Girl, 13, regrets rioting but questions sentence severity

Mother says possible 10-year criminal record is an 'injustice'

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

A 13-year-old girl has admitted she regrets kicking the door of a hotel housing asylum seekers during this summer’s riots – but insists she should not have a criminal record.

The teenager is thought to be the youngest girl convicted of taking part in disorder that erupted in the wake of the fatal stabbing of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

She was last month handed a 12-month referral order after she pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, meaning she must regularly meet with the Hampshire Youth Justice Service. The offence could stay on her criminal record for up to 10 years.

However, the girl, who cannot be named due to her age, has now spoken out about the incident, insisting: “I made a mistake and did something stupid, but I don’t think I deserve a criminal record for so long.”

Police said the youngster was part of a small group that acted aggressively in an otherwise respectful demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 31 July. She was seen violently kicking the doors at the hotel.