Mum of child rioter, 12, to appear in court after 'missing son's hearing for Ibiza holiday'

A 12-year-old boy is due to be sentenced today after the hearing was postponed due to his mum flying out to Ibiza on holiday.

Last week, District Judge Joanne Hirst said she was 'frankly astonished' that the boy’s mum had decided to fly abroad for a five-day sunshine break on the Spanish island, with her son due in court having admitted two counts of violent disorder. She postponed the sentencing at Manchester Magistrates' Court until today (September 11).

The judge issued a parental summons, meaning the boy's mum must appear in court. "One day before the hearing we find out the mum has gone on holiday and is not with her son who played a greater part in the recent civil disorder than any adult or child I've seen coming through these courts", Judge Hirst said last Monday.

READ NEXT: Boy, 11, pulled out of school because his walk to class is 'too dangerous'

"I'm frankly astonished. I will require a full explanation from mum on her decision to go on holiday one day before her 12-year-old son comes to court facing a potential custodial sentence.

"This is a serious situation, it has now deteriorated in my view because of the actions of the mother. She is on notice, I will be challenging her about this decision."

Addressing the boy as she adjourned sentencing, Judge Hirst told him: "Boys like you need their mums in their lives. I need your mum here.”

The boy, who cannot be identified due to his age, admitted being part of a mob that attacked a bus outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31. A few days later, on August 3, he was seen in a group in Manchester city centre, kicking the windows of a vape shop and hurling a missile at a police van.

The riots came as dozens of towns and cities saw violence