A teenage rioter who hoped to avoid a custodial sentence because of his age has lost his appeal following confusion over his date of birth.

The youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was made the subject of an 18-month detention and training order by Bradford Youth Court after he admitted the riot charge.

He was let out on bail following an important Court of Appeal ruling, but after losing his own appeal yesterday the boy was returned to custody to complete his sentence.

It had been intended to appeal on the grounds that the teenager was just 14 at the time of the riots and therefore should not have received a custodial sentence, but it only emerged on Wednesday that his date of birth was in March 1986, making him 15 in July last year.

The Honourable Recorder of Bradford, Judge Stephen Gullick, who was sitting at Bradford Crown Court with a youth court magistrate, described it as "singularly unfortunate'' that the boy's hopes may have been raised.

The teenager's barrister, Tahir Khan, argued the 18-month detention and training order was still too long given the boy was only 15. But Judge Gullick said they had concluded the magistrates' sentence was wholly merited.