Oldham accused appear in court

There has been a heavy police presence in Oldham

A group of 18 people have appeared in court in Oldham in connection with disturbances in the town over the bank holiday weekend.

All but one of the group were white males. Seven were charged with racially aggravated threatening behaviour, three with threatening behaviour and five with possessing offensive weapons.

One man was charged with being drunk and disorderly and one with a public order offence.

Sixteen of the men pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on bail to appear later next month.

Stephen Greenwood, 31, admitted carrying a metal bar, and was given a 100-hour community service order.

The one Asian defendant, Nazir Ishoq, admitted using abusive language at a police officer and was fined £200.

On Tuesday, eight Asian men appeared in court charged with violent disorder and were also released on bail.