Boy becomes first youth to be detained for unrest

A large police operation was deployed across Bristol city centre to deal with the protests on 3 August

A 15-year-old boy is believed to have become the first youth to receive a custodial sentence for taking part in disorder that spread across the UK this summer.

He was involved in clashes with police during an anti-immigration march in the centre of Bristol on 3 August.

Bristol Youth Court heard the defendant - who cannot be identified due to his age - swore at police and threw a chair at a police vehicle.

District Justice Nicholas Wattam imposed a four-month detention and training order on the youth, who admitted violent disorder.

Addressing the court, the boy, who has no previous convictions, said: “I really regret it and wish I didn’t go that day. I am very sorry.”

The teen's defence lawyer immediately lodged an appeal against the sentence and applied for bail, which was granted.

During the disorder protestors tried to attack the Mercure Hotel, which has been used to house migrants

Stephen Sadler, prosecuting, told the court the youth was was swearing at police and joined in with chanting in Castle Park and on Bristol Bridge.

He was later filmed in the Redcliffe area, near the Mercure Hotel, which was targeted during the rally as it has been used to house migrants in recent years.

“He appears to throw a bottle towards police officers and just misses a police dog,” Mr Sadler said.

The boy was arrested after handing himself into police following the protest.

Nicola Hutchinson, defending, said the boy had gone into the city centre with a friend after watching a football match but was unaware of the planned protest.

“The bus dropped them outside Primark and they walked towards The Galleries and they saw people throwing items,” she said.

“The friend said they didn’t feel safe and they left. With hindsight he feels he should have done the same.

“It is clear to me from speaking to him that he has little understanding of where this disorder came from.

“He is embarrassed for bringing his family into disrepute and is ashamed by his actions," she added.

'An active participant'

District Justice Nicholas Wattam told the teenager: “There was widespread and very serious public disorder across the country and the public disorder in Bristol on August 3 was one such example, resulting from the tragic events in Southport.

“You say you were in town for other reasons that day and became swept up in it. You did not leave when it became violent.

“At that point you were an active and persistent participant and under the influence of alcohol.

“Ultimately you participated in an incident involving persistent disorder directed towards the police and public.”