A Belfast mother-of-six allegedly incited and filmed her 15-year-old son as he attacked police during three separate nights of rioting, the High Court heard on Thursday.
Prosecutors claimed she recorded the schoolboy throwing a petrol bomb, fireworks and masonry amid repeated episodes of violence on the city’s streets.
The 47-year-old accused also accompanied him when he targeted a migrant-owned cafe in racially-motivated disorder, a judge was told.
Crown counsel Fiona O’Kane said: “She has engaged in pretty scandalous conduct.”
Details emerged as the woman, who cannot be identified, was refused bail.
She is charged with three counts of riot and three counts of child cruelty by allegedly encouraging her son’s involvement in the unrest in breach of parental duties.
The court heard the pair were seen together watching the first disturbances at Broadway Roundabout in south Belfast on July 15.
Later that night the schoolboy was allegedly observed hurling bricks and a petrol bomb at PSNI Land Rovers.
“She was present throughout and filmed her son and was seen interacting with other rioters,” Mrs O’Kane submitted.
It was claimed that the boy took part in further violence the following night, throwing “dozens” of pieces of masonry, paint and shooting fireworks at police lines.
His mother was in attendance the whole time, according to the prosecution, interacting with rioters and filming the attacks.
She was spotted again taking part in anti-migrant demonstrations at around lunchtime on August 3.
Later that evening she remained at the scene as her son allegedly pelted police with rubble on Donegall Road and Sandy Row.
He was also observed carrying a firework towards a migrant-owned cafe business which was then set alight.
“This applicant was present throughout, approaching and speaking with her son on several occasions along with other members of the riot, some of whom were masked or wearing balaclavas,” counsel said.
“She was seen recording her son actively throwing masonry at police and even handed her phone to her son to film some of the disorder while she was still present.”
The court heard police have gathered extensive footage of her being in the area during the trouble.
“She was warned on several occasions to move away and she actually called police ‘f****** scumbags’,” Mrs O’Kane contended.
“She was laughing on other occasions, (including) when a stolen car was vandalised and set alight in front of her.
Disputing claims the defendant was not an active participant, the barrister insisted: “She was certainly encouraging and inciting her son to engage in the behaviour and seems by her own conduct to be encouraging other people.”
Police have seized and accessed the woman’s phone despite her declining to provide the passcode, the court heard.
During interviews she claimed to have been in the Broadway area last month looking for her son in a bid to get him away from the disorder.
Opposing bail, Mrs O’Kane insisted: “She has engaged in pretty scandalous conduct on three different dates, it’s not like this was a one-off in her lifestyle.”
The woman’s 15-year-old son faces a total of 12 charges in connection with his alleged role in the rioting.
He was granted release from custody on Wednesday, under conditions to stay out of Belfast and have no contact with his mother.
Counsel for the woman, Michael Boyd, said she is finding her detention a “harrowing experience”.
Mr Boyd described his client as a good mother who had dedicated her life to bringing up her six children.
A character reference from an unnamed community worker in support of the accused’s application stated that she is a “role model”.
Mr Justice McFarland refused bail.
“She is charged with very significant offences and as an encourager and potential ringleader. If guilty she could face a very significant sentence.”