Youth hurled brick at off-licence

A YOUTH threw a brick as a gang caused havoc at an off-licence, a court heard.

Trouble began when four members of staff at the store in Woodstock Green, Fitton Hill, noticed youths kept closing down shutters to the store around 8.30pm on November 15, 2011, in an attempt to provoke a response.

Oldham Magistrates Youth Court heard how one of the youths was grabbed by a member of staff outside the shop. The defendant (15) — who claimed to be the cousin of the grabbed youth who was later freed — began throwing stones after seeing his relative handled and admitted to picking up a brick and throwing it towards the front door of shop.

The shopkeeper used his hand to block the brick.

The youths were caught on CCTV gathering around the store which was displayed in court at a earlier hearing.

The defendant pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced on Friday to a 12-month rehabilitation order and his parent was ordered to pay £85 in court costs.

Defending, John Wright, said: “He accepts he should not have done it. He is extremely remorseful and embarrassed to be here in court.” The youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, also cannot enter Woodstock Green for the next three months.