A teenager demanded that a black schoolboy kiss his filthy boot and then punched him after he did so as they walked home from school.
Details of the incident in Carlisle on March 15 last year, which was filmed on a mobile phone and went viral on social media, were outlined at the city’s youth court today.
Prosecutor George Shelley told how the victim had, on March 13, 2024, declined the offer of a fight, and been called a coward.
He was added to a Snapchat group the next day. “He tried to leave the group chat. He was added back (into the group) several times and he was called racial slurs,” said Mr Shelley, who explained that the abuse took the form of words and emojis.
“He attended school on March 15. He gets the impression something is going to happen, asked by another boy whether is walking home or not.”
The victim left school as normal and was approached by four boys — one aged 15 who had previously commented in the Snapchat group.
“(The 15-year-old) has pushed him and asked him to kiss his shoe. He is aware at that point he is being filmed,” said Mr Shelley of footage captured by a bystander.
“‘Kiss my shoe or you are getting whacked’ is what I’ve heard being said. Unfortunately he does kiss the shoe, which was covered in filth. After he kisses the shoe (the victim) walks away before being chased after and struck (by the 15-year-old).”
Video footage showed him making repeated demands and lifting a muddy boot during the initial incident, before landing three blows to the victim’s chest during the assault. A member of the public had then intervened.
The victim was immaculately presented in his school uniform, said Mr Shelley, who added: “There is a real element of humiliation here. He showed significant restraint despite no doubt being absolutely petrified by the situation he was confronted with.”
Video footage of the incident shared on social media had gone viral and attracted nationwide condemnation, said the prosecutor.
It was also sent to the victim’s mother, who learned of the incident.
In an impact statement, she said: “He was scared by the fact more harm would be done to him if he did not kiss the boot.
“When I viewed the video I was shocked and upset.”
“This has impacted me and my family. We are emotionally drained.”
In youth court today the 15-year-old — who cannot be named because he is under 18 — admitted one charge of racially aggravated common assault/beating.
Defence solicitor Duncan Campbell, mitigating, said to magistrates: “The first thing to inform you of is that the defendant is genuinely remorseful and has shown contrition for what has occurred.”
Filming of the incident was not done at the request of the 15-year-old who, said Mr Campbell, was goaded into criminal conduct.
“He did not want to be involved in this,” said the lawyer. “He had never met the boy. He certainly did not want to cause him any harm.
“The family are very keen to point out that the defendant is not — nor is his family — racist in any shape or form. Obviously they have to accept that this offence is racially motivated.”
Since the incident, the boy — of previous good character — had distanced himself from rather unfortunate evil influences with the assistance of relatives.
His mother, who attended court, told magistrates: “He has got a heart of gold. He is a lovely lad. He has just made a stupid mistake. I just feel awful we are at this point.”
Her son told the court he had been goaded and felt under pressure. “I shouldn’t have done what I done,” he accepted.
The boy was made subject to a referral order. This means he will meet with members of the Youth Justice Service before signing a contract committing to work positively with them for 12 months.
He must also pay court costs and £100 compensation to his victim.
