A VILE yob who launched fireworks into a crowd of war veterans at a Remembrance Day service as a "mark of respect" has been jailed.

Squatter Stuart Potts, 38, set off two fireworks just after 11am yesterday in Eccles, Salford, as hundreds of people fell silent to remember our heroes.

7 Stuart Potts set off fireworks from an upstairs of a pub Credit: MEN Media

7 Police led him away after claims he'd let off the fireworks

The "loud bangs" left the crowd petrified - with one former Royal Marine with PTSD saying it reminded him of gunshots.

Dad-of-four Potts has now admitted a public order offence and for firing fireworks in to a public place at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court.

The lout, who has 21 previous convictions for 39 offences, shook his head today as he was jailed for 16 weeks.

JPs heard how Potts gave no comment in a police interview but claimed "someone asked him to do it and he believed it was a mark of respect".

'LACK OF RESPECT'

The thug also was also told to set off the fireworks as it was "similar to the guns that would be set off in London" for Remembrance Sunday.

Sentencing, Judge Mark Hadfield said: "Even if it is correct that you were handed them by another person, nobody in their right mind would think that letting them off in the middle of the ceremony shows a mark of respect.

"On the contrary, it shows a lack of respect.

"I have heard a statement from someone who served in the armed forces who was attending at this event. He thought it was gunfire.

“This has had a detrimental effect on him, and many others like him would have been shocked.”

'ABOMINABLE ACT'

Potts, who was dressed in a full camouflage outfit with an army-style shirt and cargo pants, was said to "provide shelter to the homeless by squatting in unused premises".

In a witness statement, one veteran, who was blown up twice during his time with the Marines, said his PTSD had been aggravated as the "loud bangs" sounded like gun shots.

"I was there to place a wooden cross for a friend killed in 1981.

"I was very angry. It's not something you expect to see.

"This was the most disrespectful act I have ever seen at a Remembrance Day parade.

"I can't understand why would do such an abominable act against a group of people like me who have or may have suffered like I have."

Prosecutor Beth Pilling said Potts launched the two fireworks just as the ceremony was beginning.

She said: "The first one let off numerous loud bangs similar to gun shots. The second one was a rocket-like firework which was let off about 15 feet above the crowds."

'GET HIM OUT'

The dad-of-four was arrested shortly after footage emerged of him sitting on a roof and window ledge of the disused Albert Edward pub near the town cenotaph.

Furious locals had yelled "get him out" and hurled traffic cones at him as people in military dress tried to get into the building.

A second man had appeared to come to the window and spit down at the furious crowd, before the first was eventually bundled into a police car by officers.

His disrespectful antics caused outrage among locals trying to remember those who gave their lives for their country.

One witness said: "They were just about to do the bugle call when I saw these fireworks coming from an upstairs window of the pub.

“There were about three or four rockets and they could easily have hit some of the veterans who were here.

“It was disgusting and showed a total lack of respect."

'COMPLETE IDIOT'

Potts was reportedly squatting and above the front door of the derelict pub a sign was stuck on that reads "Potsy 1664".

The yob has previously lived in a tent in the city centre and on the banks of the canal, where he fished for food and washed in the water with shower gel.

He has worked as a cobbler, locksmith, painter and decorator and in factories.

Potts has also listed previous spells in prison on his Facebook bio - including HMP Strangeways and HMP Kirkham.

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It came as Britain yesterday fell silent to remember our war heroes.

The Queen shed a tear as she was joined by Kate Middleton on the balcony of the cenotaph in central London where she watched the traditional wreath-laying service.

Hundreds of armed forces personnel were also in attendance alongside Cabinet ministers, religious leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations.

7 Potts said he believed it was a 'mark of respect'

7 Potts has been squatting at a local pub Credit: Cavendish Press

7 Angry locals threw a traffic cone up at the window at the man as he retreated Credit: MEN Media

7 Potts was arrested by police

7 Irate locals gathered below as after the minute-silence was allegedly disrupted Credit: MEN