A Bolton man made a "cutthroat" action and shouted abuse at counter-rioters. 

Joseph Bigland, 43, was present on the day of the Bolton riots on August 4. 

The event saw two groups of rioters face off against each other on Victoria Square and on Bradshawgate, with police deployed to keep them apart. 

The riots were seen all around the country following the stabbings of 13 people at a dance class in Southport, which caused the deaths of three children. 

Bigland, who is homeless, was seen on the side of the "anti-immigration" rioters on Victoria Square. 

He behaved aggressively to police officers, telling one he would "kick his balls" and shouted abuse at counter-rioters. 

He appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Monday, December 2 for the offence. 

Prosecuting, Philip Hall showed three videos to the hearing which demonstrated Bigland's actions. 

He said: "At 1.50pm the defendant was captured on CCTV on the side of the anti-immigration protestors." 

CCTV footage from 2.17pm was then shown, which caught Bigland holding "two pieces of wood". 

Police body-worn camera footage from 2.31pm shows that he was no longer holding the wood. 

However, in it, officers instruct him to move away, to which he becomes aggressive.

He said "I will kick your balls" and "I will wrap this tripod around your head", referencing a tripod he was holding. 

Bigland also antagonised the counter-rioters, and made a series of aggressive and racist comments.

A video was also shown of him making a "cutthroat" motion with the tripod. 

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When he was arrested by officers on October 19, Bigland said it was "not even him". 

He has 36 previous convictions for 47 offences.

He pleaded guilty on an earlier occasion to violent disorder. 

Defending, Anthony Horsfall said: "It seems it is quite apparent that the defendant took a more peripheral role. 

"There was more widespread violence that day, not by him." 

Judge Jon Close said: "The reality is he participated in what involved widespread violence on people and property. 

"When you are sentenced for violent disorder, it is not just for your role, but your role in assisting those who did participate." 

Mr Horsfall added: "I accept the point that he is being sentenced as part of the group responsible, but there are different roles within that." 

Judge Close then highlighted concern about a mental health assessment into Bigland which had not been done. 

He said how he had been homeless for 11 years and that he had been "addicted to heavy drugs" at points. 

Judge Close also highlighted a five-month stay in a psychiatric hospital that Bigland had last year, but that there was no information about any formal mental health diagnosis. 

Sentencing was adjourned to Friday, December 5, for his medical records to be checked.