A pair who threw missiles at police are to spend a significant stint in prison for their involvement in disorder in Bolton Town Centre.

Niall Charnock and Nigel Simpson were sentenced to 26 months and to 28 months respectively this week at Bolton Crown Court.

Charnock, from Bolton, and Simpson, from Chorley, were in attendance in the town centre on August 4 when there were clashes between protesters and counter-protesters after the killing of three children in Southport.

There were clashes between protesters and counter-protesters in towns across the country at around the same time.

The two men threw missiles at police in two individual incidents.

Charnock, of Fairclough Street, admitted violent disorder at the magistrates court on August 12. Judge Nicholas Clarke sentenced him to 26 months.

The prosecution asked for a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from the town centre but the order was not agreed to by the judge.

(Image: GMP)

Judge Clarke said: "Your attendance was not accidental and by your actions it is clear you attended to engage in violence. Bolton Town Centre was not as battle-scarred as other areas but it is because of the police no member of the public or member of the police was injured."

Simpson, of Deerfold, admitted violent disorder at the magistrates court on August 20. Judge Martin Walsh sentenced him to 28 months.

The prosecution asked for a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from the town centre but the order is to be addressed at a later date.

(Image: GMP)

Judge Walsh said: "Greater Manchester Police had a challenge to protect the public and a dispersal order was put in place after 2pm. Subsequently there were a number of protesters and counter-protesters in the town centre. Many attended to engage in peaceful protest but others attended to engage in violence. At some stage you attended for this purpose."

As of August 22, according to the Ministry of Justice, 576 people have been brought before the courts in relation to the disorder in the UK.

Almost all those to be sentenced have been sentenced to time in prison with a range of two months to six years and an average of two years.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.