Boy launched stones at police whilst stood next to war memorial during Bolton riot

A teenager who 'dishonoured the war dead' by launching stones at police whilst stood next to a war memorial during the Greater Manchester riots has avoided being detained.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, was involved in the 'large scale violent disorder' in Bolton on Sunday, August 4, a court heard.

He was captured on CCTV throwing missiles towards officers, whilst standing near the memorial in Nelson Square, off Bradshawgate.

READ MORE: All the thugs who have pleaded guilty so far amid violent disorder in Greater Manchester

The violence in the town was 'clearly planned in advance' as many of those involved had brought weapons with them, and 'the only reason for that is to inflict injury on rival groups and cause damage to property' Prosecutor Anne Deakin said.

She said the boy was seen in the footage 'with a brick in his hand.' The boy, who the court was told has no previous convictions and is from a 'decent family' pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the Youth Court at Manchester Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard he currently works as a landscape gardener and had done 'for many years.' The boy's parents were in court with his father telling the court they 'weren't a particularly political family' and that the boy's sister is mixed-race.

Ellie Akhgae, defending, said: "He tells me, in truth, that the political issues raised appear far less important than the opportunity to cause a disturbance."

She said his involvement was 'clearly motivated by social media trends.' She said the boy 'didn't have a political leaning' and that 'in fact it seems his knowledge of the current political climate, and issues regarding immigration, are nearly non-existent.'

"People of such a young age are