First person jailed for criminal damage after recent UK public disorder
A teenager is believed to be the first person who has been jailed amid the horrifying riots taking place across the UK.
18-year-old James Nelson - who smashed up police cars in Bolton on Sunday (4 August) - has plead guilty to causing criminal damage.
He was sentenced to two months behind bars at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor John Potter said that two police cars were damaged after they were parked in the Morrisons car park on Black Horse Street, as per Manchester Evening News.
Advert
“On the first vehicle, there was significant damage to the windscreen, the side windows were smashed and the driver's side wing mirror was also damaged. On the second vehicle, the back window was smashed and the near side window was smashed, with significant damage to the front window,” he said.
Mitigating, Gabriella Black, said Nelson, who has no previous convictions, suffers from ADHD and hasn't been taking his medication.
“This was in the context of being involved in a situation with a group of people,” she added.
Nelson lives with his grandparents and was said to have acted ‘completely out of character’, the outlet reported.
"Why did he attend wearing a pink balaclava?," District Judge Hurst asked.
"I'm not sure," Black said. “He accepts he was involved in this violence.
“He brought a pink balaclava, though he was clearly identified by witnesses.
“He was not thinking properly, he was immature and naive to the gravity of the consequences of the offences he committed.”
Hirst concluded: “You attended that violence with the intent of causing trouble. You were involved in the appalling and shameful violent disorder that impacted not just the national community, but in particular the Bolton community.
“I accept you may have difficulties but I understand that everyone involved in that violence has difficulties.”
Nelson, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, was also ordered to pay £4,999 in compensation, MEN reported.
Liam Powell, 28, was given a 12-month community order which will be in place until August 2025.
Meanwhile, self-employed builder Joshua Simpson became the first person to be convicted following rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court said that Simpson, 25, was abusive to police before he kicked a riot shield, forcing it back on to an officer’s leg. He admitted assaulting an emergency worker.
The judge said Simpson, who said he is homeless, could face prison time, yet that hasn't been decided yet.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer classed the riots as 'far-right thuggery'.
Anish Vij