Teen handed in by mum after riot avoids detention

Lush was one of several stores to be targeted in Hull city centre on 3 August

A 15-year-old boy who was handed into police by his mother has been given a 12-month referral order, despite a judge saying “detention was thoroughly deserved”.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary of Hull’s Lush store during disorder in the city centre on 3 August.

The boy's mother recognised her son from a police appeal and took him to Clough Road Police Station to hand himself in.

In CCTV footage shown in court, the boy was seen throwing large items including orange barriers at police.

'Not a video game'

Dressed smartly in a white shirt and black trousers, the boy was allowed to have his mother and stepfather sit by his side during the hearing, a privilege given to defendants during a youth court.

Speaking in court, the boy's mother said her son was a "quiet boy" who only had one friend and they were not outgoing. She said he "normally went fishing or played video games".

However, Judge Mark Daley said the disorder the boy took part in “was real life though, and people got hurt".

He added: "It may have felt like a video game, but it’s not like there was a mob and you were separate from it.

“You were enjoying it. You did not have to do it.”

The estimated costs of the riots for Humberside Police totalled £270,000 and 11 officers were injured

In mitigation, solicitor David Robson said the boy had expressed remorse and was apologetic for his behaviour.

He added he had “no interest in anything racist or political”, and, during a “unique event”, he got caught up in a “swarm of people”.

Mr Robson described him as “a young man caught up in something exceptional”.

The boy, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, had only been in trouble once previously after a fight at school.

Following the referral order, the boy will now return to school where he will study for his GCSEs. The court heard he had ambitions to join the RAF and work in engineering.

Declan Wilde was sentenced to four years in prison for his part in the disorder in Hull city centre

A man was also sentenced on Tuesday after attacking an emergency worker during the unrest on 3 August.

Declan Wild, 26, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault of an emergency worker, violent disorder, racially aggravated assault and burglary.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]