Bristol schoolboy robbed child at knifepoint
A 16-year-old schoolboy who robbed a youngster of his bicycle at knifepoint in Horfield avoided jail yesterday.
The boy, who can not be named for legal reasons, was told by Judge Carol Hagan he had brought shame upon his family.
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A Bristol schoolboy robbed another child at knifepoint
The teenager had showed his 13-year-old victim a knife and threatened to stab him unless he handed over his valuable bike in Muller Road on September 9 last year.
Judge Hagan rejected an application by the Bristol Evening Post to name the youngster because of the seriousness of the offence.
The defendant, who was 15 at the time of the offence, had acted with another but the case against them was dropped.
The defendant admitted robbery but denied possession of a bladed article. He went to trial and was found guilty.
The victim had his bike returned to him the following day by the defendant but the frightening experience left him nervous and apprehensive.
Robin Shellard, defending, said that his client was only 15 at the time, had no previous convictions, and had shown remorse for his actions.
He added the ordeal lasted two minutes and the defendant had returned the bike after seeing the error of his ways.
"The court is dealing with a young man who made a spontaneous decision," Mr Shellard said.
"The pre-sentence report states that custody would be a considerable disruption to his life.
"This is a young man who has never been in trouble with police before."
Sentencing the boy, Judge Hagan said: "This robbery of a 13-year-old boy of his bike with a knife and a threat was made that he would be stabbed if he did not hand it over.
"It must have been very frightening and I also have to consider the long-term consequences for them."
Judge Hagan said the boy came from a stable family and he had no doubt they viewed his behaviour as "wholly unacceptable".
"It goes without saying that you have brought shame on your family and I think that you realise that.
"I hope these proceedings have been the strongest possible warning to you of what happens if you reoffend again."
The teenager was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a four-month tagged curfew between 7pm and 6am, 24 hours unpaid work and supervision.
He was also fined £250 and was ordered to pay a £15 surcharge to his victim.
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by Kathy, Old Market St, Bristol
Saturday, July 18 2009, 11:28AM
“I have just walked through Bristol this morning, on my way to the Central Library. An older lady was walking to get the bus that was parked ready to leave the stop. A group of young men where behind her and the comment I heard was let's mug her for her bus pass.
I appreciate the teenagers where larking about as I was walking towards them but the older smaller lady walking in front of them could only hear a lot of voices above her head.
I stopped the lads and asked them if they thought it highly amusing to make comments. I received the usual finger signs and lippy comments back.
But what if the lady had heart problems or other health issues and if they had each been on their own no comments would have been made. It takes a crowd to show off to.”
by jo, bristol
Friday, July 17 2009, 8:25PM
“i was recently walking threw hartcliffe with my 2 young children ( no im not from hartcliffe) when i was approached by a young boy of about 14 on a bike, he pulled up next to me and told me he was going to mug me for everything i had.....so i proceeded to tell him that if he so much as looked at my bag i would remove him from his bike and wrap it around his head a few times (obviously not in such a nice way but my post would be deleted if i wrote the full extent of my words)
it didnt even occur to me that he mite have attacked me with a knife i just thought hell with it thats my stuff i work hard for my money and im not about to let some rotten scumbag take it from me!!!!
needless to say he rode off and i carried on happily on my way with my money :)
dont think i would do it again though thinking about it”
by Dismayed, Bristol
Friday, July 17 2009, 5:39PM
“How long do you think it will be until the story comes out this kid has actually stabbed somebody and the justice system has yet again failed the people of Bristol? There is no deterrent for this scumbags and I bet he really is hanging his head in shame that he let his family down and had to part with his cheap cider and cigarette money. Send em to the frontline and lets see how hard they really are, he would soon be sobbing to come home!”
by stephen, bristol
Friday, July 17 2009, 1:39PM
“i agree about what has been said on here,these scum bags think and know they can get away with it,a few weeks ago i was teaching (driving instructor)when some kids who were about 16 /17 threw something at my car,i called the police ,all they said was we have warned them ,a telling off,big flipping deal,i said to the old bill next time i wont call them ,i,ll take a bat to them as it,s all they know ,i wont but thats how i feel,what do we have to do ,i know which way i would go,and its not handing out £15 finds ,we need some very very stiff justice”
by derek, Nuremburg
Friday, July 17 2009, 12:13PM
“Fined 15pound!I`ll bet he feels sick now after having to pay such a huge sum to his victim,Less than three packets of cigs.On what Planet is this judgess living.Such a deterrent to this young scum!”