A teenager with no previous convictions became involved in an evening of serious disorder which blighted a community to try to impress older youths present.

Harley Coates, who had only turned 18 weeks earlier, was among youths and young people attending what began as a remembrance vigil for a young woman who died in Seaham, in April.

Durham Crown Court heard that police received information that what was to be a peaceful balloon release, on the evening of April 27, might lead to more troubling behaviour, with “suggestions” that a car may be stolen and set alight.

Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, said officers were drafted in from other parts of the county and a police helicopter was deployed to monitor the situation from above.

A group of between 150 and 200 youths gathered in fields off Malvern Crescent and fireworks and flares were let off, from about 5pm.

(Image: Facebook) Mr Mullarkey said police were patrolling surrounding streets and a marked force car containing two officers was rammed by an offender driving a Nissan Juke, bearing no registration plates, at about 7pm.

The officers in the police car suffered the effects of whiplash in the collision, after which the Juke was reversed and driven away.

Another officer in a vehicle at the top of Malvern Crescent saw a large group of youths approaching and had to take evasive action.

Mr Mullarkey said the Juke was driven onto the grassy area where Coates, who was wearing a baseball cap, was seen placing lit pieces of paper into the car to set it alight after he smashed the windscreen.

This vehicle and two others were set on fire, but before the flames fully took hold attempts were made to drive one of them, but by then it was incapable of being driven due to the damage caused.

Other youths climbed onto one of the vehicles gesturing at the police carrying out aerial surveillance in the helicopter.

Mr Mullarkey described it as “large-scale and widespread violent disorder” which included the use of petrol bombs and incendiary devices, with scenes of, “serious disruption, which included attacks on police.”

Coates was among those subsequently arrested and he made no comment in police interviews, but in a prepared statement he denied being involved.

By the time he appeared before magistrates, in June, the defendant, of Ryton Crescent, Seaham, admitted a charge of violent disorder.

(Image: Facebook) Martin Scarborough, representing Coates, told the crown court sentencing hearing: “It has to be accepted his behaviour was completely unacceptable that day.

“It seems clear from the report that is before the court that he shows genuine remorse.

“He’s only 18 and clearly immature.

“The fact that he had only just turned 18 does not mean a switch is pressed and he suddenly becomes mature.

“He clearly got involved and wanted to look good to older people present.”

Mr Scarborough said the defendant has been taken under the wing of a man hoping to find him employment in the events industry.

He has also become involved with the charity HumanKind.

Mr Scarborough said at the time his behaviour was affected by the use of cocaine, cannabis and alcohol.

But he said Coates is “proud” to have gone 100 days without using cocaine, is 30-days sober and has reduced his use of cannabis.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Passing sentence, Judge Nathan Adams immediately told the defendant he would not be receiving a custodial sentence, but he said he had come “very close” to going behind bars for the first time.

Addressing Coates, Judge Adams told him: “If you step even one foot out of line again, commit any further offence or do anything like this again, you’ll be getting locked up.

“You became involved in horrific public disorder which went far wider.

“What should have been a peaceful remembrance became a gathering of those whose only interest was significant disorder, putting the police and public at risk of violence.

“It’s the wider impact on the community of those engaging in it.

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“Your presence and acting as you did only encouraged others to take part.”

The judge said he acknowledged this had nothing to do with the subsequent disorder which blighted many communities across the country in the summer.

A 27-year-old co-accused, from Seaham, who has also admitted a charge of violent disorder, will be sentenced at a later date.