Boy, 15, 'so sorry' for part in city riot

After encouraging someone else to smash the window of a Greggs store, the 15-year-old stole food from Greggs.

A 15-year-old boy has told a court he is "so ashamed" of his part in this summer's rioting.

The teenager, who cannot be named, was caught on CCTV throwing missiles at police officers and stealing items from Greggs and Lush in Hull city centre on 3 August.

His parents took him to a police station after they spotted him in videos showing the disorder, Grimsby Magistrates' Court, sitting as a youth court, was told on Thursday.

He pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to violent disorder and two counts of burglary but avoided prison after the judge told him he felt his remorse was "genuine".

The boy stole bath products from Lush

Several towns and cities across England saw disorder following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July in Southport, Merseyside.

In Hull, officers were attacked, shops looted and fires started as a demonstration turned violent.

The boy told the court: "I know what I did was wrong and I can't take back my actions. I am trying my hardest to turn my life around. I’m so ashamed of myself and I am so, so sorry.”

As well as being captured on CCTV, the boy appeared on TikTok videos throwing rocks, water bottles and pieces of metal at police.

He was also seen helping others throw a ladder at officers and encouraged another person to smash the window of a Greggs store before stealing food and moving on to Lush where he helped himself to bath products.

'Supportive family'

Joe Painter, mitigating, said: "He was involved to a significant degree and he appreciates that. It's felt that [the boy] was heavily influenced by his peers."

Sentencing, District Judge Daniel Curtis explained why he had decided not to jail the teenager.

He said: “It is not lost on me that your family, when they saw that you were involved, took you to the police station. That for me is the hallmark of a loving and supportive family.”

The boy, who was supported in the dock by his mother, said: “It has hurt them in many ways. I am willing to do anything to make it right."

The judge said he felt the boy's statement to the court was both "genuine" and "reflects remorse".

“If I sent you to custody, that would have a dramatic impact on your education," said the judge.

“It would have a dramatic impact on your future as a child because it would most likely be that you were in an institution with people that led you astray on the 3rd of August."

In addition to the referral order, the boy was ordered to pay £200 in compensation.

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