Teen avoids jail for riot after dad ordered him to put down missile

Lad handed himself in after 'moment of stupidity'

- Sentinel Reporter

A TEENAGER who became embroiled in the violent disorder during the summer riots in Hanley has been spared jail.

Lewis Holdcroft turned up at the city centre protest last August wearing a hoodie and was seen to encourage others taking part in the disturbance. At one point the 19-year-old, left, picked up a missile but did not throw it. Instead he handed it to someone else who hurled it towards a police cordon separating his group from the counter-protesters.

Now Holdcroft has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Bennett said the large-scale public disorder took place in Hanley on August 3 last year.