Boy, 12, on McDonald’s murder charge

A 12-YEAR-OLD charged with beating a father of four to death blew a kiss to his tearful mother as he was led from the dock in handcuffs yesterday.

The schoolboy and three older teenagers appeared in court accused of kicking and punching Brad Moore, 43, to death outside a McDonald’s last Wednesday evening.

Eyewitnesses told how a gang of youths taunted Mr Moore – who had mental health problems – inside the fast food restaurant before attacking him outside. He died later that night as a result of severe injuries to his head and abdomen, police said.

The four boys charged with his murder – the 12-year-old, two 16-year-olds and a 17year-old – showed little emotion as they made their first court appearance before Oldham magistrates yesterday. Flanked by his noticeably larger co-defendants, the youngest of the group spoke quietly to confirm his name, age and address. But as the four were led away, he glanced up at his sobbing mother in the public gallery and blew her a kiss.

Later, at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Patrick Field, QC, set a provisional trial date for January. The 12-year-old was remanded into local authority accommodation, while his co-accused were all remanded into youth detention custody.