Oldham boy, 12, sentenced after taking part in ‘violent disorder’ in Manchester
He was part of a 'disorderly group' in Piccadilly Gardens.
Emily Sergeant -
12th September 2024 
A young boy from Oldham has been sentenced after taking part in ‘violent disorder’ in Manchester city centre last month.
The 12-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – appeared at Manchester Youth Court yesterday (11 September) where the court heard that he had been involved in two instances of disorder in Manchester city centre – one on 31 July outside a hotel that was believed to be housing asylum seekers, and the second on 3 August around Piccadilly Gardens.
On 31 July at around 6pm, the boy was captured on CCTV as part of a group who were said to have become “aggressive”, and were seen throwing rocks and other missiles at police officers who were trying to protect the staff and residents of the hotel.
The boy was seen handing a rock to another boy at the scene, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed.
Later, the group – who were in the middle of the road – stopped a bus full of passengers, and the boy was seen on CCTV kicking out at the bus from his bike.
Following this first incident, the same boy was seen again as part of a disorderly group at Piccadilly Gardens on 3 August, where, at around 3:20pm, the group were moving around the area attacking shop fronts and the boy was filmed with a group of others kicking the front window of a vape shop.
Later, wearing a balaclava to hide his identity, he formed part of a group who appeared to storm a Sainsbury’s Local supermarket.
The boy knocked over shelves within the store, and during the fracas, he was also seen to throw a missile at a police van.
According to the CPS, the boy “made no comment” in his police interview, but he did plead guilty to two counts of violent disorder at the first court hearing on 12 August 2024, before was was sentenced to a 12-month intensive referral order at Manchester Youth Court yesterday (11 September) and ordered to pay £300 in compensation.
Following the sentencing, John Moran, who is the 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, and 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.
Read more:
- Police urge Greater Manchester public for help in identifying ‘violent disorder’ suspects
- Bolton man, 18, becomes first person jailed after UK protests
- Greater Manchester’s communities praised by police for ‘great defiance to disorder’ amid ongoing protests
“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.”
Featured Image – GMP
