Rioters armed with hammers and baseball bats face justice as judge slams 'shameful mass disorder'

Five people including a boy aged 16 have been appeared in court in connection with the trouble that broke out following a protest and counter demonstration in Bolton town centre on Sunday (August 4).

They were the first to face justice following disorder both in Manchester and Bolton over the weekend, which resulted in at least 23 people being arrested. More are facing charges and Chief Constable Stephen Watson has promised 'consequences' for trouble-makers as his officers trawl through CCTV and police body-cam footage.

On Sunday, opposing groups goaded each other - separated by police outside Bolton town hall. One styled itself 'Enough is Enough: Stand up for Country', and the other was a rival group of counter demonstrators.

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During an ill-tempered encounter, bricks and other missiles were launched at riot officers attempting to keep rival factions apart. The protests had been peaceful until the counter protest was swelled by the arrival of around 300 demonstrators.

It sparked angry scenes outside the town hall with both sides chanting towards each other before some of the group of young men ran from the square, pursued by police. This was the beginning of several skirmishes - sometimes violent - between the group and riot police, which included objects being thrown at officers.

Today (august 5), people charged in connection with the trouble appeared before District Judge Joanne Hirst who slammed the 'shameful mass disorder in Bolton yesterday' which included missiles being thrown at police and fireworks being thrown.

Daniel Robinson, 37, of Lesley Street in Bolton, admitted one count of possession of an offensive weapon, a