Two boys in court over Belfast riots

A 13-year-old boy appeared in court today charged in connection with the Twelfth of July rioting in north Belfast.

A 13-year-old boy appeared in court today charged in connection with the Twelfth of July rioting in north Belfast.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, reportedly handed himself in after police released images of a number of people they wanted to speak to about the trouble in Ardoyne.

He faces two counts of riotous assembly on July 12th and 13th, Belfast Youth Court heard.

The boy, who is not from the Ardoyne area, was the latest in a series of youths and young men to be charged in connection with the violence. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in a fortnight.

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Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy allegedly spotted attacking police with a metal pole during the Ardoyne riots was refused High Court bail today.

A judge ruled that he should remain in custody after studying CCTV footage of the disturbances.

The teenager is also accused of being part of a group who seized a car which was set on fire during the street disorder. He faces charges of riotous assembly, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon, attempted criminal damage, hijacking, criminal damage to a car and possession of herbal cannabis.

According to the prosecution, he was observed throwing bottles and violently smashing the pole down on police lines up to five times.

The court heard allegations that the teenager was among a 100-strong mob who attacked a police vehicle.

Later a masked group went to a house, threatened the homeowner with a golf club and demanded the car parked in the drive, it was alleged.

It was claimed the accused was seen beating the vehicle with a golf club while a mob set it on fire with a petrol bomb.

The teenager was arrested two weeks later at his home with a quantity of cannabis, according to the prosecution.

His defence team disputed the quality of the case against him and the police ability to identify him. They contended that the charges against him were based on theory and speculation, with no forensic evidence to back them up.

Mr Justice Hart had adjourned the case until he could view the available CCTV footage. After watching it, and studying photographs taken from the scene, he ruled that bail should be denied.