Courts Boy, 12, admits to two separate acts of violent disorder in Manchester

A 12-year-old boy has admitted to participating in two separate incidents of disorder in Manchester after he was caught throwing a missile at a police van and kicking the window of a vape shop.

- Emily Dugan

The boy was one of two 12-yearolds who became the youngest to be convicted of criminal offences relating to nationwide disorder earlier this month. They were among a string of offenders in courts across the country who pleaded guilty to charges yesterday relating to the unrest.

Jail terms of up to three years were also issued to those who had admitted to crimes at earlier hearings.

The boy admitted two charges of violent disorder at Manchester magistrates court, sitting as a youth court. District judge Joanne Hirst said the "very serious" case was the first she had dealt with in which someone had taken part in two separate incidents in the city.

He attacked a bus outside a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers on 31 July, kicking it and handing a rock to another youth. Then on 3 August he was filmed kicking the front window of a vape shop during disorder in Manchester city centre.

Hirst said: "He's more involved in the violence and disorder than any other defendant I've seen coming through these courts, adult or child." Another 12-year-old was filmed throwing an object at police and riding off on his bike during unrest in Southport on 30 July and pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool youth court.