Boy, 11, threw petrol bomb during trouble, court told

There was violence at Broadway roundabout on several nights in July

An 11-year-old boy has appeared at Belfast Youth Court charged with a number of offences relating to disorder in south Belfast in July.

He is accused of riotous assembly, three counts of possessing petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances and throwing a petrol bomb with intent to cause damage or destruction of a police Land Rover.

He was further charged with causing an explosion likely to endanger life and possessing an offensive weapon in public, namely bricks.

The charges relate to disorder which took place at the Broadway roundabout in south Belfast on 15 July.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, confirmed to the court he understood the charges against him.

The court heard he was arrested after police viewed footage of the disorder.

A defence lawyer said the boy would be pleading not guilty to the charges.

He added that his client had never been in court before and was due to be in school.

The solicitor also expressed concern that while his client was interviewed by police with an appropriate adult, he was not with a solicitor.

The court was told that papers in the case had yet to be served.

The case was adjourned for six weeks until 18 October.