Boat yob brought to justice

A tourist caught the culprit on camera, we showed the picture in our Crimestoppers slot and readers recognised and reported him to police.

Youth justices heard that when the 16-year-old responsible found his picture had been published, he also realised what he had done and told police.

The York youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before the city's youth court and admitted causing actual bodily harm.

He admitted dropping the stone, but denied intending to cause injury.

He was ordered to pay his victim £750 compensation and to undertake a three-month action plan with the York Youth Offending Team.

Today the victim's family thanked the Evening Press and all those who helped bring the case to court.

The relieved mother of 15-year-old Anthoni Stannard said "I am immensely grateful to the people in York."

Anthoni suffered memory loss, severe headaches, ringing in the ears, a possible hairline fracture to the skull and severe bruising in the incident.

"He is recovering," said his mother, "but it is slow progress."

Youth justices heard that after the stone was dropped on to the passing boat, a tourist took a photograph of the youths walking away from the scene, apparently smiling.

For the 16-year-old, Sandra Keen said he had admitted the accusation against him on the basis of recklessness, not because there had been intent to cause injury.

"It never crossed his mind that in throwing the stone he would cause any injury to anyone," she said.

Mrs Keen said the youths had not been smiling because they had hit someone on the boat.

"They were just laughing and joking between themselves," she said.

Mrs Keen said the youth had not realised the stone had hit someone until the story and picture were published.

He contacted police through a friend to say he had been involved.

He was of previous good character and came from a close-knit family "devastated" by what happened, Mrs Keen said.