Lancashire Telegraph
October 26, 2015
RIVAL gangs of Asian and white teenagers clashed outside an Oswaldtwistle high school at home time.
Blackburn magistrates heard sticks were used as weapons, stones thrown and a metal road sign hurled into a crowd. And the court heard the violent clash had been set up via Facebook following a fight between two students the day before.
Two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to affray. One was made subject to a referral order for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of two teachers who were on duty at the time of the incident and tried to keep the rival factions apart.
The other youth was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with the magistrates warning him they were considering imposing a detention and training order.
Dominic Howell, prosecuting, said the defendants were part of a larger group which turned up outside Rhyddings High School at home time. “Prior to this incident there had been a fight in the school between an Asian pupil and a white pupil,” said Mr Howell. “There was some posting on Facebook and the teachers believe this was some kind of reprisal and that it was racially motivated,” said Mr Howell. “The group these two were part of were intent on attacking Asian pupils.”