17-year-old who wrote ‘come on rioters’ on Facebook receives one year social media ban
A 17-year-old youth who wrote ‘come on rioters’ on Facebook has been banned from social networking sites for a year, along with community service, a rehabilitation order, and a curfew.
Appearing at Bury St Edmunds Youth Court, the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted sending out a message saying "I think we should start rioting, it's about time we stopped the authorities pushing us about and ruining this country.
"It's about time we stood up for ourselves for once. So come on rioters - get some. LOL."
He had deleted the post by the time that the police had been alerted and arrived at his door.
Defence solicitor Paul Booty said his client, who has a previous conviction for actual bodily harm, had made a mistake and the comment had been a foolish prank.
The youth told magistrates "I meant it as a joke which is why I wrote LOL at the end."
As well as being banned from social networking sites, the youth was ordered to complete 120 hours community service, a 12 month youth rehabilitation order and a 7pm and 6am curfew for three months.