A TEENAGER who was named and shamed after using a social networking website to encourage disorder has avoided jail.

Johnny Melfah, aged 16, told Worcester Youth Court he was “very sorry” for posting the messages on Facebook during the height of the riots during sentencing yesterday.

Melfah found himself at the centre of a media storm when magistrates agreed to lift restrictions which would have prevented the Press from reporting his name.

His solicitor Sam Lams-dale made an application for the restrictions to be reimposed after the teen received hate mail – including an abusive letter allegedly sent by a convicted paedophile.

But her attempt was unsuccessful as chairman of the bench Paul Vaughan said the court wanted to make certain the public was aware of the legal perils of the “unfettered” use of Facebook and Twitter.

Samantha Dixon, prosecuting, said an anonymous caller tipped off police about comments Melfah, an apprentice at a building firm, posted on Facebook site ‘Letz start a riot’ on August 9.

He was arrested just before 10pm that evening at Worcester bus station.

One of the messages said: “Anybody want to start some riots in Worcester?”, while another read, “So anyone down for Brum tomorrow? Free iPads available.”

In defence, Miss Lamsdale said while her client admitted to posting the messages, he had not acted on them and did not participate in any criminal damage, theft or disorder.

“There was a lot of activity on Facebook that day amongst his peers and he got caught up in the moment and foolishly joined in,” she said.

“Johnny does very much regret his actions that day. This was an offence committed over a few hours. He does now feel very sorry about having participated in that way.”

Sentencing, Mr Vaughan said although the bench accepted Melfah had not intended to start a riot, his comments had helped to fuel a “self-feeding horror”.

“It bears repeating that the case we have been hearing today is set against the background of some of the worst civil disorder we have experienced in our lifetime,” Mr Vaughan said.

“Your posts on Facebook amounted to incitement. Even in the event you didn’t follow them up, they served to help to fuel a self-feeding horror and new technology exacerbates the situation and puts you in touch instantly with other like-minded people.

“And for people of my generation watching it unfold, it was terrifying and quite terrible.”

Melfah, of Thames Drive, Droitwich, was ordered to undertake a 12-month youth rehabilitation order, carry out 80 hours unpaid work over the next year and pay £85 costs.

A 9pm to 7am curfew imposed while he was on police bail will also remain in place for the next three months.

Speaking outside court, Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams of West Mercia Police said the sentence had been “fair” and he hoped the case would act as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to incite disorder through social networking sites.

• For the full statement click here for yesterday's web article.