Teenager, 14, caught up in Southport riots avoided court after getting a scolding from parents
Over 600 people, including more than 75 children, have been charged over the riots
A TEENAGER caught up in far-right riots got such a scolding from his parents that he avoided court.
Prosecution chief Stephen Parkinson said the lad, 14, was marched to a police station by his furious mum and dad.
He said the Crown Prosecution Service and police decided their anger at the boy would be more effective than any legal action.
But he added that some families treated summer disorder — after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport, Merseyside — as a bit of fun.
Mr Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “We’ve come across instances of families regarding it as a day out.
“But conversely, we had an instance where a family marched their 14-year-old to the police station.
“And actually, we took the decision that the wrath that had been visited on that child by his parents was more effective than anything the criminal justice system could deliver.
“So we took no further action.”
Over 600 people, including more than 75 children, have been charged over the riots.
Mr Parkinson defended the tough sentences handed out, saying they “probably sent shockwaves” and helped end the violence.