The grandfather of the 14-year-old Aboriginal boy whose death sparked violent protests in Kalgoorlie has urged people not to protest again on Thursday.
"Stop now" was the message Albert Doughty, 68, the grandfather of Elijah Doughty, had for those involved on Wednesday when glass walls at the Goldfields town's court were smashed, police were injured and police cars and shops damaged.
Teenager Elijah Doughty was found dead by police in bushland on Monday after an accident involving an allegedly stolen motorbike and Nissan Navara ute in Boulder.
There had been tensions in the town, which Mr Doughty said he believed motivated the crowd to protest.
"I was surprised by how violent it got, you don't see it around town," he told 6PR radio.
Mr Doughty said he and his wife tried to calm the crowd down, telling them to stop and go home, but they became increasingly agitated, chanting "justice".
He said the violence was brought on from frustration that the accused has been charged with manslaughter, rather than murder, for the death of his grandson.
A 55-year-old man who was driving the ute, and claims the motorbike Doughty was riding was stolen and belonged to him, has been charged with manslaughter.
When he appeared in Kalgoorlie on Tuesday protesters started throwing rocks and bottles at the courthouse.
The man, who cannot be identified, appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court in Perth on Wednesday via video link and had his case remanded until next month.
When questioned about plans for another protest on Thursday, his message to those involved was "stop now".
Mr Doughty said his grandson was a talented footballer who played for Kalgoorlie City.
