A dad from Bolton chased rioters with a hammer after they set upon his van while his children were on board. 

Daniel Robinson, 40, was driving his van along Great Moor Street on August 4 this year when a group of "around 20 youths" surrounded him. 

Robinson retaliated, grabbing a hammer, getting out of the van and chasing after the youths. 

On Thursday October 10, he was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty for possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. 

Prosecuting, Katie Walden said: "The defendant does set out an account that youths who were seen in the video surrounding vehicle and antagonising him." 

Judge Jon Close added: "He says he was on his way home from work and was present in his vehicle with his children. 

"He says he was set upon by 20 youths with balaclavas, one said 'I will cut you'. 

"He took a hammer that was in the vehicle and pursued the youths away from his vehicle." 

Miss Walden added: "It is not suggested in any way that the defendant was taking part in the riots." 

A video of the offence was then played in court. It showed a gang of youths walking down Great Moor Street in the town centre, many with hoods up and balaclavas on. 

The defendant could then be seen chasing after them, hammer in hand, as they run away and turn the corner onto Bradshawgate. He then returned to the van. 

Later on in the same video, the defendant was seen getting out of his van again with the hammer and chasing away some more youths. 

Miss Walden said: "He then returns to his vehicle and is apprehended by the police." 

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Robinson, of Bradford Street, Bolton, has 11 convictions for 13 offences, but his last conviction was in 2012. 

Defending, Umar Shahzad, said: "This defendant is a victim of the riots. He had picked up his elder daughter and his younger daughter on his way home when 20 individuals some with balaclavas, made threats and attacked his vehicle. 

"He accepts that he should have driven off rather than stopping and confronting these individuals. 

"With the second instance, the defendant says a group of individuals were attempting to return to the vehicle, hence why he left the vehicle again.

"He doesn't continue to chase, stops and returns to his vehicle, then he can see from his mirror they are not coming back." 

Judge Close added: "It appears he is trying to chase them off rather than chase them to do violence. He was demonstrably in his work vehicle and not part of the riots." 

Mr Shahzad also stressed that three character references had been given on Robinson's behalf and highlighted his early guilty plea. 

Concluding, Judge Close said: "You were driving home from work with your two children and were surrounded by masked youths, one being armed. 

"You armed yourself with a hammer and chased them off. It is not far off a complete defence, you were not armed when you went to the scene and acted out of fear and reacted immediately to the situation put before you. 

"It is clear there is genuine shame and regret, which is supported by probation." 

He gave him a 12 month community order, with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Robinson was also ordered to pay a £500 fine within 28 days.