by A teenager who claimed he was “going to buy a drink” before a group of angry youths tried to break into a shop has been sentenced by a judge. The 17-year-old was among a number of teenagers seen outside the convenience store in Bolton town center during protests and counter-protests on August 4 this year.
Outcry has been seen across the country after incorrect information was found online about the identity of the man suspected of murdering three children who were killed in Southport last month, including areas across the north west such as Newton Heath, Manchester city center and Bolton. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the boy, who was 16 at the time but has since turned 17, was caught on CCTV wearing a face mask.
Police were deployed to keep the peace between the two sides, after which 20 to 30 youths continued to disturb them, the court heard. Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls said: “This boy was one of the young people, he was involved in an incident at a shop, which is the AMZ Asia Store. The owner has owned it for 11 years.” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest news
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“He decided to open the shop around 1pm. He saw some people in masks and police outside the shop and realized that people were protesting. He decided to close until things calmed down.”
Later that day, the situation appeared to be settled and he decided to open his shop, she said. But, fifteen minutes later, as he stood at the cash register, he saw a masked person on a bicycle outside, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“He then got off the bike, threw the bike and looked directly at him from outside the shop,” said Mr Nicholls. “The owner was worried and ran to the front door because he was worried he was going to get robbed.”
“He heard the man shouting at someone and then three or four people immediately came and tried to open the front door by pushing, kicking and punching the door. He grabbed his keys from his pocket to put the shutter down , the youths tried to stop the valve from coming down.”
“During that time a number of people could be heard shouting: “You’re going back, no good, b*****d”. He believed they were trying to rob the shop. “
After successfully lowering the shutters, the owner remained inside the store, listening to the group beating them for several seconds before they finally dispersed. The glass door was left completely shattered, and the wooden panels were damaged, with the total repair cost estimated at between £1,200 and £2,000.
In a personal victim statement, the owner of the shop expressed: “I was worried about my safety and protecting my shop. I was afraid at the time because I was alone.”
“I believed that I was targeted because of my race. It made me feel bad. I have lived in this country for a long time and my children have grown up here. I now stand outside my shop without fear that I will be targeted again. I am always on the edge.”
In mitigation, Dan Gaskell, representing the boy, noted his client’s previous conviction for possession of a bladed article, and obtained a referral order for him. He highlighted the boy’s ‘good motivation’ to approach youth justice services and his ‘limited role’ in the violence in the shop.
“This is a young man with a complicated history. He was left to fend for himself as a child and is in the care of the local authority. He is young enough to learn from his mistakes,” said Mr Gaskell.
District Judge Margaret McCormack asked the boy: “What do you have to say to yourself?”, He said: “Firstly, I’m sorry about the shop. I didn’t mean to damage the shop. First I was I want to go and get a drink.”
Interrupting him sharply, the judge snapped back: “No, I don’t have that. I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve seen that film, it was very volatile.”
“Don’t come here and insult me by telling me you wanted to go buy something. I’ve seen how threatening those groups of young men are, undercover.”
“Don’t test my patience, it was a very volatile situation. That man in that shop, whether it was you or not, but he was subjected to racial abuse. He was born and raised in this country. Running business. could have been taken away from him. Do you know how serious he is”.
The teen answered quietly: “Yes.” To get the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter
“I’ve read your background and you had a terrible upbringing that no child should be put through. But you know the difference between right and wrong. You know you were doing wrong,” the judge told him. .
She then pressed for any last words from the defendant with a warning directive: “What else do you have to say to me? And don’t treat me like an idiot.”
In an apologetic tone, the boy replied: “I’m very sorry and it won’t happen again.”
The teenage defendant pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and violent disorder, receiving a strict 12-month youth rehabilitation order, including a three-month electronically monitored curfew from 7pm to 7am, activity requirements of up to 91 days, and supervision of the youth justice service. The court also ordered him to pay £200 compensation to the shop owner.
District Judge McCormack gave a pointed warning when sentencing the teenager: “If you come back I’m not going to put you in jail, it’s going to be you.”
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