The teen jumps from the crowd and attempts to grab the Olympic flame from torchbearer Anna Skora in Gravesend.

by Thom Morris

A teenager has today admitted attempting to grab the Olympic torch on its relay through Gravesend.

The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to a public order offence as well as assaulting torchbearer Anna Skora and a police sergeant, who suffered cuts and grazes when the torch hit him in the face.

Magistrates at Dartford Youth Court sentenced him to a four-month referral order - suggesting he write a letter of apology to the young Polish torchbearer.

The KM Group applied for reporting restrictions in the case to be lifted, but magistrates ruled the teenager should not be identified.

The court heard the stunt by the Gravesend teenager was a prank that went too far.

Despite shouting "Allahu Akbar" - Arabic for God is Great - as he made the grab in Rochester Road, the boy said he was not entirely sure what it meant during police interviews.

He said he had heard it on the television and when explained to him that it could have alarmed people he expressed "shock".

Magistrates were shown a YouTube clip of the grab and agreed to award compensation of £100 each to Anna Skora and the police officer, Rhys Peters.

Anna Skora pictured before the Olympic torch was grabbed from her in Gravesend. Picture: Martin Apps

The torch drama unfolded in a dramatic flashpoint as the convoy entered Gravesend on Friday, July 20.

A bystander dashed from the crowds and attempted to snatch the flame from 23-year-old Polish torchbearer Anna Skora.

The young man was quickly grappled away by Olympic officials running alongside the convoy.

Appearing in court today, the boy admitted two assault charges as well as a public order offence whereby his actions and words could cause alarm and distress to the public.

Matthew Quantrill, prosecuting, said: "The torch was being carried by Anna Skora and she was surrounded by Metropolitan Police and there were barriers with people watching and cheering the runners on.

"He rushed out of the crowd and ran towards the runner and went to grab the torch. As he was doing that, the torch was pulled in and struck a Metropolitan Police officer.

"he's a young gentleman that doesn't go out a lot, he spends time on his computer and he doesn't really leave the property…” – wayne crowhurst, defending

"He was then grabbed and bundled to the ground and the torch went on.

"He shouted 'Allahu Akbar' which can be used by Muslim extremists and is something that could have caused concern in those circumstances. Although the assaults are minor, the fear and concern it caused is a serious offence."

Mr Quantrill added: "Statements taken from people say he had been promising to disrupt the relay and that it would be funny to do it and stop the torch.

"It was the first time it came into his head, it wasn't planned.

"Allah Akbar was explained to him and that it can be seen as a terrorist threat by extremists, but it wasn't meant in that way.

"When he saw the footage he expressed shock. He denied causing injuries to the officer and there's no suggestion it was a deliberate assault. The torch was swung away when he went to grab it and the officer received a small graze and cut. The torchbearer didn't suffer any injuries."

Magistrates were then shown a YouTube clip of the incident.

Wayne Crowhurst, defending, said: "He has no previous convictions and even to this day he's still not 100% sure why he did it, he just thought it would be a good idea and ran out.

"He's about to study a college course in public services. He's a young gentleman that doesn't go out a lot, he spends time on his computer and he doesn't really leave the property."

The teenager appeared at Dartford Youth Court

Magistrate Nicholas Allan said his guilty plea was taken into account.

He said: "There will be a four-month referral order. That means within 15 days you must appear before a panel of people for good behaviour for the next four months.

"This might involve writing a letter of apology or some other work in the community."

The boy was also ordered to pay £85 costs.