A MAN accused of pimping a 16-year-old boy tried to punch his co-defendant in dramatic scenes at Bolton Magistrates Court.

The incident happened as two men appeared in court charged with being involved in child prostitution.

Raymond Hawthorne, aged 49, and Ryan Dolby, aged 26, were in the dock when Dolby, of Dingle Walk, Bolton, threw a punch towards the face of his co-accused, Hawthorne, of Crescent Road, Great Lever.

The incident took place just as proceedings were starting today.

Three dock officers stood between the defendants throughout the rest of the hearing, during which the men spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.

Hawthorne has been charged with controlling prostitution for gain and controlling a child between the age of 13 and 17 involved in prostitution or pornography.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 5, last year and October 1, this year.

He is also charged with three counts of failing to comply with notifications of the sex offenders’ register and four counts of breaching a sexual offenders’ order.

Dolby is charged with being involved in the prostitution of a child who he did not believe was aged 18 or older.

The alleged crime is said to have take place between February 1, and July 31, this year.

The alleged victim is believed to be a 16-year-old boy.

Prosecutor Steve Woodman asked for the case to be adjourned and sent to Bolton Crown Court, which was agreed by District Judge Jonathan Finestein.

The men will appear at Bolton Crown Court later this month for preliminary hearing.

There were outbursts from the public gallery as the case was adjourned.