Boy, 10, faces court for taking gun into shop

A10-YEAR-OLD boy who walked into a shop with a gun is set to become among the youngest to ever appear in court in Stockport - once the council find him.

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was listed to appear before magistrates for an interim ASBO hearing on Wednesday.

But speaking on behalf of the council at the hearing, Alex Bongatel said authorities had been unable to find him or his family to serve the necessary documents to bring him to court.

The boy is to appear in relation to long-running problems caused around the Lancashire Hill and Heaton Norris area.

In addition to carrying a BB gun into a shop he is accused of racist and threatening behaviour as well as aggressively stopping people using lifts in tower blocks.

Mr Bongatel told the youth court: “Unfortunately we have not been able to serve him or his mum, we understand he is no longer at his mum’s address.

“We believe he is in the custody of his father and grandfather. Hopefully when we find where they are we can serve.”

The case was adjourned until March 1.

The council - along with police, Stagecoach Manchester and the Unite Union - is currently tackling an increase in antisocial behaviour across Stockport.

Many instances have involved buses, with a driver attacked, windows smashed and threats issued, as well as taxis.

In response police have been patrolling on buses, two teenagers have been arrested and civil enforcement options such as barring individuals from bus travel are being explored.

But a legal expert has questioned the wisdom of using civil means such as ASBOs and youth injunctions as a means to tackle such problems.

Simon Morton, from Morton’s Solicitors, said: “It is very rare for a 10-year-old to get an ASBO or appear in a court.

But when a youngster gets things such as an ASBO unless they breach the terms there is no sanction or punishment it is just restrictions, so if they have done anything they get away with it.

“I am not a fan of how they are used as a way to label someone. If youngsters are accused of something get them through the criminal justice system so they can be either convicted or acquitted.”

Report anti-social behaviour by calling police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.