Petrol bomber (16) has done first aid burns course and met with riot victims, court told

A TEENAGER who threw petrol bombs at police during rioting in Londonderry last summer has since completed a first aid course on fire burns with firefighters.

Derry Youth Court was told yesterday that the 16-year-old had met with fire officers, who explained to him the impact of petrol bomb burns on the skin — and he has now done a first aid course on burns.

The boy has also heard firsthand from police officers and elderly residents of Alexander House care home i n Bishop Street about how his behaviour had affected their lives.

The boy was caught rioting following three days of disturbances in the Bogside and Nailor’s Row area of Derry in July last year. The youth, who cannot be named due to his age, had a clear record before he was arrested.

He pleaded guilty t o two charges of rioting, two of throwing petrol bombs and two of possessing petrol bombs. He also admitted obstructing a road by building a makeshift barricade at Fahan Street.

A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service said the disturbances took place at Fahan Street, Nailor’s Row and at the interface area between the Fountain and Bishop Street.

At Nailor’s Row, the youth was seen throwing petrol bombs at PSNI officers on the city walls. He was also seen throwing petrol bombs at officers in Fahan Street, as well as building the barricade.

The solicitor said the youth, who wore distinctive clothing and shoes during the disturbances, was later identified by the police as a result of facial and physical profiles recorded on CCTV cameras. When he was arrested on July 14 of last year, he asked the police officers: “How long did it take to know about me?”

Defence barrister Stephen Mooney told Deputy District Judge Liam McStay and two lay magistrates that following his arrest, the defendant spent several days in custody.

He said the youth was 15 years old at the time of his offending and was a patsy for other cowardly people who — rather than take part in disturbances themselves — encouraged others, mainly young people, to do so.

Mr Mooney said the youth had taken part in voluntary programmes since he was released on bail and had adhered to strict bail conditions without coming to the police’s further notice. The Deputy District Judge said the seriousness of the offending, which had affected people throughout the city, could not be overstated. He said the youth, because of his time in custody following his arrest, had a close up and front line view of what it was like to be in custody. Mr McStay said the youth’s behaviour had impacted on many people, including his family.

Mr McStay said he had read the contents of a report compiled by the Youth Justice Agency. It stated that the youth, as part of a restorative justice programme, had visited residents at Alexander House, who had told him how his offending had affected their lives.

He also spoke to the firefighters and police officers to hear at first hand what it was like to have petrol bombs and other missiles thrown at them. “You found out how your behaviour had impacted on so many members of the community. Those people you met as a result of your offending have all said they do not believe custody is the right place for you,” the Deputy District Judge said.

Mr McStay said he also noted that the youth had himself suggested how he should be dealt with by the court. One of the suggestions the youth had put forward was that he should complete a “high number” of community service hours. He said he was reducing the number suggested by the youth to 150 hours. He also banned the youth from going within 500m of any disturbance or police operation for the next year, and placed him on curfew for the next six months.

One girl who contacted Childline said: “I’m so afraid of not getting the right grades.

“I’m terrified that I’ve messed it all up and I’ ll ruin my future. I don’t know how to cope.”

Mairead Monds, head of Childline in Northern Ireland, told students they weren’t alone.

“Reaching out to a parent, teacher or by contacting us at Childline will hopefully put things in perspective and make them feel more positive about receiving their exam results and what comes next,” she added.

A spokesperson for the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) said: “The CCEA understands that results day can be an anxious time for students, their parents and their teachers.

“We have expert staff on hand who will deal with calls on issues such as how to access grade boundaries, information on remarks, access to scripts and online results queries.”

❝ You found out how your behaviour impacted on the community

Childline offers advice 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at www.childline. org.uk. The CCEA helpline is open weekdays until August 30 on 028 9026 1260, with further information at www.ccea.org.uk.