Boy, 13, admits disorder through floods of tears

A boy who threw a traffic cone at a police car during this summer's rioting told a judge he will "never be bad again" as tears streamed down his face while he was given a 12-month youth referral order.

The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also caught on CCTV wielding a hammer in Hull city centre on 3 August.

At Hull Magistrates' Court earlier, which was sitting as a youth court, the teenager, flanked by his parents, admitted violent disorder through floods of tears while being comforted by his mother.

During the plea hearing, Judge Mark Daley accepted the boy had not intended to cause trouble.

Violence flared in several towns and cities across England following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

In Hull, a hotel was targeted, police officers were attacked with missiles, shops looted and cars were damaged and set alight as a demonstration descended into chaotic unrest.

Prosecutor Emily Robinson told the court the boy was present with a large group and had thrown the traffic cone at the police car, which was parked on Ferensway, and landed just short of hitting the vehicle.

In footage played to the court, the youngster was seen walking through a crowd of people with the cone before hurling it. The mob, which included John Honey, who was jailed for his part in the riot, was repeatedly attacking the vehicle.

The judge heard the 13-year-old saw a hammer on the bench and picked it up "not knowing what to do with it".

Mitigating, solicitor Craig Davie said his client had not threatened anyone with it and was incredibly remorseful about his actions.

He said the boy had played a small role and accepted he should not have taken part.

Mr Davie added: "At the time he didn't think of the consequences but only afterwards did he realise how serious it was and the impact of it.

"He attended town with a friend and it took him by surprise. He allowed himself to get involved."

Mr Davie said the boy's actions had left him fearful of the impact on his future.

Handing the referral order, Judge Daley explained to the boy why he decided not to jail him.

"A lot of people went into town to cause trouble but I don't think you were one of them," he said.

Just before the sentence was passed, the boy's father told the judge: "This has given him a kick up the bum."

"I'm never gonna do anything bad again," added the child, while wiping his tearful face.

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