Teenager admits violent riots after attack on car during Birmingham riots

A 19-year-old man has admitted being accused of violent disorder after a car was attacked in Birmingham amid false rumours of far-right protests.

Muhammed Ali pleaded guilty to using or threatening to use unlawful violence in the city on August 5, but denied charges of damaging a Skoda Octavia for racist reasons on the same day.

On Monday, Birmingham Magistrates Court was told that Ali had admitted damaging the car but pleaded not guilty to the charge because his conduct was neither racially nor religiously motivated.

Senior prosecutor Amrik Singh told District Judge David Wain: “You will no doubt be aware of the recent unrest that has taken place across the country over the last month.

“As for the defendant, he was seen on August 5 as part of a group of around one hundred protesters marching through Birmingham.”

The court was told that it was not clear from footage of the incident whether Ali, of Yardley Green Road, Bordesley Green, had a weapon with him but “he could be seen smashing the window of the Skoda”.

Defence lawyer Numann Haque told the court that Ali was on his way to his mother's house when he came across the demonstration and someone asked him to join.

“He had no intention of causing trouble for anyone,” Mr Haque said.

The car came into contact with Ali, the defense attorney explained in court, and the teenager admitted that he “intervened in the protest at that time” after other protesters had caused damage.

An application for bail was refused and Ali was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.