'I was just going shopping' claim after city riots

STRING OF EXCUSES PUT FORWARD BY THOSE INVOLVED IN DISORDER

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

EVER since disorder broke out on our streets in the summer, dozens of thugs have been hauled before the courts to face justice.

And at several of the court hearings, rioters put forward ridiculous excuses.

Large scale disorder broke out in Newton Heath on July 31, outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, at a far-right demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens on August 3 and at a similar event in Bolton the following day.

It followed a wave of disorder across the country following the tragic deaths of three young girls in Southport. Below are some of the more ridiculous excuses put forward by rioters in Manchester.

Charlie Mott, 28, was captured on CCTV footage wearing a face covering as he gestured to a large group of rioters to enter the store on Mosley Street. He followed them in and stole numerous items.