Britain's youngest rioter is a "lovely little boy" who just "likes the excitement", his grandmother has claimed.
The 12-year-old boy appeared at a youth court in Manchester this week and pleaded guilty to participating in unrest sparked following the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside.
The judge claimed the pre-teen had been "more involved in the violence and disorder than any other defendant", reducing his mother to tears as she watched on.
The boy's 52-year-old grandmother, who looked after his while his father was behind bars, told MailOnline: "I think he likes the excitement. He's seen a lot of violence in his life, sadly.
'Incredibly sad!' UK's youngest rioter, 12, defended as 'lovely boy' by grandmotherGETTY"His dad is serving a long prison sentence. His mother can't control him."
She added: "It's incredibly sad. He's a lovely little boy when on his own. You'd think he'd actually listen to what you try to tell him but it goes in one ear and out the other."
The boy, who remains unnamed due to his age, struggled to settle into school and found himself in and our of trouble since nursery.
He admitted to two charges of violent disorder, with his lawyer Natasha McGarr confirming he was "absolutely ashamed" of his conduct.
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Riots broke out in the UK Getty The youth court was told that the 12-year-old was involved in two incidents.
He gathered with rioters outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.
Prosecutor Tess Kenyon claimed the boy was videod "handing a rock to another youth", later kicking the side of a bus.
He was also spotted in Manchester city centre on August 3 wearing a balaclava and kicking the front window of a vape shop.
District Judge Joanne Hirst described the case as “very serious” and stressed it was the first time she had dealt with a person “attending both incidents” of disorder.
The riots caused violence and disorder last weekend PA She added: “He’s more involved in the violence and disorder than any other defendant I’ve seen coming through these courts, adult or child.”
The 12-year-old boy was remanded to local authority accommodation.
He will be sentenced at Manchester Magistrates' Court on September 2.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said 1,024 people had been arrested and 575 were charged since unrest broke out late last month
